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There’s a song that can describe me right now, and it isn’t remotely related to my being sick. That song is Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold,” which is too funny for its own good, but which I can’t laugh at without letting out a sneeze.

I’ve been sick for two days already. Yesterday, it wasn’t severe, but as night came (and the coughing became more frequent), I realized that I would soon be conquered by the common cold. Today I have a box of tissue beside me (and a roll of tissue paper behind it as back-up) and the sound of my nose-blowing is distracting Dad from his movie. (He’s watching Cinemax in my room.) Dad is sick too, by the way. So is Mom.

You can tell that my life is really interesting. Since I graduated from high school—an event I’d love to write about, but that my headache prevents me from doing—I’ve been hanging out with my YFU friends, taking quizzes on Facebook (What do you think of FB’S new layout? Like it or hate it?), and e-mailing my friends from abroad. Besides that, I’m completely idle, and therefore not a poster child for summer fun. I do blame my cold, though, and the heat. Once I’m completely well, I’ll be up and running around the house, heading off to Boracay, and partying (or, well, eating, which is my class’ version of partying). Yessss!

While I have the option to bore you a little more, I think I ought to leave and take a much needed nap. I now leave you with the aforementioned video (and the hope that my cold will be gone, gone, gone by the day after tomorrow)…

Cheers! 8D

I spent the first Monday of Summer exactly the way I wanted it—with friends, fun, food, and fast rides! My blockmates and I finally visited Enchanted Kingdom—something we’ve wanted to do since freshman year but never had the chance to. Finally, finally! It was a really awesome way to start the break.

We arrived just before the park opened, at around 130. Luckily, students get a huge discount off the entrance tickets, and we ended up paying only 275 bucks instead of the usual 400! We entered the park eager to get on the rides!

The heat was close to unbearable, but Anchor’s Away was calling! I love the strange feeling you get in your tummy when the ship moves! We sat on opposite ends of the ship so we could see each other’s faces on the ride.

Spot my friend Iyai taking our photo!

We rode the Flying Fiesta (which I also love!), the RollerSkater (yaaay mini rollercoaster! but it was such a quick ride :(), went to the Rialto (this was a teeny bit boring.), and even rode the Carousel! It was so amusing to see ourselves, especially the guys, ride the teeny little horses that go up and down. Hahaha.

We were sort of killing time waiting for the Rio Grande Rapids to open, since that was everybody favorite ride. And with the sweltering heat, who could resist water rides? We lined up for the Rapids despite the long, long line. After one round, we decided to take a break to grab a bite, then found out that the Space Shuttle had already opened! But since we’d just eaten, we decided to go to the Log Jam first, since we were already wet anyway.

After that, we headed straight to the Space Shuttle—the most awaited ride of all! Everyone except my friend Patrick gamely went on the ride. I was feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, but I was mostly excited, since rollercoasters are one of my favorite things on earth! Aaaah. Give me a rollercoaster over a make-me-dizzy ride anytime. I’ll choose the Space Shuttle over that Hot Air Balloon ride thing - that ride makes me want to hurl We went for another round of the rollercoaster, but everyone got drained after. So we decided to go on the Rapids again, since everyone was still so eager to get wet!

…And we didn’t stop until we were all soaked! We kept running back to the start of the line after the ride, and thankfully, each time, the line got shorter. After around 7 or 8 rounds, we were all drenched and happy. Hahaha.

After freshening up, it was almost closing time, and we had time for one last ride.  We ended up going on the Wheel of Fate, and got such a beautiful view of the whole park, with all the lights lit!

We left the park hungry, and everyone was craving for Jollibee!  We finally found an open branch close to home after passing by several closed ones. We ended our day exhausted, sleepy, and full.

But still happy.

This is the start of a good summer. I can already see it.

Last Friday, I had my early grad blow-out for my relatives from my father’s side. I was hesitant to do it because I’m scared of jinxing myself since I haven’t actually graduated. UP graduation is really late; it’s on April 26. Since it was so late, some of my relatives from abroad that are here right now won’t be able to attend because they’ll be going back to their homes soon. Voila, instant early party!

I was expecting, like, just eight people since we were all scattered around Metro Manila and some even outside Metro Manila. But nooo, twice, almost thrice more came! All my little chubby cousins were grown up and skinny and emo teenagers. I passed by some stranger, who was wearing shades in the dead of the night. I internally raised my eyebrows because I was wondering what he was doing there since it was a family affair. A second later, someone said it was my cousin Paolo! I totally did not recognize him. @_@

There was a new generation of little cousins; all so makulit! Joshua, who’s actually my kid nephew, was playing with them and was the first casualty of their rowdiness. Nothing major, just a bit of a swollen lip from an accidental bump.

I didn’t expect to have so much fun because I was really tired and so not looking forward to the party. Lemme bring you guys to that horrid day. I had a job interview so I was wearing a pristine crisp white blouse and high heels. That I could deal with. However, I also had to deal with the sudden downpour, my four-kilo laptop bag and groping guys who insist on riding the first MRT train which is supposed to be off-limits to them! That commute was the worst I’ve had for the longest time. Yeah, I could’ve taken a cab but then I would’ve been late.

I guess the universe thought it owed me some good karma which I got at the interview. I won’t say anything since I don’t jinx it. Basta, it went well.

But then the bad karma started again on the commute to Taft, where my mom and I bought the party food. And we had trouble or delay in every place we stopped by to get food. I hear ya Murphey, everything that could go wrong did go SO WRONG. Well, except for the interview. Teehee.

So we finally got to my lola’s house at 8:45 p.m. My pregnant ninang joked, “Ano ‘to, midnight snack?” Everybody helped to prepare the food-buffalo wings, spaghetti, pesto, rice, cake and softdrinks. Needless to say, the food was gone in less than 30 minutes. I’ve never seen a bilao that clean!

With our hunger satiated and buckets of sweat pouring out of us courtesy of the buffalo wings, we sat and chatted in the garden like old times. It was so surreal to have everyone there-well, almost everyone. Everybody kept telling me I looked different because of my shorter hair, glasses and work-ish look because of the white blouse (which I’m proud to say stayed white :D). I think this is what you call growing up?

I was also able to talk to my lola who has a serious illness and is bed-ridden. Of course she couldn’t dine with us but we made a point to talk to her all throughout the party. She already ate by the time we arrived so we just saved her some food and cake.

Though I was so tired from that whirlwind day, I was really glad that I pushed through with that party. I didn’t realize how much I missed my relatives. I was so touched by all their effort to come. I hope I can see more of them over the summer.

It’s summertime! Summer is the most wonderful time of the year, don’t you think? It’s the time when we can do anything we want. One of the main reasons why I love summer is it’s the best time to T-R-A-V-E-L, one of my favorite things to do! Whenever it’s summertime, I always make sure that my family and I go places. For the past years, we’ve been to the States, Canada, Australia, Bohol, and Palawan- those moments were probably the best of my life so far! This summer, if I had the resources to travel as much as I want to, I would gladly visit these wonderful places:

1. 
   Santorini, Greece
   Just look at that spectacular view. Imagine sitting on the steps and facing that blue ocean. Wouldn’t that be paradise? I first fell in love with Santorini when I watched the Sisterhood. I love how it’s so different from the city. Their culture is definitely unique and their surroundings are just a breath of fresh air. I would do anything to go there and bring my friends with me, too. Now that would be an awesome summer.
2. 
   Amanpulo, Palawan
   Three words: TO DIE FOR. My parents have been to this paradise island and they said that everything they spent for was worth it. If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of life, this is the place to go. And the best part is it’s right here in the Philippines. Just look at that crystal blue water and that white sand. Who wouldn’t love to relax in that? No wonder Brad Pitt and Princess Diana loved it when they visited.
3. 
   Florida, USA
   My family and I visited Florida during the summer of 2000 and it was one of my fondest memories as a child because it was such a blast. When we went there, we never ran out of things to do! We went to Disney World (which is probably the biggest theme park in the planet), Universal Studios and a couple of beaches and malls. We always had somewhere to go to and it was FUN. Florida is one of the best destinations for a family vacation!
4. 
   Paris, France
   Paris will always be at the top of my list! I just want to stand in front of the Eiffel Tower and have my picture taken. I want to visit the Louvre and see the ever famous Mona Lisa. I want to try out their delicious food and just immerse myself in true Parisian culture. Going on an adventure and seeing how these Europeans live is always fun. And it’s Paris, you know? Need I say anything more?
5. 
   Sydney, Australia
   It’s time to move down South and see what Sydney has to offer. My family and I have actually been here during the summer of 2004. It is such a beautiful place. Darling Harbor (pronounced by Australians as DAH-LING HA-BOH) is my favorite because it is just so vibrant, so full of life and energy, even at night. We were actually able to go through the harbor on a boat and my, was it lovely! We even watched a concert in the Sydney Opera House. Sydney was definitely beautiful and I would love to go back.

Talking about all these places makes me want to visit them so bad. I just love experiencing new and exciting things, especially in another country and culture! I wonder where my family and I will be going to this summer. I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that it’s going to be one of these places! I hope you have an awesome summer, filled with wonderful memories! Cheers to the most wonderful time of the year!

As I look back at my 17 years in school I can’t imagine that I’m no longer a student! Time really flies fast and next week will be my long-awaited college graduation!  The events that have transpired were so many. There are the worst, the best, and everything else in between. It lets me remember how I lived life in a different lens and experience the things that helped me grow as a person.

So let me tell you what I am going to miss in school:

1. I know it’s weird but I do drink Lipovitan night before my exam. I make it a point to drink at least one before I start reviewing. I’ll show you my growing collection next time. Haha!
2. Extracurricular activities and orgs: Chorale, Theater, Dance Troupe, Clubs, Writing Guild, Photography, name it! I learned to explore the wonders of life through the gifts God has given me.
3. 
   Cam whoring moments inside and outside the class. Stolen shots count!
4. Teachers and Professors whom I called ‘Miss’, ‘Ma’am’ and ‘Teaaaacher!’ The relationship we created is way beyond compare.
5. Slam book/Autograph signing! I still keep them till this day!
6. Doodling and passing of notes.
7. My classmates, schoolmates, teachers and staff, and even the cats and dogs bumming around the school. Hahaha!
8. Looking for your c-r-u-s-h! *blush*
9. 
   Sleepless nights with your group mates. And getting tired because of doing nothing (?) haha! Seriously, hanging out with them lessens the difficult loads of work in school.
   
10. Newly-found words, facts, and trivia!

There are so many different things to pick from! And these are just few of the things I’m going to miss in school. Two weeks from now, I’ll be a Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Advertising Arts graduate.

Fueled by my drive of facing the challenge of life, I’m now ready to face the real world with the knowledge brought by my 17 years in school. Welcome me to the world of work!

Student no more,
CJ