Monday, August 27, 2007

August 27, 2007

It feels like a long time since I last posted anything here. To be more precise, it's already been 7 days and a few hours since my last post. It seems long because I've had a lot of things happen these past few days, and I just couldn't wait to Blog about it. As much as I would've wanted to share all of it right after it happened, I was unable to go online coz I couldn't find the time.

I wouldn't call it the "highlight" of my week, but it definitely was the most controversial & most stressful thing that ever happened to me. I'm proud to say that I had the resilience & forbearance to get a grip of my darker side.

As much as I would've wanted to bash someone's face in (and I could have, believe me!), I kept my cool & held back. The most extreme thing I did was to get on that person's face & bluntly told him off of his extremely arrogant, egotistic & obnoxious arse to the fullest extent of my voice!

Let me give you a not-so-brief history of why I had to get to that point.

Since Summer, I already had a group of friends from school. We were classmates & groupmates on all our classes. Since we had a class together this Semester that called for groupings, we were grouped together, save for one, who was clever enough to join another group. Unfortunately, I had to bear another Semester with the most obnoxious, invidious, abomidable, pompous loud-mouth in our group!!!

Without the agreement, or even the consent of the group, he proclaimed himself as the Group Head. We just let that pass since we knew that he needs to feed his over-sized ego. However, when it came to doing the Group Activities and papers for our class, he would have an ego trip & start bossing everyone around, to the point of threatening the members with expulsion from the group.

Last week, the injury I suffered during the Summer, the Muscle Spasms on my Neck & Shoulders, recurred & I could hardly get up from bed. I had to wear my Neck Brace, take my Muscle Relaxants & apply several medicated patches again, just to relieve the pain. I was in great inquietude.

After doing the Group's Initial Database & Second Level Assessment alone, using very limited information that the group gathered, I thought I can take a rest from the paper. Anyway, I spent 2 straight days scrunching my brain for words & information to place on the darned paper, scrambling for information on the format & trying to fill in the missing facts, so I think I deserved a break. But was I given that?!? Nooo...

Last Thursday morning, just as I woke up, I received a poorly constructed & grammatically deficient SMS from this Hitler of a person, demanding us to attend a Group Meeting that evening regarding our Initial Database & Second Level Assessment. Apparently, our Professor wanted us to add some more information based on the notes that he had provided.

I told him that I was sick, and though I will try to attend, I cannot commit my attendance. He cockily replied that "irregardless" of whether I am sick or not, I have to attend & stay until the whole thing is finished. I told him that I really cannot stay out very late since it will aggravate my condition & my Mom would not allow it, especially since the area where we'll be meeting is a depressed community. He, then, questioned why I had to follow my Mom's orders when I am already of age. He said we had to sacrifice and he would not even go to work the next day just to do the paper, and so would everyone else in the group. I told him that he & another member were the only 2 people who were working, anyways, so it wasn't a loss to the other members. He then, threatened to expel me from the group itself.

My blood pressure shot right up! I was infuriated! That little twit wanted to remove me from the group after I worked my arse off on the paper that just needed some tweaking! That was just not right. Uh-Uh... Dissing me like that will get you nowhere, and fast! I had to do something.

I sent an SMS to my Professor asking him if I can just work on my own. Anyway, I was already feeling very stagnant in the group. Being one of the very few in the group who can hold ground on their own (the twirp, not included), I know that I can function much better without him consistently harrassing us to do stuff, while he does nothing. My professor said we'd talk the next day (which never happened, by the way).

So, even though I was still not feeling better, I forced myself to go to school to meet the group. I had formulated questions to be asked to the Family we needed to re-interview so that I can get all the information we needed for the paper. Since I was still pretty much pissed off at that jerk, I barely spoke a word to him throughout.

When we finally got to the Site for the Interview, we started to ask questions, and I'd inject my questions as well. Imagine, to my bewilderment, infront of the Interviewee, he disses me by saying that I cannot ask my questions since he has a format! The gall!!! To think, when I read the questionnaire he was holding, it was still very incomplete! All the information he needed was already answered in the previous interview! Just so I wouldn't look like an uncivilized person infront of the Interviewee, I just kept silent, while my other groupmates started to calm me down.

After the interview, a couple of my groupmates & I started to vent out our annoyance & exasperation over the unprofessionalism of this impetuous prick. While he dragged one of my friends with him while he walked ahead of the group, we couldn't help but make sure that he hears how annoyed we were of him & the way he runs the group.

When we got to the Odeon Mall, just about a block from the Site, my friend said we all had to talk to get things over with. That's when I had to get ugly. I told him to his face that he is the reason why the group does not want to function. We are all sick & tired of his harrassments & threats, that we are not even afraid of getting booted out of the group anymore. And I told him flat out that he wasn't a big loss to the group if he left. Which was true! May lightning strike him if I was telling a lie! Hah!

To cut the story short, he left the group, to our delight. We just didn't show it, but we were more than happy! We wanted to celebrate! Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish!!! Really! Seriously.

Who wouldn't be happy?!? Imagine, he would have us meet every Sundays after class just to do the paper, but what does he do? He would pretend to be busy by cooking, talking on the phone for hours, going on the internet & checking on his emails & Friendster, or flirt with a guy from another group. Yet, he takes all the credit for the Group's work! The nerve! We skip going to Church, being with our families for this crap?!? Hah! To hell with him! Now, we can live in peace and harmony as a group.

I cannot begin to enumerate the new "Press Releases" he has been spreading about our group. He has never stopped bad-mouthing us to anybody who would listen, anyway, so, we just let him be.

And guess what?!? Although we had to start over with our Initial Database & Second Level Assessment from scratch, we were able to finish it in one sitting... Without HIM!! And the group had a lot of fun, too! We were having a blast doing our paper, that it did not seem like work. A far cry from what we were previously experiencing under the "tutelage" of this pompous jerk.

Now, I can say that I have a great group in school. We're all working hard & we are kicking some serious butts from here on out! Good luck to you, you egotistic schmuck! As you like to say, "I'll see you at the Board Exams!"

Friday, August 17, 2007

August 17, 2007 (Part Deux)

Its another day without classes for Metro Manila students, as Typhoon Egay (International Code: Sepat) offically became a Super Typhoon, pulling the South-West Monsoon rains towards it's center, and gathering gusty winds at 250 kph.

Floods are definitely inevitable, since its been raining hard for a few days now. Though the rain has been sporadic, the volume of rainfall has been quite overwhelming, for the Metro's exhausted, clogged & out-dated drainage system. Some of the flooded areas have not seen dry pavements since before Typhoons Chedeng (International Code: Pabuk) & Dodong (International Code: Wutip) hit the Philippine Area of Responsibility last week. Some parts of Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite & Metro Manila are still underwater.

One great thing about this weather is the increase in the water level of the Angat Dam, which means goodbye to the impending Water Crisis in Metro Manila. Goodbye to drought & water irrigation problems of our farmers. And most especially: Hello to more rest for us students!!!

Well, at least the National Disaster Coordinating Council decided to announce the suspension of classes as early as last night! Good one!

Okay... Time to eat my lunch, though it looks like nighttime outside.

August 17, 2007

Have you ever had an itch you just can't reach? The one that you just need to scratch so that you can be relieved? Well, I don't itch anywhere but that was the feeling I got yesterday...

See, since I've stopped working to become a full-time student, I have not had a decent Burger or Sushi. Sure, I've had my Mickey Dees & Jollibees, and my occasional Tokyo Tokyo Sushi, but still... Nothing compares to a freshly grilled 1/4 lb. all-meat pattie (done medium-well), topped with fresh lettuce, succulent tomatoes, a slice of American cheese, and tangy wasabi mayo, all on a nice, fresh Oat Bun. Or, an Omakase SAR Platter of Sushi. Aaarrrggghhh!!!

Anyway, so I finally got over the edge & I just HAD to have my Burger or Sushi fix. My Mom brought me to Alabang Town Center to stroll around and have her hair dyed at FIX Salon. I already ate my lunch at home so I wouldn't spend money on food anymore. When we got there, I still got some Chicken Wrap at Food Choices & even a Doughnut, but I couldn't shake the feeling of being hungry. I just couldn't stay still. I HAD to have my fix!

When it was finally time to go home, I begged my parents to stop over Gourmet's Palate so I can grab a Wasabi Burger. Then, I thought, I might have another bout of Hypertension if I ate a Burger. So, I decided to have the next best thing: A Grilled Chicken Sandwich! It still had the fresh veggies & a special sauce in the same Oat Bun, but without the guilt.

After I ate my Sandwich, I was happy. I was relieved! Heck! I was in Heaven!!! Even if I ate my sandwich at 6:30pm, I felt full right until this morning! Ahhh... Bliss...

Now, what do YOU crave for?!?

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Belated Happy Birthday!!!

I'd like to give a BIG Shout Out to my Beautiful Niece, Anna Luisa Madriaga...

BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY,

My Little Bonita!!!

Ninang Elaine Misses You Soooo Much!

I Love You, my Little Kiwi Munchkin!!!

Hope you'll grow up to be a Caring, Good-Hearted, Talented, Smart & God-Fearing Lady!

Take care of Mommy, Daddy & Kuya Matt!

August 9, 2007

It's that time of the year again when the Government's incompetence is excruciatingly evident. (Sigh...)

Monday afternoon, it was already raining like mad out and there were already areas that were flooded to the gutter. Tuesday was the same, with more rain pounding overhead, plus loud winds roaring.

Yesterday saw the same weather conditions, and yet the Department of Education (DepED) still insisted that classes in ALL Levels (Elementary through College) should go through. There were already a lot of flooded areas (even up to the waist!), and yet they still wanted the kids to go to school! Only after a couple of Municipal & City Mayors and Schools started to announce their own decisions suspending classes in their areas, did DepED retract their announcement! That was already 7AM! And to think, some Public Schools were already having classes! Some students were already in the streets, forcing their way to school despite the strong winds & pelting rain!

Today's weather is significantly better than yesterday's, and they decided to announce the suspension of classes in ALL Levels! How ironic! They don't suspend classes when the weather's rough, but they announce postponement of classes when the sun's out and about!

There is really no coordination in our Government's system. The DepED should always take into consideration that there are low lying areas in the Metro that are easily flooded, and that the strong winds and heavy downpour make it very hard for the majority of the commuting public, especially Students & children, to tread. With the weather seemingly getting worse even at 3AM, they should already call off classes as early as that time! Not when you're already pressured by the tons of complaints you receive from disgruntled parents!

DepED should consult with the Departments of Public Works & Highways, Social Welfare, with the Municipal & City Mayors, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), as early as the night before, if the winds and rain have been continuous. It had been raining for 2 days straight, and nothing!!!

Thanks to the President, there's no classes today, even if there's no rain or strong winds out. Every year, whenever storms & typhoons arrive, this problem persists. Why do they always have to wait for the weather to be significantly worse, with children already in schools, before they call off classes! Grrr!!! Learn from your mistakes people!!! And you wonder why there are a lot of children getting sick during the stormy season?!?

Anyway, more time to lounge in my PJs... Bliss!!!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

August 5, 2007

Its 2:00AM in Manila, and I'm not yet asleep... I don't even think I can sleep now...

Why?!?

I can't believe I just spoke to HappySlip herself... Christine Gambino!!! I was having problems with my PC's audio so I just tried to lip-read a very choppy live videostream from Stickam. Since I gathered from the Text Chats that she's taking in Calls over the phone, I whipped out our US VoIP & called the Toll Free Number for the Live Chat! After minutes of finger-numbing attempts to dial the number, I finally came through!!! And she remembered my email to her!!!

I was gushing the entire time! I was starstruck! Talking to THE HappySlip?!? What an experience!!! Like a dream!!! Woo Hoo! She now knows that she's gone big in the PI and may even think about coming here to do a Fans Day EB!!! Coolness!!!

Anyway, I gotta go... Not to sleep, though. Post more later...

Thursday, August 02, 2007

August 3, 2007

It's offically August 3rd in Manila, and I have been awake for over 19 hours already. Still, sleep has yet to dawn on me. I'm already having another bout of Allergic Rhinitis, still not even a hint of lethargy... Oh well, maybe in another half hour or so...

After weeks of postponement, our Community Duty finally pushed through today. Along with my groupmates, we took the LRT Line 2 to Marikina City (which, by the way, left me misty eyed) where we commissioned a Vehicle for Hire to bring us to our Site. It was another 10 or 20 minutes before we finally got to our destination: Brgy. Bagong Sibol, Marikina City.

It was a depressed area right along the banks of the Tumana River, behind the Fairlane Subdivision. Since we had to meet quite early, some of us barely had breakfast, and so, the task of finding safe & suitable food came into play. Good thing, in one of the very few concrete houses, they sold freshly cooked Purefoods Hotdogs for a very reasonable price of only PhP7.00 per stick. 1 Stick was quite enough for me, since I already took my breakfast at home.

When we finally convened at the Baranggay "Hut" (it was barely a "Hall"), we were tasked to interview families who reside in the Blocks assigned to us regarding their various Health Concerns & what improvements they would like to have done, in terms of Health Care Services. I paired up with one of my friends, Jamie, so that we could do the interview together. Jamie and I were able to speak with 4 Families who shared their concerns & needs.

In our interview with the families, I was left in awe of the efforts being done by the City Government of Marikina, under the leadership of Mayor Marides Fernando. Although they do not have regular check-ups or a nearby Health Center, their Emergency protocols can be relied on in times of need. I also noticed that they all seem to be very content & happy about the measures being done by their Mayor for the benefit of their Community's Health & well-being. How many Municipalities, Cities & Provinces can boast of such services?!?

Although I was a bit apprehensive at first, I felt at ease, after the first few questions were thrown. It also leaves a good feeling that you may also be able to help these families once you have gotten to know their needs better.

After Community, I had to run back to school to take my Prelims in Chemistry, which was surprisingly easy compared to my Microbiology & Community Health Nursing Exams. We were able to check it after the exam & I got 93%!!! Woohoo! All worth it!

Another great news was the Cancellation of Classes today, August 3, for the Last Day of Registration of the Baranggay Elections. Although it was supposedly only for students between 15-17 years old or High School & College Level Students, our school decided to call off the classes since there are also a lot of students in our school within that age bracket.

So now, I have 2 days off, and I am planning to spend it sleeping or in the Mall. Hah!

That's it for today... I'll update again later...