I remember about a year ago, on our orientation day, we already had to prepare for our mock recitation. I spent two or three days reading two short cases, memorizing every detail. I walked around the house, trying to tell everyone how the story went on. But on the day of our mock recit, it felt as if I didn’t know a thing. When you’re sitting in front of the professor who made you feel insignificant, you’d just wish the earth would just swallow you alive. But I was lucky because I wasn’t called. As the weeks progressed, my inferiority complex just sucked the better of me and almost made me quit.

I was contemplating on quitting after a week in law school. I even had a long, tearful talk with my mom and dad. It was so painful, I couldn’t stop crying when we went to Church to hear mass. I didn’t know what I was doing in law school–heck I could be earning money with my college degree or dancing in a professional ballet company–but not this. I thought that maybe I was in a haste when I decided I want to be a lawyer.

I was told to hold on for one more week; we were even computing how much money I could refund from my tuition fees. Then the weeks became months. What we initially planned, and agreed upon was to take an LOA after first semester, then reflect hard and seek other options. But I guess as the weeks went by, the hardships became more bearable; until I became so used to it that I look forward to reading cases, to waking up early only to be shouted when we get to school, to preparing for recitations and skipping lunches just to have a decent grade.

My first year has been one heck of a roller coaster ride and I’m enjoying the thrill. It’s exhilirating–with all the UPs and DOWNs, I don’t think I’d ever be needing songs (or drugs) to psyche me up. My family and friends helped me have fun during the trip, and I’m forever grateful to them. And of course, to HIM.

So long summer.

Second year, here I come.

Prevention & Treatment

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against this new H1N1 virus. There are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
2. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
3. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
5. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
6. Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms beginor until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

Other important actions that you can take are:

1. Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
2. Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus through coughing or sneezing?
If you are sick, limit your contact with other people as much as possible. If you are sick, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.

What is the best technique for washing my hands to avoid getting the flu?
Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs. Wash with soap and water or clean with alcohol-based hand cleaner. CDC recommends that when you wash your hands — with soap and warm water — that you wash for 15 to 20 seconds. When soap and water are not available, alcohol-based disposable hand wipes or gel sanitizers may be used. You can find them in most supermarkets and drugstores. If using gel, rub your hands until the gel is dry. The gel doesn’t need water to work; the alcohol in it kills the germs on your hands.

What should I do if I get sick?
If you live in areas where people have been identified with new H1N1 flu and become ill with influenza-like symptoms, including fever, body aches, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea, you should stay home and avoid contact with other people. Staying at home means that you should not leave your home except to seek medical care. This means avoiding normal activities, including work, school, travel, shopping, social events, and public gatherings

If you have severe illness or you are at high risk for flu complications, contact your health care provider or seek medical care. Your health care provider will determine whether flu testing or treatment is needed

If you become ill and experience any of the following warning signs, seek emergency medical care.

In children, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

1. Fast breathing or trouble breathing
2. Bluish or gray skin color
3. Not drinking enough fluids
4. Severe or persistent vomiting
5. Not waking up or not interacting
6. Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
7. Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

In adults, emergency warning signs that need urgent medical attention include:

1. Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
2. Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
3. Sudden dizziness
4. Confusion
5. Severe or persistent vomiting
6. Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough

Something that made me almost cry today.

From Wikipedia:

Kiwi are flightless birds endemic to New Zealand, in the genus Apteryx and family Apterygidae.

At around the size of a domestic chicken, kiwi are by far the smallest living ratites and lay the largest egg in relation to its body size.^[2] There are five recognised species – all of which are endangered.

The kiwi is a national symbol of New Zealand.

I feel so shetty today. And sad.

Sometimes, I’d just like the earth to swallow me.

I need a joke or a hug.

Yes. I remember a friend telling me that during our oblicon orals. She told me our professor said that while her classmate was doing her orals. When you look puzzled and whatever.

So that is the name of the game.

At least it’s a progress. Not so much of a big step. But it’s risky. I might once AGAIN lose it in the process. What the heck. I have only one life to live and I don’t want to regret anything.

Like what Soderling is pretty much doing at this moment. Go Soderling. Beat the crap out of Nadal.

TEN WHATS:

What was the first thing you thought about when you woke up?
-”affirmative action”

What did you do last night?
-went to the Green Light Sale

What would you rather be doing right now?
-taking my dog to the vet

What did you last scream over?
-my dog eating my slippers

When is your next day off and how are you going to spend it?
-Um on monday. I’m going to Pampanga

What always makes you feel better when you are upset?
-Eating something I crave for.

Whats the most important thing you look for in a significant other?
-loving AMF

What are you worried about?
-umm things slipping away from my grip

What are you looking forward to most in this week?
-makita siya LOL

NINE HAVE YOU EVERS

Have you ever liked someone who had a girlfriend/boyfriend?
-YES WAHAHA

Have you ever had your heart broken?
-yes

Have you ever been out of the country?
-no, but i want to

Have you ever been backstabbed by a friend?
-maybe?

Have you ever had the cops called on you?
-wala pa

Have you ever cheated on a test?
-nope

Have you ever read an entire book in one day?
-i couldn’t remember, but yes, i think i did

Have you ever got a speeding ticket?
-nope

EIGHT WHOS

Who was the last person you saw?
-mom

Who was the last person that slept in your bed at the same time as you?
-mom

Who was the last person you texted?
-text? what text?

Who was the last person you called?
-mom

Who is the last person you freaked out on?
-mom

Who did you last hug?
-mom

Who did you go with to your 1st school dance?
-jon haha

Who is your best friend?
-hmm rhonda

SEVEN WHENS

When was your last shower?
-yesterday pa

When did you last see your mom or dad?
-5 minutes ago

When was the last time you danced?
-march 30

When did you get married, or when do you want to?
-hmm 6-7 years from now

When did you last go to the movies and with whom?
-movie? what movie? LOL

When did you last take a vacation and where?
-pampanga, last week

SIX WHERES

Where do your grandparents live?
-quezon

Where did you last hang out?
-trinoma, hahaha

How do you get to school?
-car

Where is your favorite place to be?
-home

Where did you sleep last night?
-bed

Where would you like to move?
-australia!

FIVE DO / DOES

Do you like someone right now?
-yes

Are you in love?
-nope

Do you ever wish you were someone else?
-hahaha

Do you have nightmares?
-yup

Does the future scare you?
-nope

FOUR WHYS

Why are you best friends with your best friends?
-what a question

Why did you get a MySpace?
-nope, i dont have one

Why did your parents give you the name you have?
-they thought it was nice

Why are you doing this survey?
-it’s 8:48 in the morning

THREE IFS

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
-teleportation

If you could go back in time and change one thing, would you?
-yes. but of course, changing the past will change the future. so this is purely a hypothetical, non-scientific question

If you were stranded on a deserted island and could bring one thing, what would it be?
-food

TWO WOULD-YOU-EVERS

Would you be your friend if you were someone else?
-yes. i’m cool

Would you ever shave your head to save someone you love?
-yes

ONE LAST QUESTION

Are you happy with your life right now?
-YES

WHAT WAS YOUR:
1. last beverage: water
2. last phone call: mom
3. last text message: WAIT, may cellphone pala ako?
4. last song you listened to: Taylor Swift – Love Story
5. last time you cried: can’t remember.

HAVE YOU EVER:
6. dated someone twice:  yuh
7. been cheated on: nope
8. kissed someone & regretted it: yuh
9. lost someone special: yes
10. been depressed: yes.
11. been drunk and threw up: not yet!

LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS:
12. Red
13. Purple
14. Carnation Pink

THIS YEAR HAVE YOU: (2009)
15. Made a new friend: yes
16. Fallen out of love: no
17. Laughed until you cried: yes
18. Met someone who changed you: nope
19. Found out who your true friends were: hmm
20. Found out someone was talking about you: i don’t know
21. Kissed anyone on your Facebook friends list: hahaha yes

GENERAL:
22. How many people on your Facebook friends list do you know in real life: hmm, “to know” is such a philosophical question
24. Do you have any pets: YES! his name is RR
25. Do you want to change your name: sometimes. change it to Apple.
26. What did you do for your last birthday:  candle blowing
27. What time did you wake up today: 6:52 am
28. What were you doing at midnight last night: facebook
29. Name something you CANNOT wait for: christmas
30. Last time you saw your Mother: 2 minutes ago
31. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: being less tactless
32. What are you listening to right now: the sound of the fan
33. Have you ever talked to a person named Tom: haha not yet!
34. What’s getting on your nerves right now: nothing really. chill.
35. Most visited webpage: Ymail, Facebook, Multiply
37. Nicknames: A lot!
38. Relationship Status: In solitude
39. Zodiac sign: Capricorn
40. Male or female: female
41. Elementary: School of the Holy Spirit, QC
42. High School: Philippine Science High School
43. College: Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines
44. Hair colour: dark brown to black
45. Long or short: long
46. Height: 5′2″
47. Do you have a crush on someone?: yes
48. What do you like about yourself? a lot. conceited amf!
49. Piercings: ears
50. Tattoos: none yet
51. Righty or lefty: righty

FIRSTS :
52. First surgery: wisdom tooth extraction
53. First piercing: ears
54. First best friend: i cant remember! i was 4 back then.
55. First sport you joined: kickball
56. First vacation: in a swimming pool, i think
58. First pair of trainers: as in shoes? nike

RIGHT NOW:
59. Eating: nope
60. Drinking: none
61. I’m about to: reply to a friend (hi rhonda)
62. Listening to: sound of the fan
63. Waiting on: …

YOUR FUTURE :
64. Want kids? yes
65. Get Married? yes
66. Career? corporate lawyer who gives to charity lol

WHICH IS BETTER:
67. Lips or eyes? eyes
68. Hugs or kisses: hugs!
69. Shorter or taller: taller
70. Older or Younger: older
71. Romantic or spontaneous: romantic
72. Nice stomach or nice arms: nice arms
73. Sensitive or loud: sensitive
74. Hook-up or relationship: relationship
75. Trouble maker or hesitant: neither. i want steads, chill lang.

HAVE YOU EVER :
76. Kissed a stranger: no
77. Drank hard liquor: yes
78. Lost glasses/contacts: no
79. Had sex on first date: no
80. Broken someone’s heart: haha
81. Had your own heart broken: yes
82. Been arrested: no
83. Turned someone down: ahahhaa
84. Cried when someone died: yes.
85. Fallen for a friend? yes

DO YOU BELIEVE IN:
86. Yourself: yes
87. Miracles: yes
88. Love at first sight: no
89. Heaven: yes
90. Santa Claus: yes
91. Kiss on the first date: hmm yes, cheek
92. Angels: yes

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY:
93. Had more than one bf/gf? no (
95. Did you sing today? yes!
96. Ever cheated on somebody? no
97. If you could go back in time, how far would you go, and why? before 4th yr high school.. um.
98. If you could pick a day from last year and relive it, what would it be? christmas
99. Are you afraid of falling in love? yes
100. Posting this as 100 truths? sure.

Ten things you wish you could say to 10 different people right now (don’t tell us who it is)

1. Ikaw kasi yun.
2. It’s not fun without you.
3. Hi! My name is…
4. Kita kits uli.
5. O, anong bago sayo? Kwento naman!
6. Kayo na?
7. Sana ako na lang. Ako na lang uli. WAHAHAHA (Bea to John Lloyd, parang masaya lang sabihin)
8. Ang feeling mo.
9. Tara, shopping tayo!
10. Thanks.

Nine things about yourself:

1. I’m allergic to shrimp and other seafood.
2. My favorite movie when I was a child was Tasya Fantasya starring Kris Aquino and Alvin Patrimonio.
3. I’m afraid of getting near the railings in the malls.
4. I’m a fan of Charlene Gonzales-Matt Mendoza tandem in Dyesebel.
5. I started reading when I was 3.
6. I know how to play the guitar and the violin. Choz.
7. I laugh and sit while sleeping.
8. I dream of being a superhero with superpowers.
9. I once stapled my finger to get my dad’s attention. (brat)

Eight ways to win your heart:

1. Make me laugh.
2. Always look fresh and clean.
3. Have a college degree (preferably doctor, engineer or lawyer).
4. Have long walks with me.
5. When I offer something to eat, you eat it or else.
6. Don’t shout at me.
7. Have real conversations with me.
8. Live life the way you want it.

Seven things that cross your mind a lot:

1. Si “ano”
2. Family
3. Friends
4. Food
5. Law Books
6. Sexy actors
7. Dance

Six little stupid things you want to happen to you before you die:

1. Have a place, or building named after me.
2. It’s not stupid: play the Canon in D in my wedding.
3. Be drunk like there’s no tomorrow.
4. Have 8 kids. Hahaha.
5. Roll down the stairs, from top to bottom.
6. Haha, go up the down escalator.

Five turn offs:

1. Smelly people.
2. Men who are tuod.
3. People who can’t keep promises.
4. Men who are arrogant.
5. Gaya-gaya kay tania. Men who are not taller than me.

Four turn ons:

1. Dancing and/or singing
2. Cute, bedimpled smile
3. Fresh looking face
4. Intelligent.

Three smilies that describe your life:

1. \:D/
2. ^_^
3. :s

Two things you wish you never did:

1. In my nene years, I said to someone that I liked him in front of so many people. KADIRI talaga.
2. Bombarded him with unnecessary text messages

One confession:

1. I want to get married.

Small talks.

Well we all try to get to the point. But we just don’t seem to get there. As Ted would say, we have to weigh the temperature. We can’t simply dive in.

Sometimes small talks work.

But other times, it doesn’t.

The small talk becomes too long and lacks focus. Now it’s even harder to say what we had in mind at first.
—
Anyway, does anyone have a copy of “He’s just not that into you”?

Lady Gaga’s Poker Face is just one of the most wonderful songs being played today in the radio. The real version sounds too techie (meaning too synthesized and computerized–> artificial) but I like like the acoustic/piano version sung by Lady Gaga. There’s a lot of passion and texture in her voice. But anyway.

Poker face…Maybe I’ve been one for the longest time. It’s hard to be too emotional. It’s much easier to hide them, buried deep down inside. Only to be discovered 10 years later, when everything’s over. Or so we thought.

Oh I forgot to mention, I’ve been dying to see you.

Lol. I mean, 10 freaking years after, and that’s the only time I feel it again.

***

Update update: Got sunburns after my Iba, Zambales trip. I love the beach and the waves!

***

I hope to post a longer and a more grammatically correct blog entry next time.