Camping

December 27 was the first day of the send-off camp, I woke up early in the morning waiting for Oliver to arrive at my house to fetch me to school. It was a little late when we arrived and we've got no more chance to buy for our packed lunch, it was he who really didn't have lunch because I was lucky that the bus that we staffs rode was able to stop-over at the bluewave gas station. It was near lunch time that the staff bus arrived paradizoo in Tagaytay, but still before having our lunch we have to pitch up our tents, simply looking at the size of the "Taiwan tent" that we 6 people of Large sizes are to use is driving my bed bugs aways. This first day everything went fine except for the sudden strike of the rain (by that time me and another staff were buying foods for dinner and next day lunch at the market) that made us wet by running through one corner to another of the wet market. Terrible...

On December 28, the camp was on it's second day, from 8am till 5pm I have my station of activity. On morning my puzzle game went perfect as what i have in my mind, but then on the afternoon activity that i handle, the water filter droop slower then expected but still successful. Due to this activities i missed both the farm activities that the members were able to enjoy and experience.

On December 29, the camp was near it's termination and the scouts were able to tour around Tagaytay's scenic spots like the grotto and picnic grove, the tour went fine and luckily I was able to join in since I have no activity to handle. after the tour everybody were lucky enough to enjoy good food for the dinner, because the dinner would be catered and that means no cooking no washing of dishes and no eating of half cooked rice for the scouts, too good! After dinner, no TAPS (lights off, 10PM all in tent), everybody was out near the resto near our campsite for the whole night till 5am where everybody was required to be awaked. Actually at first i thought that everybody would not sleep this day except for the staffs upward, except me because I know that my insomnia would attack me, that's why on that night i was the only person to guard inside the resto, at 2am everybody were still awake, but i keep asking them to go back to their tent and sleep, but unsuccessful everybody were very high, but alas by 3am everybody fell asleep and i was the only owl awake. i was reminded that nobody was allowed to sleep in the resto, but they were all really tired and I've got no choice except to wake them by 4:45am so that they will not be caught and i would also not be put into trouble. I could never forget how lovely this kids sleep in the chairs of the paradizoo restaurant, some were lying in the chairs, other were sleeping on the table, while others rolled themselves up.

By 8 am of December 30 everybody was ready to go, and after 2 hours of travel we arrived at school, all things were returned back to their proper locations, all utilities were returned back to the gym, all thing packed up, and my empty stomach unfilled with lunch.

This is the first camp that i was on the position as an adult and not just simply a member enjoying everything prepared by the staffs. And through this I can now understand that being a staff is really hard, much harder than being a member following. All were tired, that's why it was only now that I've updated by blog, after 4 months, wahaha.

Wonders of the Night

adopt your own virtual pet!

Ghost Month Feasts for the Dead

This lunar month, starting from August 13 and ending at September 9 of the year 2007, which is acknowledged as July for Chinese who use the lunar calendar. This month is also known as the ghost month, a month where Chinese believed that lost souls must be delivered to their designations through rituals called [fa hui] that are prepared by monks and Taoist practitioners.
Enough for an introduction of the Chinese ghost month. And also I forgot to mention that the celebration is exacted at July 15 lunar day (August 27, 2007) but the whole month is called a ghost month, and also in this day "alay" is prepared in respect for the dead.
So this month is really one busy month, because all prepares must be made exact as to what the "dead" wants to be served in his altar. This is done through throwing in the air a pair of convex shaped wood. To know how it looks like, just imagine a ball cut into four, use only a pair from the four, then there you have successfully made an image of the wood. To be said that you have achieved as what the dead wants things to be prepared, the two woods must land one on the convex side and the other by the flat side, else it means that you prepared not meeting "their" standards.

To include all the traditions of the Chinese during the ghost month would be too long to name, and this is the most basic for Chinese ghost month celebration. I am now concluding my "LECTURE?!", hope you can gain some insights. :-)

Preliminary Examinations

After a long break... Here I am again.

I can't say that the prelims is exhausting because of the interference of the typhoon duo that although did not hit metro manila directly but still affected the students of metro. Instead of finishing the prelims in just a week it takes 2 to finish.

Collegiate examinations is truly different from the ones we take at high school. And you are truly lucky enough if you have a good study habit. During high school examinations for me is taken for granted, I never reviewed for examinations in high school, because I am pretty confident that I can pass the exams. But in college, although I studied it over and over again but still none was registered into my brain.

The Mathematics exam really sucks, despite my confidence that I can pass the examinations with flying colors, but still I got one problem not solved. Believe me, that problem can deceive me once but never twice.

Within the exam period, vacation period was greater than exam period. But still during the prolonged vacation period I never tried to open the books.

Yesterday I was truly relaxed when I computed for my history (the subject that I feared most) grade, I prayed and prayed, and God answered the prayer. I totalled 71.7 for my preliminary period grade, too good to be true, I passed!

UWC Interview

Yesterday is sad day but also a day filled with worthy experiences.

It was half past six when my alarm clock rang, remembering that this day is my interview date for the UWC. Immediately after all the preparations, together with my dad, we left house with full hope to pass the interview. Arriving at the RCBC located in Makati at quarter to eight, we immediately registered at reception for the panel interview at the 46th floor of the Yuchengco Tower. Waiting diligently for my name to be called, many thoughts came fiercely into my mind. Then suddenly the ice broke and my name was called.

With three kind faces meeting me as I go in the interview room, more tension was made within me when my hand was asked for a shake. As if in a hurry, I was immediately interviewed by one of the interviewers unknown to me. And soon followed by Mr. Cesar Virata, then her daughter, this circulating process seems to end up shortly because of the fear inside me of not knowing how to properly face their musics. Unimaginably, the whole session took us about 30 minutes of stern looks, giggles, and happy smiles.

Arriving home, I immediately connected the internet and waited for the results to be posted on the net. Unfortunately, I received a text message from the selection committee that I did not rank first so if ever the selected student would drop the chance, then I may have the chance to acquire the chance to study at UWC located in HK.

Still, I have to congratulate the chosen student who is studying at the Philippine Science High School in Legaspi.

Hay... Better luck next time...