Tomorrow, I am off to Mindoro. *Happy-happy-joy-joy!*

It feels like I am going to heaven...
Okay, fine. Medyo over na iyon.
It just feels like I am going home again.

Yey!

There was this one night that I missed this person so much, but I just had to kept myself from texting him. So I texted other people instead. Happily, three other people kept the conversation up. One of them is a former student in the seminary from Mindoro and a friend. Talking with any of them always makes me happy. Maybe because they always offer a fresh perspective on many things. At the same time, I feel how much they adore me. Egotistic as it may be, they never fail to make me feel good about myself. Both physically ("Wala ka pang boyfriend? Walang nanliligaw? Imposible. Sa ganda mong iyan?") or wholly ("Gusto kitang kausap. Miss na kita.").

I really, really love them. As I said before, being with them feels like my dream of having a school for boys (like that of Jo March in Little Women) come true. And I just feel more relaxed when I am with them.

Right now, I decided to do a brainless job for work. Particularly fixing the Orientation Seminar pictures of the volunteers. Still, it gets kind of boring after a while. So here I am taking a fast break.

And off I go back to the pictures!

Solace wrote her last entry yesterday. Honestly, I feel kind of sad about it. But then, sometimes there just comes a time in my life where we just want to face the things happening to us on our own. Especially when it is something as special and as beautiful as a wedding.

Girl, even if the wedding is still a long way off, good luck and best wishes.

A FUNNY E-MAIL

Got it this morning from a volunteer. Hilarious!

Hello. Guess what. i was sick the other week and i got to thinking just how men behave when they are sick and after painstaking research (mainly because my head hurt when i was thinking of these things) i have been identified three types of male behavior. so . . . i guess i will just sit back now and wait for my award for this breakthrough behavioral science discovery :)

1. Superman – believes that there is no way he could be sick regardless of how evident the symptoms are and how bad he really feels. His magic words are, “I’m not sick.” He insists on going to work, playing sports or going out until he feels so bad he has to admit he has a ‘slight condition’ that may just land him in bed for a few days or in the hospital where he changes his behavior (see next two behaviors). Note: women nagging him about resting will only strengthen his resolve to go on. The best thing for a girl to do is to tell him once and then shut up. Wait until he admits he is sick and lay on the ‘I told you so” like all women do. It doesn’t help at all but I guess women like the "telling men ‘I told you so’" part.

2. Baby – self explanatory. Likes to be babied when sick. Perfect for women who love to mother men (meaning most if not all of the women in the world). Note: Women just make sure that the guys are not acting sick just to get a cuddle or something. Unless of course you want to give him a cuddle or something . . . but I guess that’s another story.

3. Dying Elephants – let me give a bit of a background. Dying elephants, from the little I know about elephants in general, separate themselves from the pack and go to a different place to lay down and die. There’s even a legend of a sacred elephant graveyard or something where all elephants go to die. Anyway, some men are like this and want to be left alone when they are sick.

Note: please allow me to answer some woman-questions here. NO, they don’t need anything at the moment since they will ask if they really need it. NO, they don’t want to talk about it. NO, it does not have anything to do with you. NO, he does not want some company right now. And NO, he cannot be a bit more sensitive right now . . . he is SICK remember? The best thing you can do is just kick him every now and then to make sure that he is still alive.

Hmm. What do you think? Just go ahead and suggest some more if you like.

You might be wondering what I am. It shouldn’t be too hard to guess I am a superman that reverts to a dying elephant when there is no choice.

to the central office, i saw the new website. congratulations. look greats! :)
hehe

mike juan

ANG NAGMAMASID
Minsan,
kapag natutulog ka na,
gusto ko lang na pagmasdan ka.
Kung paano maaninagan ng mga bituin
ang mga talukap mong nagkukubli sa iyong mga mata.

Minsan napapaisip,
“Sa iyong mundong nakaidlip
naroon din kaya ako sa mga panaginip mo?’

Minsan,
sa iyong payapang pagkakahiga
sa kamang satin
na siyang sasakyan mo
tungo sa pangarap,
ako’y nakikinig sa dahan-dahan mong paghinga,
sumasabay sa koro ng ibon at kuliglig
na tila awit ng gabi kapag bilog ang buwan
at nagdidiwang ang mga estrella.

Minsan,
mapapatigil ang mga mata kong
gutom sa iyong kagandahan
sa iyong labing nakatikom man,
ay may ngiti pa ring naiwan.
Tila ba tinatawag ako
sa katahimikan ng gabi.
Ako kaya’y makakatanggi?

...

Patuloy kitang pagmamasdan,
pabalik-balik, paulit-ulit
hanggang sa ako naman ang maidlip
nawa’y dala-dala ka sa aking panaginip.

ANG PINAGMAMASDAN
Minsan,
sa pagpikit ng akong nabibigatang mata,
nararamdaman kong tumititig ka.
Puso’y tila bumibilis sa kaba.

Minsan,
kahit antok ay nananaig na,
makatulog man, alam kong
sa panaginip kapiling ka.

Minsan,
may mga buntong-hingang sumisingit
sa ritmo ng aking pag-idlip.
Tila binibigkas ng kaluluwa,
“salamat at nariyan ka,
nagmamasid, patuloy kong kasama.”

At minsan,
muling lumulundag ang puso ko,
para bang sa panaginip ko
labi mo’y papalapit na.
Ang loob ko’y mapapangiti na.
matatanggihan ko ba?

…

Patuloy kong ninamnam iyong pagmamasid,
pabalik-balik, paulit-ulit
hanggang sa ikaw ay maidlip
nawa’y dala-dala ka sa aking panaginip.

08272002
12:36 PM
sta.anamanila

For those curious what a valkyrie really is.

Disclaimer: I am not blond, fair-skinned nor blue-eyed.

BUKIDNON SA DAPIT-HAPON

Nagkukulay-abo
ang puting-bughaw na langit.
Unti-unting yamayakap
ang malambing na ulap
sa berdeng kumot ng lupa.
Nalulusaw, naglalangkay
tungo sa panaginip.

Maging ang kristal na ilog
na humahaplos, naglalambing
sa kulay-kapeng bato ng bundok
ay pinagtatalik,
pinag-iisa
ng kanilang awit
sa pagsapit ng dapit-hapon
sa Bukidnon.

Kahit nanatiling nakatindig
ang matayog na niyog at gmelina,
manga at acacia
napapagod din sila.
Ang palay na maghapong nakayuko
sa langit pa rin tutungo
sa pagsapit ng dapit-hapon
sa Bukidnon.

Mga kaluluwang napagal sa maghapon
ay humihimlay sa dibdib ng gabing nananaig,
pupukawin na lang muli
sa pangingiliti ng umaga.

08132002
0956PM
Jesuit Retreat House – Malaybalay City

Pangantucan Community High School (the school where I taught during my volunteer year) won the Drum and Bugle Competition in this year's Kaamulan. But I never thought they would actually land in the internet. :)

Finally I was able to get myself to a hot oil treatment, care of my mom's goodwill. Also, I got my hair layered. Nice.
*****
My student from Pangantucan called me just a while ago. He seems to really want to see me. Nono is studying at STI Antipolo right now. This has been the nth time he changed schools since he kept on bungling up. It seems that he has finally kept straight. Hopefully, I get to see him sometime. :)

more quizzes


What color should your hair be?!
;

Created by Vurui!

PG-13

Now we're getting somewhere - your actions are
now past pre-teen level, and you're beginning to
display some more mature content in your life

"Which Movie Classification Are You?"
Test created by Jamie - take it here.

Hmm... maybe I should consider it...



what's your order?

Hah! Yeah right!
*****

But just for laughs, do you know that the Good Sheperd Sisters have my name on their list for search in. Man! Probably my mom's cousin who was a nun thought that I am a possible candidate given that I did volunteer work and I still do not have a boyfriend (or suitor, for that matter) for quite a while already.

Har! Those things do not necessarily mean my naughty streak isn't there. *evil grin*

The rowster has an interesting link... well, interesting for people like me who loves answering questions. :)

1. What is your current occupation? Is this what you chose to be doing at this point in your life? Why or why not?
Right now, I am Assistant Program Officer for Volunteer Service for Jesuit Volunteers Philippines Foundation, Inc. Yup, at this point, this is the job that I want to do. When I was a volunteer, I loved being with people and I loved traveling. After my year, I still wanted to continue with that sort of job with regular salary. APOVS seems to be it at that point. But it seems to me that that point of my life is about to end. Because of so many "signs" for the past months, I am trying to explore my other options.

2. If time/talent/money were no object, what would your dream occupation be?
A Lonely Planet or Travelers host, an underwater cinematographer, an independent film producer/director and a documentary producer.

3. What did/do your parents do for a living? Has this had any influence on your career choices?
My father worked for different positions for Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines. I did know that his work was quite different from the course he took which was Chemical Engineering. Mom sold educational books for a living. She even won the "Ten Most Outstanding Sales Person" of the year in 2000, I think. But before that she was a nurse.

Their work did not influence my career choice at all. That usually goes for kids with lawyers, doctors, artists or businesspersons for parents, I think.

4. Have you ever had to choose between having a career and having a family?
No and I hope that point won't ever come.

5. In your opinion, what is the easiest job in the world? What is the hardest? Why?
I agree with the rowster that a job becomes easy if you like doing it and hard if it's hard to wake up in the mornings. So I guess the easiest, feasible job for me would be a segment producer for shows or production staff for some production house. Hehehe! :)

Cool. I actually got linked to somebody I do not know personally. :)

Three hours to read all of my mail.

This is probably my tenth entry for the day. There are decent entries somewhere down there. This day is not just about surveys, ok?
*****
Row, thanks for telling me about the link. I couldn't connect with his blog though. Will try again later.
*****
Read about my drunken stupor last night. Somewhere down there.
*****
2 Million 30 online quizzes!

I am 14% evil. Take the test :: koolplace.com

Which Padmé Gown Are You? Quiz made by Lauren()



You are a HAGRID to Harry! The nice guy in the bunch. You're kind and very loyal to your friends. You TRY to keep secrets but they sort of just slip out. You like helping people out and making sure they're good. You may LOOK big and tough but you're just a softy inside. You also have this huge obsession with exotic animals...

Which adult in Harrys life are YOU?



What prep label are you?

~Find Your Inner Supermodel~


Which Season are you?


Which era in time are you?






Which Rainbow Brite kid are you? By Growing.

center>
~Find Your Beauty Aura~

a href="http://xerampelaine.com/quiz/stone/_quiz.htm" target="_blank">


Which Magic
Stone are you? by. Xera

	You are Fozzie! Wokka Wokka! You love to make lame jokes. Your sense of humor might be a bit off, but you're a great friend and can always be counted on..
Take the What Muppet Are You? Quiz!

The Band Quiz By Rahel

"Songs that..."

reminds you of an ex-lover: hmmm... I didn't know I was looking for love by EBTG because it was his song for me.
reminds you of an ex-friend: have no song for her
makes you cry: With a Smile by Eraserheads would you believe? teary-eyed lang naman.
makes you laugh: hmmm... build me up buttercup when sang with friends
reminds you of the one you want: dance with me
you wish you wrote: Huwag Kang Mangako ng Kailanpaman ni Gary Granada and Kanlungan by Buklod
you never want to hear again: Froggy Afternoon and any Vengaboys song
you want to get married to: ayay! have not given this a thought. definitely not hopelessly devoted to you, though! hehehe!
makes you want to mosh: firestarteror smack my bitch up by prodigy, and that one song by chemical brothers that i do not know the title of
sums up your teenage years: hahaha! more of a group than a song. Smokey Mountain!
you used to hate but now love: Aegis songs. My students just loved it and I enjoyed listening to them with them
you like to wake up to: anything singable, I guess.
you like out of your parents record collection: Nat King Cole
you love that you wouldn't know about if it wasn't for a friend: Josh Groban because my boss kept playing him
makes you think of someone who died?: Gone Too Soon and that one that starts with "it's not how long we held each other's arms."
you love the video more than the tune: most Michael Jackson and Madonna songs
reminds you of your first crush: nothing's gonna change my love for you. BADUY!
you love which is from your favorite movie: Hmmm... Stand By Me
makes you think of the moon: The Nearness of You and Bilog na naman ang Buwan of Tropical Depression
makes you think of stars: Twinkle, Twinkle little star. Hehehe!
makes you think of the sun: Walking on the Sun by Smash Mouth which is I think originally by the Beatles
makes you think of the night: Gabi na Naman, by SAM (Raffy's band in college)
makes you think of sex: Let's talk about sex?
makes you think of being alone: Ang Himig Natin by Juan dela Cruz Band
you love to hear at clubs: don't go to clubs
has only been released recently but you love already: Sarangola sa Ulan by Gary Granada

More surveys excavated from solace's file:

WHAT/WHO (is/are)
[In my mouth]: Saliva (thank God, it's not a who! hehehe!)
[In my head]: kelan ko kaya matatapos ang mail ko?
[Wishing]: i finish my mail na and get to do my homework
[After this]: take another bath
[Talking to]: Myself...
[Eating]: wish i was eating blueberry cheesecake
[Do you like candles]: yup
[Do you like hot wax]: ???
[Do you like incense]: haven't really tried lighting one
[Do you like the taste of blood]: yup
[Person you wish you could be with right now]: hahaha! i'm deciding whether D or the guitar man
[What/Who is next to you]: maybe an invisible ghost
[What do you want done with your body when you die]: Cremated.
[Do you believe in love]: Of course.
[Do you believe in soulmates]: yeah, i guess i still do
[Do you believe in love at first sight]: Nope.
[What's something that you wish people would understand]: the they are really good inside
[What's something you wish you could understand better]: people's psyches
[What's one thing you want to make happen for tomorrow]:my paper

IF YOU COULD BUILD YOUR HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE? Mindoro, somewhere near Lake Naujan. Palawan would be a great place for a resthouse
WHATS YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING FOR LOUNGING? shorts and shirt
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PHYSICAL FEATURE OF THE OPPOSITE SEX? eyes and hair
WHAT'S THE LAST CD THAT YOU BOUGHT? don't remember
WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE? Mindoro and maybe Davao because of the people there, Bindum because of the beautiful experience it gives me everytime I am there.
WHERE'S YOUR LEAST FAVORITE PLACE TO BE? Manila
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE MASSAGED? shoulders and back
WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING? around 7 AM
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOWS? Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Ally McBeal, The Wonder Years, Tabing Ilog, Rugrats and Hey Arnold
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CHILDHOOD MEMORY? playing in the mud
WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? kids, funny experiences of JVPs, my wicked sisters,
WHAT MAKES YOU REALLY ANGRY? people who are insensitive.
IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT WHAT WOULD IT BE? guitar and flute
FAVORITE RESTAURANT/CAFE/EATERY? Gayuma in Katipunan, Blugre in Davao
FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK? The Little Prince, The Missing Piece, The Missing Piece meets the Big O.
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE HOUSEHOLD CHORE? cleaning the bathroom
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Telepathy
USING ONLY ONE WORD, DESCRIBE YOURSELF? Me

Man, whenever I get my hands on blogger, I just can't stop writing. Hope I can find more surveys. I love answering them while waiting for the other windows to open. Thanks for solace who has a lot of them on hers. :)

It's almost my second hour on the internet and I don't think I am halfway through my inbox.
*****

Right now, I feel so sleepy and tired. But I can't fall asleep that is why I'm reading my mail. I am also too lazy to make my TMA for class which was due last August 10.
*****

We might be moving to Sta. Mesa. Tomorrow, we will be looking at the condo unit. I just hope to God that it will be near Katipunan, though honestly between Sta. Mesa and Sta. Ana, I prefer to stay here.
*****

Eo is not around by the way, he is still in Cebu. Sob!
*****

Pleasant surprise! Just received a letter from my student in Pangantucan greeting me a happy birthday. She actually remembered. This is the student that took up BSE English instead of BSE Filipino after having me for her English teacher. Wow! I am so flattered. I better remember to write her back. Especially if my address might change.

God! 150 messages in my Inbox!

I have a new audience for my on-line journal. Welcome, Bayani! Suwerte gyud ka bai kai dili gyud nako gipanghatag ang address sa akong journal. Basta, ato-ato ra ning mga mabasa nimo.

*****
Last night was the most drunk I have been for quite a time and I LOVED IT! Thanks to Yani and Yam-Yam for sharing that embarassing yet joyful moment in Iloilo. I was totally aware that we were getting stares from the more conservative people of the place. All three of us kept hugging each other and dancing to the music. We toasted our drinks, we toasted our cigs, we kept blaming Red, the bartender for getting us drunk, we kept on professing our love for each other. It was really happy hubog (drunk, in Bisaya) for me. After two and a half margaritas, there were no palpitations and just a slight itch. That made me so happy. So happy that I got warm and red all over (including my toes). Or that might have just been the effects of alcohol on me. :)

In The Last 48 Hours, Have You:

01. Cried: Nope.
02. Bought something: Butterscotch pastries in Biscocho Haus in Iloilo for pasalubong, and drinks from Salsa (the bestest bar in Iloilo!)
03. Gotten sick: Just felt sick after two and a half margaritas.
04. Sang: while watching my myx.
05. Eaten: d-uh!
06. Been kissed: ayay! no, noh!
07. Felt stupid: i think i was supposed to feel stuped last night during my drunken stupor, but honestly no.
08. Wanted to tell someone you loved them, but didn't: nah, last night was a profession of love night, di ba Yani?
09. Met someone new: this fat guy kept on trying to introduce himself, but i didn't really care and then there were the nice, rowdy high school seminarians of Yam.
10. Moved on: ???
11. Talk to an ex: no
12. Missed an ex: no
13. Talked to someone: with so many people... to many in fact.
15. Missed someone: yeah
16. Hugged someone: yeah, di ba Yani? di ba Yam?
17. Fought with your parents: she wasn't around to fight with.
18. Dreamed about someone you can't be with: i was too drunk to remember my dreams

Social Life:
01. Best female friend: the rowster
02. Best male friend: D
03. Boyfriend/Girlfriend: he's still out there wondering where in the world i am
04. If no, current dating partner: not into dating
05. Hobbies: reading books, traveling, watching TV, writing when in an inspired mood, on-line journal
06. Pager: d-uh! out of date.
07. Are you center of attention or the wallflower: somewhere in between.
08. What type automobile do you drive: In my head, a Wrangler jeep or any passable 4-wheel drive.
09. What type automobile do you wish you drove: see previous answer
10. Would you rather be with friends or on a date: FRIENDS!
11. Where is the best hangout: it depends on which part of the country you are in. In Davao, Matina Town Square; In Iloilo, Salsa and Cicada (but Salsa is better); IN Cagayan de Oro, the Site and Excite; In Mindoro, the seminary; In Manila, 70's Bistro
12. Do you have a job: Yep.
13. Attend church: Occasionally.
14. Do you like being around people: in general, yes.

Who:
01. Have you known the longest: my elementary classmates, but i lost touch with them when I was in college, so kung yung mga in-contact pa rin ako, Precious.
02. Do you argue the most with: my sister
03. Do you always get along with: adette, maita and dove.
04. Is the most trustworthy: adette.
05. Makes you laugh the most: many of the volunteers
06. Has been there through all the hard times: the rowster.
07. Has the coolest parents: must be Bayani, though I haven't met them yet.
08. Has the coolest siblings: Jonas, I guess.
09. Is the most blunt: Bok.
10. Is the smartest: Rowie

Personal:
01. Who is your role model: Jesus, though not consciously.
02. What are some of your pet peeves: knuckle cracking, spitting on the ground and guys with their shirt up exposing their belly portion
03. Have you ever liked someone you had no chance with: Of course.
04. Have you ever cried over the opposite sex: I'm only human.
05. Do you have a "type" of person you always go after: They usually end up the same type but I have a wide range of preference
06. Have you ever lied to your best friend(s): Yes.
07. Ever wanted to get revenge on someone because they hurt you: yes
08. Rather be dumper or dumped: Dumper.
09. Rather have a relationship or a "hookup": relationship.
10. Want someone you don't have right now: I'm not sure if I want him.
11. Ever liked your best friend: Yes, he was my first BF.
12. Do you want to get married: something I still have to think about.
13. Do you want kids: another thing I am thinking about.
14. Do you believe in psychics: yeah.
15. Do you believe you know the person whom you will marry at this point in time: no
16. What is your favorite part of your physical appearance: my neck
17. What is your favorite part of your emotional being: tough question... my loyalty, i guess. does that answer this question
18. Are you happy with you: Yes, though I know there's still a lot of room to grow! (I agree with solace)
19. Are you happy with your life: In general, yes.
20. If you could change something in your life right now, what would it be: a high-paying job that I love. Right now, it is only the love part that I have. Which is good in itself already. :)

Location: Jaro, Iloilo

Arrived here yesterday. Slept in the seminary. Sat in the classes of the volunteer there. Made me miss my own days at the seminary. Therefore, I will definitely go to Calapan right after I visit the volunteers in Mindoro. Just to see how they are doing. Bayani is reading my entry as I write it. Okay lang. Nothing sensitive so far.

I think I got drunk last night. Bayani says he knows I did. At least, I got to finish my frozen lemon margarita on my own, this time. And it subsided before I had to go out of the bar. Unlike the last time, when my wicked sister had to walk me around Ayala Center to get it out of my system.

*****
The Ateneo server really loads slowly outside Manila. Argh!

*****
I'm actually having fun here in Iloilo

Solace, thanks for the wedding invitation. It would be one of the weddings I would really, really want to go to. Just like yours, Ganns. (I do hope I'm invited. Hehehe!).

By the way, naglabo ako ng mais. It is where one separates the ears of a dried corn from the cob. My thumbs have blisters right now so it's a little difficult to text. Hehehe!

fifteen minutes before i catch my next bus.
nagsisimula na akong mapagod sa palit-palit ng sasakyan sa isang araw. hay!

Bindum is my most favorite of all areas (excluding Mindoro of course). It is so remote, not even the detailed Bukidnon map that includes barangays, has its name on it because it is only a small sitio the last marked barangay of Malaybalay. Why do I love it? I guess it is the typical idea of what you want your JVP year would be. Living together with the natives, learning their crafts, teaching literacy, spending time with the community, no electricity (except for some houses that uses solar panels). That was how I imagined my year but then God has other plans for me, I guess.

Anyway, while I was there I learned one technique of bead-making and even made my own design of a fish. It was the first time the natives saw a design like that. Most of them makes geometric designs or name designs. I was so proud of that fish design. :)

But it was spending time with the lumad kids that really made my stay there wonderful. They knew me from before but it was the first time that I did spend a whole day with them. They were really malambing. Hopefully, the kids will be able to give the volunteers there constant assurance that they mean something. The place can be really lonely if you stay for a long period of time.

Bindum is also reachable ONLY by motor from St. Peter. It takes the same time to get there as it is to Miarayon. But these are 45 minutes of rocky roads (as in boulders, stones, pebbles and gravel on one path), mud, dust and bridges cutting through denuded forests, reforested areas, small sitios, corn fields, and mountains. The ride offers more spectacular sight. There is this one part that I really, really love. You could see the river snaking its way through the mountains and valleys.

The whole of Bukidnon actually reminds of of the Little Prince. The boy with hair the color of corn. Corn fields in Bukidnon are VAST.

Hmm... my story has no cohesion. Forgive me.

Anyway... yesterday we asked the driver to fetch us from Bindum, 8 AM. It was already 9 AM, he still has not arrived. My companion decided that we walk. My pack was heavy, but I decided to go ahead. It would be a two-hour walk. If I get to finish that carrying my pack, I think I will try out for a mountaineering club. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we met the motor along the way. So the ride was more comfortable.

There. I really have no point to this.

I decided to cut my entries just in case this computer hangs on me.

Wednesday, I went up to Miarayon, Bukidnon. One of my favorite areas in terms of place. The place was way colder than Baguio and boasting of amazing sunsets. Plus, getting there is always an adventure. The jeep only reaches until Kibanggay which is still 45 minutes away from Miarayon. So either you wait for a vegetable truck, ride a motor or get lucky that a jeep will be going there. Most of the time, the volunteers there wait for the truck because it is for free, but the schedule is erratic. I prefer riding the motor because that was more exciting with the whole view of Bukidnon exposed before your eyes. But that costs a hundred pesos. That day I got lucky because the priest had somebody fetch me by pick-up in Kibanggay.

Anyway, the days I was there were so cold because of the strong winds. Whenever I took a bath, I steamed. Fun! But the cold can be really torturous at times.

The worst thing that happened was I got my period there. Having my period there was not bad, but the idea that the next day I would be travelling again, on motors and jeeps without the assurance of a clean bathroom just got me worried. I didn't have enought clothes as it is. But well, that is part of the adventure.

My newest Miarayon discovery: It is not fun to ride a motor when you have a very heavy load. Man! How my shoulder ached from carrying my boulder backpack. The view was spectacular but I could not appreciate it fully because the pack was so darn heavy. But it was an interesting experience nonetheless.

Location: Fahrenheit Internet Cafe, Malaybalay, Bukidnon

The internet here is so slow. Just like the pace of the life of the people living here. Anyway, it has been five days since I had any signal because I just came down from the remote barrios in the mountains of Bukidnon.

Last Tuesday, my area visit to Kadingilan was cancelled because the volunteer was asked to return to Davao. So I texted my co-teachers from Pangantucan who were already working here in Malaybalay. I found out that she was already teaching in Impasug-ong, another municipality about 45 minutes away. She asked me to visit her, so I did. Man, I got lost in the way. I ended up going to Kalasungang National High School which was this small public school located in the innermost depths of a small barrio. It was a nice walk though. And the school was actually nice. There were houses on stilts in the middle of the fish pond. After caller her up, I was able to go to the school she was teaching. It was also nice of her to go back with me to Malaybalay to visit another old co-teacher.

Sometimes, I get amazed by the different types of people I interact with. Never would have I thought that I would be good friends with kindly provincial lasses. At the same time, I constantly get amazed by the kindness of heart of some people and the hospitality they have for others. Anyway, the most interesting news I have gotten was all my co-teachers all have boyfriends already. Even our male co-teacher. Hehehe! Only the JVPs are still happily single. Hahaha!

MORE.

[Spell your name backwards] eigna
[Where do you live?]: sta.ana.
[Describe yourself in 4 words]: tired, sleepy, full and wondering
[If you could have any animal for a pet, what would it be?]: a persian cat that i will not be allergic to.
DESCRIBE YOUR [Wallet]: red, something that is not me. my coin purse is more me. ethnic.
[Brush]: old
[Jewelry worn daily]: dangling earrings (occasionaly), black and yellow bead bracelet, brown macrame bracelet, bead necklace
[Pillow cover]: what ever the helper puts on
[Blanket]: striped and various shades of blue
[Sunglasses]: the only one i ever had and still have is a gift from an advertising officemate: blue and octagonal. tama ba naman yun!
[Underwear]: favorites are bench and penshoppe and jockey and hanes her way.
[Shoes]: boots.
[Handbag]: hopefully i do not get caught wearing one
[Favorite top]: baby tees
[Favorite pants]: my gap khakis
[Cologne/Perfume]: none.
[Wearing]: white shirt, gray loose pants
[Makeup]: none

I'm in the mood to waste my internet hours on surveys. From the archives of solace:

What facial feature do you find the most attractive on others? Eyes
Would you marry for money? No!
Have you had braces? Nope.
Do you pluck your eyebrows? No.
Do you ever cut or hurt yourself? When I am really, really frustrated about things around me.
Could you live without a computer? Yeah. On second thought... Well, give me a typewriter. I could live with that I guess.
If you could live in any past time period, which would it be? 60/70s so I could wear all those vintage peasant blouses! Love 'em.
Do you drink enough water? Not when I travel. Clean CRs are hard to find.
Do you wear shoes in the house or take them off? Barefoot!
What is your favorite fruit? Mangosteen and mangoes
What is your favorite place to visit? Well, I would love to live in Mindoro. In the meantime, I love visiting it. Tagaytay, Naga City and maybe Davao na rin.
What is the last movie you saw? This is so embarassing: Pakisabi na lang mahal ko siya, when I was in Davao
Are you photogenic? Sometimes.
Do you dream in color or black and white? Black and white
Are you wearing fingernail polish? Nope.
Why do you take surveys? I like answering questions.
Do you drink alcohol? Occasionally.
Did you like or do you like high school? Char lang. Keri.
What is the most beautiful language? I love listening and reading Spanish. I regret not taking it in college.
When you are asleep do you like being kissed awake? Yes
Do you like sunrises or sunsets the most? Sunsets. :)
Do you want to live to be 100? No way. Dying by 40 is okay by me.
Do you think women should be expected to shave their body hair? Nope.
Is a flat stomach important to you? Honestly, yes.
Do you or have you played with a ouija board? Nope. i don't believe in messing with spirits. They should be allowed their peace.
Are you tolerant of other people's beliefs? Very.
When you watch movies at home, do you like the lights on or off? On.
Do you believe in magic? Yup.
Do you think you can draw well? No!
Do you like to watch cartoons? My favorite channels of all are Nickoledeon and Disney
At what age did you find out that Santa Claus wasn't real? I don't think he's not real until now.
Do you write poetry? yes.
Do you snore? I honestly don't know.
Do you sleep more on your back, front, or sides? Sideways.
Would you rather have a poodle or a rottweiler? St. Bernard!
Are you basically a happy person? Brooding is more like it. But most people see me as happy.
Are you tired? Yes! If you travel five to six hours a day on a bus everyday, you would be too!
Did you drink anything with caffeine in it today? For some reason, I have been drinking more and more coffee.
Have you ever met anyone off the internet? Just text.
How many phones do you have in your house? Two land lines.
How long is your hair? Up to my shoulder blade.
Do you get along with your parents? sometimes.

Things aren't looking up with some of the business I have to do during these trips. There is a peace and order problem right now in Miarayon, Bukdnon while I have to look for another area that needs volunteers. Later, I will be contacting Mindoro for that.

*****
With all the screw-ups in my schedule, Mike offered to help out in arranging my tickets in Davao while I was away. That was so nice of him. :)

Might as well copy rowie and ganns.

Things I to be thankful for today:
1. An excuse to buy new jeans. Hehehe!
2. A snack date with a JVP batchmate.
3. Meeting up with JVP friends tonight.
4. Lunch date with the volunteer.
5. Walking under drizzle. (I love doing this, especially in the province!)

This lousy internet shop cannot connect to mail.ateneo.net. Hmmmmph!

Location: Divisoria, Cagayan de Oro

Just finished meeting with a a JVP batchmate because she is the supervisor of one of our volunteers in Bukidnon. Funny thing is we ended up talking about our batchmates and the wonderful experience of JVP. Much was catching up on our lives. Fortunately, we really did not have to worry about the volunteer there because she has always been doing good work. Not much guilt on not talking business. Hehehe!

*****
I really like Cagayan de Oro, even when I was still a volunteer in Bukidnon. The only thing that I really, absolutely abhor about it are the JEEPS. They drive like maniacs! Speeding up then breaking down. The friction just destroys the seat of my pants. Also, they keep on pretending that they are ready to leave the terminal. Once you ride, they move forward a little then back up again. Grrrr!

*****
Yesterday, I met up with one of my former students in Bukidnon. He seem to be doing well with his studies. At the same time, he has been able to keep a good head in his shoulders even if his boardmates (who were also former students) are into drugs and multiple relationships. Even after three years, he has been loyal to his girlfriend in Pangantucan. Whether they really get together or not does not matter to me. The fact that he can keep loyal makes me happy. :)

ooooh! I hope I get to see a lot when I am in Bukidnon.

SOOOOOOOOO TIIIIIIIRRRRRED!

When I got to Gen San from Lake Sebu, I badly needed to go. There were not any comfort rooms in the terminal so I took a 15 minute trip to Gaisano GenSan. Probably the only Gaisano mall that I haven't been to.

Gen San looked like an interesting city. I've never seen so much tuna in my life. Their wet market was around two blocks big. Colorful tricycles ruled the city. I think, I even saw that place that was bombed months ago. But then, I think the outskirts of Gen San is way much interesting than the city itself.

*****

On the way to Gen San from Davao, you get to pass by this beautiful valley where rivers snake through fields of coconut, rice and citrus. It goes on for miles and miles. The volunteeres who used to be in Lake Sebu called it Jurassic Park. For me, it felt more like Land Before Time.

*****

I am so dizzy.

Just arrived from my trip to Lake Sebu. It was so damn tiring. About 8 hours all in all and the objective that we wanted to have was not met. Sheesh! Fortunately, I love the place. Somehow, that diminished the tiring feeling. I spent more time on the road going and leaving from there than actually being three.

I did get to buy those native belts that I have wanted. It's like having a bracelet around your tummy.

Tomorrow, I am once again on my way to Cagayan de Oro. The thought of being on a bus for another ten hours in broad daylight just makes me feel a little more down. Sheesh! But people are waiting for me there. So that kind of makes the trip worth it.

I am not: in a good mood right now.
I hurt: when it's that time of the month.
I love: the rain, the sun, the beach, the sky... nature
I hate: worrying about my studies.
I fear: I might fail my classes/class/
I hope: to be the best I can be.
I crave: blugre blueberry cheesecake. I haven't had lunch.
I regret: not taking lunch in Gen San because I am so hungry.
I cry: during JVP seminarys.
I care: for a lot of things.
I always: read therowster', solace', ganns', pau's and raffy's on-line journals when I am on the internet.
I long: to get a nice warm bath and have bluegre blueberry cheesecake.
I feel alone: right now.
I listen: to people who needs listening.
I hide: when I don't want to be seen.
I drive: people crazy.
I sing: when I like to.
I dance: a lot.
I write: when I am in the mood.
I breathe: all the time.
I play: X-Box
I miss: eo and my mom and my dad.
I search: for my meaning.
I learn: how it is to go around Davao.
I feel: tired.
I know: it will be a tiring month.
I say: chuva all the time.
I succeed: ?
I fail: in some things.
I dream: of weird things.
I wonder: if I will ever feel rested.
I want: to eat blugre blueberry cheesecake.
I worry: about my mom.
I wish: that I could eat blueberry cheesecake right now. and that I could take a bath.
I have: a headache.
I give: gifts a lot. Little ones anyway.
I fight: when I have to.
I need: to eat.

What kind of Drug Addict are you?

Gosh, my schedule is a mess. My trip has been extended by three more days. Sheesh.
What I don't like is the idea that I have to re-set all my meetings because of that emergency case I have to handle. Fortunately, I love the place that I will be going to tomorrow.

I need your thoughts on this. I'm thinking of dropping one of my classes because I don't think I can handle it with my schedule right now. This month, I will be missing out on two assignments already. That means even if I do well on my papers, I won't get good grades because I'm late. So what do you think?

Right now, I am in Davao City. Just this morning, I was in Davao del Norte visiting several barangays that the Jesuit Volunteer there was servicing. There are a lot of interesting stories to hear about the barangays there. Small-town politics is as hot as it is in the national level. One barangay called Minda, is an interesting case because everyone there is employed by the banana plantation of 2000 hectares owned by Tadeco. Their housing, education, salary, benefits (from maternal to 13month pay) and all else are covered by the company. They are even provided free 70 kilowatts of electricity a month. Life seems to be great for the people yet they can not have meetings or community gatherings unless there is consent from Tadeco. The barangay captain is just a dummy, when in fact, the company is running the lives of the people there. But then, if you think about it, the people there are way much better than those who have their own land yet crops often fail. This is something I have to ponder about more.

Thanks, solace, for appreciating the poems. :)

Late last night, mom was unpacking her clothes while I was packing my bags.

This blog might be quiet for three weeks since I will be going to Mindanao. My stops would be Davao, Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo and Mindoro. Tagaytay would be for rest.

I just hope I get to find time to read my books and rest a little. Sheesh! Studying seemed to have made life more stressful for me. Sigh! But that is another story. Sigh!

Yesterday, a good friend from the theater treated me out for my birthday. Not just coffee and dinner but also clothes and book-shopping spree. When we met at Starbucks he already had a gift ready, freshly bought from Tower Records. Two black shirts, one Lord of the Rings and the other one, Harry Potter. Galing! Then we went around National Bookstore to get some books. We couldn't find Neil Gaiman's "Sandman's Book of Dreams," so we just bought "The Fifth Mountain" by Paulo Coelho, "Animal Farm" by George Orwell and "Lord of the Flies" by Whazisnameiforgot. Afterwards, we went to get a batik blouse from an ethnic store in Greenbelt.

Actually, I was kind of hesitant to take on the shopping spree offer for my birthday because it seemed too extravagant. But he insisted anyway, saying that he should spend more on his good friends than girls he barely knows. Yeah, whatever. But I did have fun with his company.

Last night was actually kind of fun. Haven't shopped in a long time, eh.

Battle of the sequels. Check out the latest trailer of "The Two Towers" and "The Chamber of Secrets."

Dobby, the house elf, looks like a malnourished Yoda. Except with an inversely proportional IQ to the Jedi Master.

*grin*
great week.
*grin*

but... i did forget my umbrella in the fx.

but...
*grin*
great week.
*grin*

These are the poems I gave to Gary. :)

noel. bayang. gary. joey.
o kayong nasa bistro.

sumasayaw na naman
ang iyong mga daliri
sa gitara mong
siyang entablado nila.

sa pagpikit
ng mga nangungusap
mong mga mata,
nakikita kung paano mo
sisirin ang kalaliman
ng kalawakan
upang mahanap
ang mga salitang
bibigkas
sa hinagpis
at pangarap
ng aking
kamalayang
naghahanap
ng katuturan
at kahulugan.

sa pag-ahon ng
tinig mo sa ingay
ng nagsasalpukang bote
at nagkukuwentuhang puso,
tinatangay ang damdaming
matagal nang
dinurog ng panahon.

ang iyong awit
ang siyang
muling naghahabi
ng aking pira-pirasong
kaluluwa.

May 1, 2002

noel. gary. joey. bayang.
o kayong mga nasa bistro. 2.

dahan-dahan
ang paghiwa sa aking
pusong luhaan,
ng talas ng hiyaw
ng mahiwaga mong gitara.


tila mas pinalalim pa ang
sugat ng kaluluwang
binabagabag ng tinig mo --
tinig mong
tila hinugot sa karagatan
ng pighati
o marahil ay
nagmula sa kabundukan
ng hinagpis.


walang magawa
kungdi bumigay sa
pait na iniiwan sa bibig,
hindi ng serbesang malamig,
kungdi ng katotohan
ng napiling salita
para sa iyong awit --
awit ng mga binuong himig
mula sa kalawakan,
mula sa kawalan.
hinabi ng pawis,
luha (minsan ngiti)
at karanasang hindi iyo lamang.
hinabi ng kinakalyong daliri
at mapaglarong isip.


walang magagawa pa
kungdi tumahimik
at pumikit
na lamang.
at hayaang
sakupin,
lunurin
ng iyong
musika...


june 19, 2002
11:42 PM