Trailer's FINALLY out (two days ago)!

It's funny how it took me 2 days to finally calm down (a bit) to share this wonderful piece of a tease that is the first Captain America: Civil War trailer. 

I have watched this on loop more times than I cared to count. I am barely holding onto my sanity as it is.

I won't explain what is up with the hype, especially to those who are not fans of comic-based films, because I respect those people. However, I am more than happy to share the joy and excitement with my fellow fantards. Who wants to watch with me?

Daily Movement

Dad’s been giving me natural laxatives every morning. 

As part of what my dad believes is healthy living, he makes a drink-blend of apples, bananas, carrots, and whatever other fruits and vegetables available in the kitchen. Basically, he tosses everything (chopped in small cubes) in a blender. The concoctions are baby food-like – usually more solid than liquid – and call for spoons instead of straws. The texture is far from that of a smoothie: dad simply uses a blender instead of a juicer to keep the fibers in. The taste is, well, a blend of everything –fruity sourness and bitter peels, sometimes sweetened by ripe bananas or another fruit. It’s not much visually, but that is what is expected of mashed produce. It is the nutrients inside that count, my dad keeps telling me.

We (mom and I) usually drink them after breakfast. It makes a good non-sweetened dessert for me, easily consuming a bunch of fruits in a few gulps.

And in a few minutes, the toilet seat is my throne for half an hour.

How to adult?

I lived with the notion that on one of my birthdays, something will magically click, switching on an adult version of me inside – one that is mature, responsible, and wise. I thought it would happen on my eighteenth birthday – the "debut to adulthood".

Well, it didn’t. Bummer, I thought, but it was not the end of days. I had three more years of undergrad, plus probably a few more in the workforce, unless I get into grad school, that might jolt my inner adult awake. Probably.

Crutches in the corner

Last year, I sprained my right ankle and spent about two weeks going to my classes walking with three legs (read: left leg and a pair of crutches).

It was a difficult period to have to walk with crutches, to say the least. My shoulders and underarms were extremely sore in the first few days. I got slight blisters on my palms. I am always exhausted at the end of the day, preferring to sleep over any school or org work.

On a lighter note, people (my dear friends!) who would lend a helping hand as I went building to building around campus, and up and down stairs and jeeps and cars now occupy a special place in my heart. Teachers who would announce that they won't be holding classes next meeting or gave free cuts became instant favorites. I felt relief more than anything for cancelled classes during this time for a thousand and one reasons.

In the end, I got a few good things out of an unfortunate event: muscle workout for my arms and chest, realization of the importance of a limb that has always been left for granted , and a support system with a lot of lovely people. (Yes, I was able to confirm that I have surrounded myself with people who would readily assist when needed.)

Now, the pair of crutches is left standing literally in a corner of the room, collecting dust. They were my best friends back then, taking on my weight and sweat-stench most days. But I do not want to have them as a necessity again any time soon, or not at all.

Homesick, maybe

It’s enrollment week at university and I’m back living in the dorms. One night in and, surprisingly, I already feel homesick.

I have been living separately from my family since high school and this angst rarely gets me. This morning is rather odd because, honestly, I only miss home a few weeks in the semester or when vacation’s coming up.

I realized this homesickness when I was in the shower. I start my day with a bath, but it was a cold morning so I wanted to get one quickly. I got in the stall, turned on the shower and, lo and behold, freaking freezing cold water sprayed at me. I could hear my teeth clatter and feel my legs shiver. However, I had no choice. I gritted my teeth and bathed hastily. In the middle of it all, a feeling of longing took over. I missed our heater at home, where I could get warm water and take my bath in peace.

After bathing, I had to go out and buy breakfast. I realized, again, just how I missed home, where warm meals are ready on the dining table when you have to eat. Or where you could cook up something you like.

At the end of the day, I had free time after I finished enrolling. I wanted to kill time online, but I had to leave the comfort of my room to get connected to wi-fi in the lobby. And then I started missing home again, where I can get wi-fi pretty much anywhere and my device connects automatically without the need for proxy settings.

I don’t know if I actually am homesick, but I am sure I do miss home.

Also, when will the cold days be over? Cold baths are a pain.

Torn between education and vacation

I'm two weeks back in school for the second semester after a three-week semestral break, but I'm already itching for Christmas vacation, especially that I found out that it will be three weeks long again. I know, I know. It's pathetic to be looking forward for something that I still haven't earned, with classes only just began.

To keep my head in the game, I decided to find some sort of inspiration. It has been written that the mainstream thing any girl my age would do is to look for a guy of her preference (a face of a celebrity, the height of a skyscraper, a 160-plus IQ, etc.) and develop a crush on him and melt every time he passes and have friends tease her to death. And, voila, she's "inspired" to study, possibly to get good grades, but honestly, to get attention from the guy. However, I find this idea not feasible for me because (1) most guys are taken or prefer their own, (2) swooning and melting and daydreaming about guys eat up a lot of study time, and (3) having unattainable standards is the curse of a fan of many fictional fandoms. Sigh.

Alarm

The toughest battle I face is the battle that I go through almost everyday: waking and getting up early. Thank God for the weekends when I could extend sleep. Otherwise, say hello to Zombie Naj.

My questions on Pac-Brad

After gathering my thoughts about the Pacquiao-Bradley bout earlier today, I have constructed a few simple questions to know your thoughts about it.

A little backgrounder first. Pacquiao lost even if his performance showed otherwise: more connected punches, almost knocked down Bradley twice (or thrice?). There were three judges as per policy and after twelve rounds, Bradley won by a split decision. This means one judge gave Pacquiao a higher score than Bradley; unfortunately, two did otherwise. And the news and chicanery spread all over the media and world like wild fire.

Of course, both boxers will still get money as per their contract.

Night at the New Dorm

First night at the dorm.

It's a new dorm. I just checked in today. I am trying to get the feel of my new home away from home, and as of the moment, I'm Kevin from Home Alone. (Good vibes, please? Because ghost stories are keep turning up in my mind.)

Forgive the low resolution. Taken by camera-phone.

Random things I do to pass time by

A few hours of sleep does not give me the rest that I needed from a sleepless night of wait and travel. However, it does not stop me from tagging along my mother and her sister to relatives on my maternal side.

I would be posting pictures of last night's travails right now, but I can't plug in anything into this laptop. This is my cousin's after all.

While they talk and catch up with the who, what, when, where and why of their lives, I sit on a big couch, freeloading-- food, Internet, throw pillows.

Goodbye, Summer

It's as if my heart is being squeezed like a stress-relieving ball and I don't think I'll get over this feeling soon.

It's past my bedtime already, I know, but I'm trying to prolong my stay here at home. At least my hours awake, that is. I still have some time to rest later since my flight is still tonight.

I have been packing my clothes and stuff in my suitcase for hours. Half the time, though, I wasn't even packing. I was just sitting on my bed with a lump in my throat that just can't go away. Up until now, I can't lock my suitcase yet.

Last Ten Days

The countdown for the last TEN days of summer vacation begins today. It's sad that break is almost over, but sadder still that I'm going back to school real soon. The first day of the school year will eventually become the first week. The the first week will just pass by and become a month. Before you know it, the finals are coming.

(c) numerologyzenzone.wordpress.com

But let's look at the bright side, shall we?

With the last days of summer knocking at my door, I suddenly realize everything that I have yet to do before classes begin. Being the student that I am, I cram everything in the last couple of days-- hours even-- before the deadliest deadline. Unfortunately, quality is foregone. I know that I should change, but cramming is just a bad habit that can't be easily, well,  changed. I'm sure you can understand, yes?

Happy Mother's Day

Talking about moms and how great they are makes me all sentimental and mushy, but I don't have enough words that can describe how I love my mom and how grateful I am for her. It makes me sad, though, that many people tend to forget how special their mothers are but magically remember on the second Sundays of May. Even worse, there are those unfortunate souls who don't even care about their mothers! I feel terribly sorry for them. So this isn't just for my mother, but for all the mothers out there.

I don't get to tell my mother how I love her every minute of the day, especially when I'm away for my studies. I try to find time to remind her how special she is for me. Fortunately, I get to celebrate her twice a year: her birthday and Mother's day. And today, my brother and I surprised her with something sweet and special, just like her.

Nanay (Filipino for mother) with her special treat.

Dark Shadows + Jessica Sanchez

I'm not a fan of vampire movies, especially since Twilight, but I have found an exception.

A few months ago, a friend of mine tagged me to a link to a movie trailer. She said that upon seeing the protagonist, she thought of me. When I watched the video, I knew what she meant. Can you guess why?

Book Adventures

There were power failures in the afternoons for almost a week now. As if on cue, the website I'm in would fail to load and the electric fan would stop spinning. Then my laptop beeps, which supposedly meant that it was unplugged from a power source.

Disappointed and irritated, I would turn off my laptop having nothing to do with it anymore. But then I start feeling grateful. I finally have time to get back to the printed pages of a book that I have left for cyberspace.

With a book at hand, I would open a door that leads to open air above a rooftop. (A porch wasn't built but the door stayed.) Having no electricity meant no electric fan to move cool air around. Fortunately, the afternoon breeze would be cool enough to keep me from sweating like a pig. I would set a throw pillow by the door ledge and sit on it cross-legged. Then, I would dive into the book ready for some adventure.

New Look 2012

It's summer and my best friend said she is boring herself to death.

It's summer and I have time to tinker with my blog.

And so it began. I have commissioned my best friend again to work her magic in Photoshop to create a new banner and background for my blog. She accepted the job for nothing in return. And, voila!

From this...

...to this.

Step Up 4

Activism is when you fight for a cause, usually something political or social. Often, demonstrations or rallies are the common course of action. That is, with placards and shouting and walking on streets and all-night vigils. Can there be any artistic forms of activism?

Yes. Dance.

Summer Plans

After almost an hour looking for taxi, my sister and I were able to bring home all my stuff from the dorm. It took us 2 cabs riding in convoy to take all the bags full of my clothes, school supplies, more bags and what-not to her apartment. Plus my bucket and electric fan. Packing them all was both tiring and shocking. I was overwhelmed by the amount of things I kept in my room. You see, nothing must be left behind. I was kind of embarrassed by all my huge baggage that I paraded from my room to the lobby and out of the dorm.

I packed my whole house. Ha!

So there you go. I was cleared and I left the dorm. Goodbye, Kalayaan Residence Hall. I will miss you and all the adventures and mishaps that occurred within your walls. I am a freshman no longer.

The good news? Summer vacation officially started! And since I won't be taking any summer classes in UP, I can do LOTS of things in the upcoming 2 months.

Dance, Dance

I have been listening to Kimbra's songs today. I'm beginning to memorize them, actually. Here's Kimbra's Good Intent.

After watching several music videos of Kimbra's songs, I have realized how much I really miss dancing.

I have been used to performing at least once a school year since nursery. Having none in my college freshman year is... unnatural? atypical? different? Whatever. But seriously, it's a new feeling for me. I really want to get down on the floor and do my thing. The beat, the music, the choreography, the all-night practices, the costumes, the final performance: I miss them all! Oh how I wish I can turn back time and keep on dancing like there's no tomorrow. Or at least, enjoy the performance again. Good times.

Lift it All

Oh God, why am I crying? I should be studying for my Finals tomorrow. Lord, help me get through this phase. I know I am not the only one in this world who feel stressed and frustrated, and college might just be a petty problem relative to those of millions of others'. But sometimes, I get carried away and forget why I'm here. And forget that Your always there waiting for me. Now, I lift it all to You because what I do is all for You!