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Let’s fix up our definitions, shall we? Crazy is when you forget that your mini-mag is actually inside the October 2009 issue. Crazier is when you act all excited to turn every page when you know all the stuff to expect anyway. Craziest? The craziest of all is that I still can’t get over it—the COC 9 baby is here!

The next entries from this blog will be a series of what we’d like to call “behind-the-scenes exclusives” in the making of our mini-mag. Let me start with the section that I worked for: the Fashion and Beauty feature! Obviously, we had to settle the theme and pull out clothes first, but you’ll learn more about those from the next entries. Right now, I’ll fast forward to the big day: the photoshoot!

Here were some of the memorable things that took place on that day.

1. I became Ms. McSteamy for a while in order to prepare the clothes for the shoot. Why not, right?
   
   
2. Our model, Sabrina Anupol, before the pictorial. Isn’t she so pretty?
   
   
3. At the shoot itself, we had to creatively direct Sab in posing to get her into character. Here she is with Mr. Patrick Martires, our talented photographer.
   
   
4. Sab with the COC girls Dyan, CJ, Aura, Deanne, and Mari!
   
   
5. The best part: me and Dyan were the first to buy the accessories used in the shoot! This was my first hippie band from Anagon Collection.
   

When the day at the studio ended, I remember myself being super excited to tell my friends all about my one of a kind experience. For one day, we became stylists, directors, feeling-models, bosses, assistants, “steamers,” and firsthand-buyers all at the same time! It makes me wonder when I’ll get to do this kind of thing again.

<3 Aura

PS. Oh correction, CRAZIEST is if you still haven’t gotten hold of a copy of the October issue yet!

Did you notice how almost all the recent entries I wrote were about college? Even the entries I failed to write were because of that. And I bet right now you’re thinking - Aura talaga,you’re such a freshman!

So, on a lighter note, let me share one Oops moment I had a while ago. On my way to my dad’s clinic, my shoes had gotten wet in the rain. However, instead of buying slippers, my dad insisted for me to wear this old pair of wedges he found in his lab. “Okay, this is crazy-trendy enough for me”, I thought. After that, I went out to have something printed. While waiting, I noticed how dirty the spot I was standing on was. I later on realized that they were from me. A mental scream came after - “OMG, MY SHOES!” Poor heels didn’t survive and just disintegrated! Poorer me, so scared the technician would notice the mess on the floor. I rushed back to my dad’s clinic as soon as possible without owning up to my (shoes’) fault.

However, karma must have worked so fast because what happened after was much more mortifying. On my way back, I found myself leaving a dark trail of rubber behind. I tried hard to maintain my poise and not let the people notice, but it was so hard! Imagine every bit of your SOLE being crushed into pieces and every step you take making you feel like a walking disaster, literally. How would you survive that fashion disaster?

I don’t know how I did. When I got back, my dad finally let me get a new pair of slippers.

Way to embarrass myself, right? Thanks for reading!

When I first learned that we had to render a 10-hour service to our local churches for our Theology class, I honestly couldn’t help but see the irony in doing “voluntary work” out of obligation. I have always believed that service should be done out of our own sincere initiative, and not because we are required to. However, I still went on and inquired in my own church about what I can do to help. Unfortunately, there was no available program that was suitable for me. So after more inquiries and weeks of delay, I finally found another church that was willing to accept me—Victory Church Alabang.

I had a lot of worries before we started, especially since I will be serving in another church and another religion. However, I was encouraged because I will be going there with my blockmate, and we will be serving in the Kids Church! I usually love kids, so I knew it will be fun.

On my first day, I was only allowed to observe. But eventually, I was allowed to take charge and lead the kids in their activities. We assisted the teachers in the games, worship songs and dances, tithes and offerings and lecture session. The next picture was during the song worship. A number of kids stood out because young as they are, they already know how to sincerely give praise to God.

There were times when the kids could be bratty and grumpy, but I always knew how to deal with them. I maintained a certain connection with the children, and I really wanted to make sure that they enjoy and learn from the experience. These two boys gamely posed for the camera!

I couldn’t believe it either, but eventually, I found myself enjoying every session and looking forward to the next Sunday wherein a random cute kid would call me “teacher”, just like these girls here.

There were also a couple of times when I ushered in the Adults Church and sat in to listen to their service. I really appreciated the new insights and knowledge I got, and recognized that in Victory Church, everybody is welcome. In the end, I realized that this course requirement was actually a very nice opportunity for me to meet new people, do things that I love and discover new things about religions, all while serving the name of our Lord.

Note: These three were my favorite boys! The one on the left even cried one time. Hahaha.

Hoping to have more worthwhile Sundays again,
Teacher Aura

I am back! After missing 4 entries (which by the way, I sincerely regret), here I am writing again. The past month has been the busiest, craziest, loveliest adventure of my life, and it’s all because of the decision I’ve tried to avoid, but ended up happily making—to run for batch representative in the DLSU Student Council.

As you may or may not know, I’ve been involved in the student council since 7^th grade, so it’s practically my sole interest, hobby, commitment, talent, life. (You like the exaggeration there?) So even before I entered DLSU, I was already invited by different political parties to join their org and possibly run again in the Freshmen Elections. I tried very hard to ignore them because my parents strongly advised me to focus on my academics, and I personally wanted to explore other things that I could be good at aside from the student council.  But like what my dad said, I was “brainwashed”. My mom knew I was unstoppable anyway. Deep inside, I knew this was sincerely what I wanted, no matter how much I tried to deny it. So in the end, that’s right - I said yes to Santugon Sa Tawag ng Panahon, and the rest is history (cramped into a month or so).

Here are the top ten things about my busy, crazy, lovely adventure.

1. The College of Science slate, Bianca, me, Doms and Jesyl
   
   
2. Trainings every night—I barely had time for my homework!
   
   
3. Brainstorming, researching and planning—ahh!!
   
4. Campaign Week—during one of our room-to-rooms. “Good afternoon College of Science! I am Aura Azarcon, your batch representative, Santugon ako!”
   
5. Prayer for Generosity - we always go back to our Marian roots.
   
6. COS Family - the greatest people by my side.
   
7. Tatak Santugon (my favorite picture of us!)
   
8. Free baller bands!
   
9. Santugays! God, I love them.
   
10. The result - thank you, ID 109!
    

Sure, a lot of things had to be sacrificed during the entire course of the elections. I missed out on a couple of debuts, movie dates and barkada lunches. I had to skip classes and catch up on a lot of reading and homework. I lived on granola bars and a couple of hours of sleep every night for 2 weeks. But undeniably true, everything was well worth it.

I am writing this entry with much heartfelt gratitude, and I know I’ll be missing this every time I look back to it. Now that I am in the student council, I can’t really actively participate in my political party anymore. I can’t wear my party shirts or campaign in the next general elections. However, all the lessons I learned, friends I gained and memories I will keep, I will always owe to Santugon.

Like what I said before, the world will always give you lots of options and opportunities. All you have to do is be brave enough to grab them. If I had said no to this one, I would’ve missed out on a life-changing experience no one can forget. Now I’m glad I didn’t. Because of this, I was able to get to know myself better. I am once again reassured of my passion and capabilities, and my drive to wholeheartedly serve my batch and my community. Now, just like the rest of the newly elected Frosh representatives, I am ready to face all challenges and truly deliver.

Aura I. Azarcon
FOCUS 2009 Batch President

PS  The weekend after everything was over, I spent 4 hours in the salon to have my much-needed, much-deserved pampering. Haha!

Another interesting session in our Personal Effectiveness class took place, and here I am writing about it again. This time, our prof made us take a quiz about The Nine Personality Types of the Enneagram. It’s surprisingly easy to answer, and the results yielded were unbelievably accurate! Apparently, I am what you can call “The Enthusiast”.

“The Enthusiast. The busy, productive type. Sevens are extroverted, optimistic, versatile, and spontaneous. Playful, high-spirited, and practical, they can also misapply their many talents, becoming over-extended, scattered and undisciplined. They constantly seek new and exciting experiences, but can become distracted and exhausted by staying on the go. They typically have problems with impatience and impulsiveness.

At their best: They focus their talents on worthwhile goals, becoming appreciative, joyous, and satisfied.”

After reading that, I can’t believe the satisfaction I got from finally finding the words to honestly describe me. I mean, how many times have I been called “funny” or “nice”, but never busy, playful, over-extended, distracted and impulsive? My close friends can attest to that, for sure. Maybe I’ve always been an enthusiast, and an adventurer as well. I remember writing this for my COC 9 introductory write-up - “I believe the world will always give you opportunities and options. You just have to be brave enough to grab them.”

There’s a lot more to learn about myself, but for now, I look forward to the future with the basic desire to be happy (and the basic fear to be deprived). I’m happy to have realized all this and more (as in all the other things written on this site) (Please link that to http://www.9types.com/descr/index.php?type=7), and I look forward to the many ways on how I can make the most of my personality from now on.

Before I go, let me advise you this. Engage yourself in things that will help you learn about yourself and others, as this is a very important part of growing up. Oh, don’t forget to have fun, a lot of fun. We all deserve it

Feeling inspired,
Aura