Wednesday, 31 December 2008

As The Year Ends

Wow. 2008 is over. 4 hours to go, and a new calendar year starts.

As the year ends, I look at my blog - the stories I've told, the pictures I've posted, the thoughts and feelings I've shared - and I wonder at how I matured in 2008. I reckon not much, but significantly so. This year, more than any other in my life, has seen the best ups of my life.

In the beginning of the year, I decided to be with someone special who has been the rock of my existence here in the Philippines. <3 I learned so much from her, from commuting, to treating people better, to a new language, and to always keep humility at my side.

In the summer holidays, I experienced going for a holiday with absolutely no one to rely on but myself, planning everything, booking the hotels and tickets, and financing most of the costs. The independence was amazing.

In the first term of this school year, I proved myself right; that a student can both be an excellent scholar while also submerging himself (excellently too) in co-curricular activities. I received Second Honors and had the honor of representing De La Salle University with Animo Squad.

Second term was no less blessed. With my family and friends of Skittlez Crew, we managed to win, hands down, the championship of Remix08 dance competition. To have gone through so many conflicts, fights, and altercations, and yet surface as a team held together by love for each other, was amazing.

And after four hard months of work, I have finally achieved clear definition around my mid-section. I believe they are called 'abs'? LOL.

Christmas was beautiful, and I'm glad I had someone very special to spend it with. <3

Now, a new year approaches, and I can only look forward to more blessings, more victories both in my academics and athletics, better time with family and friends, and another beautiful year here in the Philippines.

To all my friends and family: Nothing else but thank you.


Jay~

Monday, 29 December 2008

Men of Cosmopolitan

LOL, this is not a post about models or what; I bought a new book that I've been looking for since August, and Gayle got herself this month's Cosmopolitan magazine. The book I bought was Men of Bronze, by Scott Oden.





Book was pretty good! Then again, a history buff like me would be biased towards history-based novels. LOL. Not too sure about Cosmo though. I think I'll stick with MH. :P


Jay~

Saturday, 27 December 2008

2009 Custom Journal (The Making)

When everyone else have a ready-made journal, The Jason opts to make life complicated and makes himself a custom one. :D

Of course, at Coffee Bean again. :P






It turned out pretty well. I'll post some more pictures once I get it fully tricked-out. Chyeah!

Thanks Gayle for wrapping up my book. :D


Jay~

Reading Crichton and Pelzer

I bought a new book, Jurassic Park, by the late techno-thriller genius Michael Crichton, and Gayle is currently reading My Story, by Dave Pelzer, and when we have new reads, we go to Coffee Bean. :D

Finding CB at Midtown is really a blessing. Starbucks here in Manila is way too over-rated, and is increasingly getting more populated by rowdy crowds. :( Not exactly a place to mull over a novel.








Ah.. That book was awesome! I'm definitely going to get the sequel, The Lost World. I cannot believe I put off reading that book for such a long time!


Jay~

Thursday, 25 December 2008

Catching Up

Wow, my very busy pre-Christmas has finally come to an end.

End of a somewhat disappointing second term (grades-wise), an awesome year with Skittlez, and of course, a beautiful eleven months with Gayle is nearing to a close. :)

I'll try to blog as much as possible in the next few days and post up what I've missed on posting. :) Sorry about the lack of posts, readers and visitors.


Jay~

Merry Christmas

Okay, I won't be a grinch, and greet everyone who reads or visits my blog a wonderful Christmas, and may the God(s) you worship respectively bless you and your family.

Merry Christmas.

Always, always remember the true reason for Christmas. :)

P.S. My presents are great. :D


Jay~

Monday, 22 December 2008

Christmas?

It is, without a doubt, the emptiest, most meaningless, least practical, and most useless pagan tradition adopted by Christianity, and then commercialized by capitalism.

Then again, most 'traditions' have been commercialized.

Have a "Merry" Christmas, everyone.
After you've had your fun, have a good think where your lives are going.

And please stop re-telling the lie Christmas has become to your children. How about you teach them basic work ethics, manners, and good values instead? Do the planet a favor, leeches.

Jay~

Monday, 15 December 2008

Business Attire, His and Hers

Gayle and I, hanging out in Yuchengco Lobby, after our business attire days. Note that I went a little casual. :) I don't want to look too uptight, y'know.








I think I look a lot better now, with more definition, and looking a lot fitter. :P But that's what I think. :P


Jay~

Saturday, 13 December 2008

Second Honors' Certificate

This has to be one of the coolest things I have collected so far in my one year-ish here in the Philippines. :)


You don't need to know my full name. :P
I received this for my grades last term. New target: First Honors. :)


Jay~

Hell Week Part 2

Finals are over! =D

The crazy week saw me complete what I first thought were impossible tasks. I was surprised to see that sort of grit in me, to be honest.

My to-do list was the following:
Foreign Relations Final Paper (due Tuesday)
Spanish 3 Final Exam (Wednesday)
International Political Economy Final Paper - Electronic Copy (Wednesday)
International Political Economy Final Paper (Thursday)
American Economy Final Exam (Thursday)
American History Final Exam (Friday)
American History Final Paper (Friday)
Theology 3 (Friday)

To add to that, I had to teach a dance routine to the Economics department for the College of Business and Economics' Christmas dance competition. ROFL. One of the songs they chose was 'Buttercup'. Lord knows I needed help with that.

Anyway, with exams over, I should be back and blogging again (regularly) in no time. Grades are due next week, Friday, so I'm pretty nervous. I hope all the plus points that I have accumulated can count for something. :)


Jay~

Friday, 5 December 2008

In Loving Memory, Hannah Nawan

The Chicken Board misses you.
We love you.

Hannah Nawan
August 19, 1988 - December 5, 2005



Jay~

Wednesday, 3 December 2008

Hell Week Part 1

The first week of my 2 weeks of hell are about to conclude, and I must say it has been very productive.

So far, I've accomplished the following:

- IPOLECO Film Review.
- USAHIST Book review.
- USAECON Presentation.

I will be delivering my USAECON presentation on Child Labor in the United States tomorrow. I can't wait! :) I haven't had a class yet where I was not the best presenter, and I don't see any reason why this should be any different.

Off to the books again..


Jay~