Colors from East to West

Usually, experiencing a new culture requires travel and a lot of money. But today, I feel so lucky to have attended a Japanese tea ceremony demonstration and a performance by Quatuor Diotima String Quartet without the need to fly to Japan or France.

I think I have posted enough entries to express my fascination with Japan and its culture. And it has always been a dream of mine to witness, if not take part, in a Japanese tea ceremony or, in Japanese, cha no yu. Witnessing the demonstration made me realize all over again Japan's "obsession" with restraint and order which is incomprehensible yet sensible to me. 

Despite the seriousness and solemnity called for by the tea ceremony, I was still able to enjoy the occasion due to a couple of things. Seeing my sensei in her kimono as she performed the ceremony got me totally amazed. Watching my classmates' attempt on the said art was kind of amusing too. But the fact that I got to taste the wagashi and authentic matcha made by sensei sent me immediately to cloud nine. Too bad I wasn't able to bring a camera and take pictures to share though. :(

Just after attending the cha no yu demonstration, my friend and I immediately went to the venue for Quatuor Diotima's performance. We arrived a bit late as the quartet already started their first song so we had to wait before we can enter the hall. Too bad for us youngsters as a strict-looking lady scolded us while we waited at the lobby. :|

To be honest, I have a love-hate relationship with classical music. But when we were invited by a friend to go see a French string quartet FOR FREE, I'm like, 'why not?'. And, the invitation really came on time as I am currently rekindling my affair with classical music since last month. I realized that it helps me keep my sanity through all the things I have to do. 

I can't help but respect Quatuor Diotima and, along with them, all those who are so dedicated to playing instruments. I really felt goosebumps while listening to them perform and sometimes, I would get so carried away by the melody the my head sways to the beat. Watching people like them inspires me to just be good at what I can. I mean, if they can affect me so much by being so good in their music then, I must work hard to be good in my craft too before I can start aspiring to influence others in a positive light. I feel sad that I am not able to speak French. I wanted to express me appreciation but I can't. (As if I can do such thing in Japanese if I will be able to attend a Yuki Kajiura performs. LOL!) Maybe I should start studying French too?

In the end, my friends and I got to get a picture with the quartet members. :P 

I'm really thankful for this day. Makes me love my school even more for bringing in such rare opportunities closer to students. 

MORE! MORE! :D

A Plunge on Blue and White

Four weeks.

I'm sure you are about to hunt me down if I still won't update this time. Teehee!

Enough vanity and let's get straight to details.

Not updating for more than a month is totally not me. Everyone who's been with me through my four-year blogging stint knows how I just type the words I can think of and share it, whether it is about the funny-looking statue I passed by somewhere, the trip I had with my family, school work overload or simply random thoughts that I just want to share and/or vent. To think that I survived not accounting anything in this blog, the world must be upside down! Since the world is not upside-down (well, the last time I checked, that is), there is a very good reason behind my hiatus from the blog-sphere and it comes in two words – university life.

Yep, gone are the days of petty worries and childish wants – university is a step closer to reality. But of course, university life is where the fun starts especially when you become an official Atenean. I can hear you thinking along the lines of 'akala ko ba UP ka?' but the whole UP-turned-Ateneo chapter in my life made me realize something very important – the great things happen unexpectedly. Okay, so many people think that Ateneans are coñio, rich, snob and all other upper society stereotypes that are too many to think of, let alone type here. SO NOT TRUE. You won't enjoy college life if you fill your head with silly perceptions without first-hand basis. I won't deny that before finally deciding on Ateneo, the idea of 'being left-out' also bothered me but when I thought about it, I was like, 'what the hell am I worrying about?'. And now, I enjoy each day with 24 new friends. Making new friends is one great way to enjoy college. Check out XX2's block pics during the OrSem. But we were not complete here. We are 25 in our block but here we are only 24 because the other person was still residing in the 'most famous house in Philippine television'. Speaking of friends, one of the reasons whyI wasn't able to write down anything for most of June is because of the continuous set of activities for freshmen that robbed me most of my energy. From the registration to course selection, to OrSem, everything is by the students for the students and that factor really makes things more interesting. FYI, the term 'course' is equal to what we call 'subjects' back in high school in contrast to the popular context when people ask college students 'anong course mo?' and expect an answer like 'bs psych po or nursing po'. The previous sentence was so out of topic and not to mention boring but hey, it's a piece of information worth knowing.

So I'm a BS Health Sciences (HSc) major. And you are like 'anu yun?' in your head. Well, it's not your typical pre-med school degree program – it's Chemistry-intensive coupled with advanced mathematics. Nope, people here are not nerds. Okay, so maybe we are a little but come on, everyone has their own streak of “nerdness”. Besides, Hsc peeps are geared towards med school as we lack doctors in our country, swear. Enough of that blah talk about the future. Now is much important.

New environment calls for changes and adjustments. I'll admit that I'm still adjusting but think about this: when it's your first time doing something or going somewhere, remember that you're not the only one who's having the 'first-day blues', everybody feels that too from time to time. But don't go all the way at once since you are not yet sure of what's to come. Take it one at a time.

I remembered something. Tomorrow is the opening of season 71 of UAAP wherein the first basketball game is between Ateneo and La Salle. I wanted to watch but it's a Sunday and besides, I don't have tickets for the game. I'll probably just watch the game on tv and see how Ateneans (and La Salle too)chant school spirit away.

I'm now past the 'wow-everything-is-so-new-to-me' stage so I guess you'll be seeing/viewing me more often from now on and hopefully, I'll be back to my regular blog frequency.

Sweetness,
Allyne

March Moments

I know.

I haven’t written in a while and many things have been bothering me since late February. But before all the laughter and drama, I want to greet you all a HAPPY, HAPPY EASTER! Let’s thank Jesus for this day as it is because of His resurrection that we are alive.

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After months of scrutinizing Shakespeare, analyzing physics and equating equations, March marks the start of the countdown to bidding ‘sayonara high school!’. All the sleepless nights are forgotten along with the tiresome completion of requirements as every high school senior look forward to receiving their diplomas. Much as I do prefer reading novels compared to all-night hardcore partying, I can’t deny that I also anticipate free days when I can just rest and do nothing at all. I’m trying not to be nostalgic or anything but really, the idea of me graduating from high school already seems to be a bit too soon. I really had a hell of a great time in high school through all the ups and downs and experiences. Maybe I am sad because of the goodbyes I’m about to give and receive. I’ve formed different bonds with people and the thought of having to part with them even temporarily is really bringing my spirits down. I’m really going to miss a lot of people especially YOU GUYS OF BONIFACIO, SILANG, DE JESUS and QUEZON.

When things end, something is sure to start. College life is just around the corner but I am still standing in front of two fork roads. The institution I am to take my college education portrays a big role in my future career and I want to be certain for money is a big issue related to college education. As of this moment, I have less than one week to decide between Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines - Diliman. I have no academic problems with Ateneo because I find their BS Health Science competitive enough to get me into a good medical school after 4 years. On the other hand, I am unsure of studying in UP due to the fact that the degree program they have accepted me in is called AB Linguistics. Though I am überly interested in language scholarship, I am inclined towards the medical profession specifically pediatrics.

Linguistics.

Medicine.

See the connection?

No? Yeah, thought so too.

Well, I pray to God that He will always guide me in every decision I am to make.

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Pressing the ‘Rewind’ button, I want to share some happenings these past weeks before I finally let the curtains of high school fall. Might I forget all the details in the far future, I am at ease that I’ll always remember the highlights by writing them down.

Final examinations made its way into our lives. Seniors like me scratched our pens on test sheets one last time in high school before facing the new challenges of college life. Contrary to popular belief, the final exams are not-so-breezy. In my case, my nose bled (figuratively, of course) while taking the Drafting exams specifically the part of predicting feasible orthographic sketches and my brain did a back flip the moment I laid my eyes on the Physics test due to my naïveté (actually, it is due to my absence in class) regarding the principles of calculating the mechanical advantages of simple machines. In anyway, those mind boggles are stuffs of the past. With only the toga and diploma needed to complete the picture, the seniors of my batch including I, feel that the graduation season is fast approaching.

But before we don those gala ensembles, the Sapientia et Virtus staff needs to fulfill their last duty for school year 2007 – 2008 which is to publish the yearly SEV magazine. At this point, I admit that I am really nostalgic. I’ve been a part of this organization throughout my stay in high school and I’ll really miss all the moments I’ve shared with my co-staff especially the teachings I’ve learned from the two great advisers of this org – Teacher Rodel and THE Goddess. I can’t imagine school without this organization chiefly because sev/ap is my first family in high school and I have made most of my tight bonds within this org. Every issue we release means so much to me for we poured our hearts and efforts to it. Not to forget the fun trips we had to the different press conferences and seminars. Nothing can really make me forget all those experiences I had with the staff.

Aside from fulfilling my duties as a sev/ap staff, I am also in the quest of raising my voice with the other coro san antonio members as we are preparing for our last performances – Baccalaureate mass and the Seniors’ Graduation. But before that, coro san antonio actually got its biggest break since its organization. The Philippine Normal University Chorale invited us, along with 8 other chorales, to join them in the first Voices Concert held at the PhilAm Life Theater last March 7, 2008. Great experience – these words certainly describe the memory I had that night with all other great choirs! The training days were really exhausting but worth the efforts. You guys can watch our performance on YouTube.com by typing coro san Antonio on the search box. You’ve got to watch it!

Not to forget, cheers to the SSA Seagulls Pep Squad for a back-to-back Championship title in the National Cheering Competition. All your hard work has paid off! Woohoo!

Surely, time really flies fast when you are having fun. One day you’re just on your first day as a Freshman and the next day you find yourself practicing for the Senior year graduation. Even so, we can’t help the reality that we all have to leave but in one way or another, we do return. And that is the purpose of memories. We may be gone, but we can always go back.

Off to college!

Sweetness,

Allyne

P.S. I forgot to greet one of my besties, Kristine, a happy birthday last March 8 along side the celebration of Women’s Day.