Thoughts Before Christmas

I'm back!

I didn't expect to be updating this time but since I came back early from the movies, I'd take advantage of the opportunity. Aside from watching a movie and having a chilled drink at a cozy cafe, I finally bought myself a Christmas gift! Guess what it is? A book of course! I soo adore Philippa Gregory's Other Boleyn Girl and because of that, I grabbed the chance to pamper my self with a simple joy when I find a discounted copy of it at a new book store called Bestsellers in Robinson's Galleria.

Speaking of Bestsellers, I found the specialty shop very cozy and accommodating because there not clutter in browsing through the numerous aisle of wonderful titles ranging from hard to find American graphic novels to award-winning novels both foreign and local. Customers are also offered comfortable seats where they can read through the books before purchasing them. It feels like heaven for bibliophiles like me! Of course, I still love hanging out at Powerbooks. And to think that Powerbooks, Bestsellers and National Bookstore are owned by same people, I can't understand my weird liking for the two earlier shops. :D

Moving on from books and shops, I made an ultimatum for myself. You see, I have this disorder called nail-biting whenever I'm tense or nervous or in a pressured state since I was a kid and I want to get rid of it. While I'm trying to fight the urge to bite, I can't do it successfully at times because I know that I can bite those dead cells off without hurting myself. But hey, I'm like, 16 years old already and it's unpleasant to see nails like that. To primarily solve my problem, I applied blue nail polish with unpleasant smell and taste on my fingernails in order to alarm me whenever I am to put my fingernails on my mouth. But still, I hope that I can still wear them at school for continuous progress, ne? Ganbatte for me!

Referring to my earlier account of watching a movie, I actually watched the controversial film The Golden Compass. Many rumors and accusations are heard about the film and the first novel of the His Dark Material trilogy, the Northern Lights by Philip Pullman, the inspiration of the said movie, but I didn't really pass my judgment on whether it's actually against the Catholic Church or not for I wasn't able to see the movie or read the book myself. Things are different now though for I had the luxury of watching the film.

Based on my observation, there is nothing about the film that mentions ideas against any religion. The way I see it, the source of conflict is because of the similarities of the history of the Catholic Church wherein it was said that the authorities incarcerated those who are believed to be practicing witchcraft and sorcery as well as forcing people of other beliefs into Catholicism. The similarities I noticed are all based on history which happened before the Reformation, Counter Reformation and the organization of the Vatican II. I, myself, am a Catholic and I do not think that such film could easily influence the faithful if they have real belief in the teachings and authority of God. Though I haven't read the book, from what I can judge so far, I can say that the Golden Compass possesses a great story line and interesting elements regardless of the countless possible interpretations. It will be a shame if people will pass judgment on something based on the opinions of others. In logic speak, that will be a fallacy of authority, Argumentum Vericundiam. See, I do learn a thing or two from my Logic Class.

Anyway, I still have to work hard to raise my SAT II scores in Math level 1, Biology and Physics. I so want to get high scores on those tests. I can kill a plant in exchange of an 800 in all those subject tests *dreaming awake*. Aside from those tests, I also have to prepare for the DOST-SEI scholarship exam and the MTAP qualification exam which will all happen on January. That is so sad! I'm just enjoying my two-week vacation from school but still, the mentioned stuffs are for me when I step into college right? On top of the upcoming tests, I am also awaiting for the results of the UPCAT, ACET and USTET. My life depends on those tests.

Seems like my Christmas wishes will be delayed for some time.

Happy Holidays! :D

Love, Allyne

P.S. I’d like you all to greet my friend, SEV/AP E-I-C, A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! *pops a party popper*

Tales Longed to be Told

Time flies fast when you are having fun.

I did not realize how long it has been since I last dropped by. See, I finally formulated an alternate for ‘since I last updated’. Kudos for me!

Apparently, September became an über eventful month. Experiences ranging the transformation from a regular student taking his final tests to a chorale singer to a campus journalist and back to being a regular student once more occurred in 30 days. It’s like being a caterpillar undergoing a metamorphosis in order to fly and become a beautiful butterfly. LOL! If only…

Of course, I want to congratulate the CORO SAN ANTONIO! After all the drama of everyday practices, it is indeed a fulfillment, being able to pull off the best we can for the MUSIKAPELLA 2007 and thankfully, with God’s intervention, we even managed to become the 1st Runner Up of the said event. Some of you might think ‘Duh, it’s only 1st runner up…why are you so happy about it?’ and I respect that perspective. Though I must say, the practices were quite rough and we even encountered conflicts that really tested the strength of our team spirit. Enough of the reminiscent of the difficulties…at least everything ended well, right? Before mentioning other stuff, I would like to express my thanks to all those who supported our group from the beginning ‘til the end. Big or small, material or not, you help really boosted our spirits to lift up our voices and sing! Arigato Gozaimasu, minna-san!

How can I forget my first love? After singing the OPM love songs Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin and Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang for Musikapella, I changed my costume once more and don my Sapientia et Virtus/Ang Paglalayag (SEV/AP) character along with my trusty pen and paper.

It has been, like, a tradition, for the members of the SEV/AP to participate in the yearly Liyab Journalism Fellowship sponsored by The Torch Publication of the Philippine Normal University. And this year, I was like given no choice if I were to go or not to the said event because for one, I consider the expense of the said two-day affair since I still have and want to participate in the upcoming Secondary Schools’ Division Press Conference to be held at the Quezon City Science High School which will also cost me some kachings. Earlier, I mentioned about the Musikapella and the preparation for the said event cost me a week’s absence from class. I worry that I might not be able to fulfill my responsibilities as a student if I acquire a week more of absence from my classes. Anyway, I still jumped into the unknown waters and found myself in the said event. I’m just happy that even though things in that said event didn’t really go according to the wants of the others, I am sure that God has a better plan for all of us. I’m so thankful that during the time of hopelessness, He is always there to come and save the day. He’s a real hero!

Oh, I forgot to mention that last September 23, 2007, I took the University of Santo Tomas Entrance Test. But thankfully, it was not as difficult compared to UPCAT and ACET. Thank God!

As for the teacher who really likes to make a hell out of my life, I figured that there's nothing I can do about his power trips. I just have to get used to it and go with his whims. Anyway, I won't benefit from crying over spilled milk.

Enough whining! Start Smiling!

‘til my next sensible entry!

Love you!