When the semestral break comes, bum time, DVD Marathons and pig-out sessions are the usual things students do. Semestral breaks, happening after the First Semester, give students time to relax, enjoy life, give the mind a rest after 18 straight weeks of study (for Ateneo students).
As this is my last "sem break", I would want it to be a special one. Semestral Break started October 17, 2010, and will end on November 7, 2010. A pretty short one as it is usually 4 weeks of vacation for us.
To date, I have stayed all-day at home only for one day (October 28, 2010). I have been going out, fixing documents I need, going to places such as Tagaytay City for the MTG International Mathematics Educators Conference (as a registration person, not a participant).
Now going to the fun part. I have watched movies, again! I downloaded some via torrent, and watched others from TV. In one night, I watched thriller movies Final Destination 3 and The Final Destination (aka Final Destination 4). As I have watched the first two movies of the same name when I was younger, I decided to watch these movies in time for Halloween. Here in the Philippines, it is not a common thing to actually celebrate and party during the Halloween season. We instead spend October 31, November 1 and/or November 2 in cemeteries, visiting our dead loved ones, paying respects to them. It is a Philippine tradition we call "Undas".
From Horror, I decided to watch light movies, including Cats and Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore and Grown-Ups. The former talks about Cats (Meows group) and Dogs (Paws group) working together to stop "evil cat" Kitty Galore. She was a former Meows agent. In one of her field works, she fell into a tub of hair-removal cream, losing all her hair. Without hair, her human caretakers didn't recognize her and got rid of her. She seeked revenge on dogs and humans, and later on, even on her fellow cats.
On TV, I also watched Shooter and iRobot. I can't say I liked these movies, but they're so-so. Not my type of movies, I guess.
And just today, I watched two disaster films, Locusts and Prinaha 3D. I just seem to not get over disaster films. As their titles connote, the films are about animals/insects affecting humans, by eating their food and/or eating humans themselves alive.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
A Very Special Day
Whenever someone celebrates his/her birthday, he/she is actually starting the next year of his life. Say as I celebrate my 21st birthday, I'm actually starting my 22nd year of life.
This day is special.
1st Reason: Today is the last day of my last first semester in Ateneo (unless I get a higher post-graduate degree). I had my last exam for the semester for AMF 290 earlier today, at 9 AM, and passed the group project for the same class.
2nd Reason: Since today is the last exam day, then today also marks the first day of the 3-week semestral break. It's a time to unwind, relax and enjoy life without worrying about school.
3rd Reason: Today marks the end of my 21st year of existence. Some people say that I am about to start my 21st year of life, which is a misnomer, as explained above. But anyway, I'm happy for life, happy for my family, happy for my friends.
I'm ready to face and start the 22nd year of my life, going legal in terms of age for the US. I'm ready for new challenges awaiting me.
Thank you, Lord.
This day is special.
1st Reason: Today is the last day of my last first semester in Ateneo (unless I get a higher post-graduate degree). I had my last exam for the semester for AMF 290 earlier today, at 9 AM, and passed the group project for the same class.
2nd Reason: Since today is the last exam day, then today also marks the first day of the 3-week semestral break. It's a time to unwind, relax and enjoy life without worrying about school.
3rd Reason: Today marks the end of my 21st year of existence. Some people say that I am about to start my 21st year of life, which is a misnomer, as explained above. But anyway, I'm happy for life, happy for my family, happy for my friends.
I'm ready to face and start the 22nd year of my life, going legal in terms of age for the US. I'm ready for new challenges awaiting me.
Thank you, Lord.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Watching Glee
Episode 1: Audition
Sunshine Corazon and Sam Evans introduced, with former Glee member Matt Rutherford transferring out. We see Sunshine Corazon transferring to another school, joining Vocal Adrenaline and Sam Evans still unsure as to whether joining Glee Club will be good.
Episode 2: Britney/Britanny
Britanny S. Pierce finally gets noticed. We see a new dimension from her character. Paying tribute to pop icon Britney Spears, the show lacked story, and instead focused on Britney songs being performed.
On the one hand, making Britney appear as a sex-driven craze makes me think this episode didn't pay tribute to Britney the way they should have. On the other hand, looking deeper, with those fantasies of Britney arising after being put down by anaesthesia means that in our generation, Britney is defitely embedded to the core of our existence. She has, and will always be, part of this generation's history.
Episode 3: Grilled Cheesus
I thought this episode will be offensive and blasphemous. I thought I wouldn't like this episode at all. I even delayed watching it for three days as I was not feeling right about Jesus' name being changed to Cheesus to create the effect they want.
After finally watching the episode, I can safely say, that this episode is one of, if not, my favorite episode(s) in Glee. I somehow can relate to the personal communication with God, and the questioning on my personal beliefs and faith.
When I was in Singapore, I met friends who asked me questions about my religion. Being a Catholic all throughout my life, I thought I can easily answer their questions. They were non-Catholic Christians, and they posed questions which aren;t offensive, but really made me think hard about my religion. I was stumped with some of their questions. I didn't even know the answer to simple core truths of my religion. My Muslim friend also asked me about Catholicism, and I found just how similar and yet different Islam and Catholicism are.
Episode 4: Duets
I liked this episode as the theatrical parts and story were both present. As what I've mentioned as a comment in another web review, this episode exposed us to a lot of realities in High School. Fitting in, insecurities, friendships (and the lack of it), loneliness, strength and courage to move on and take chances once again. All from Sam, Kurt and Quinn.
I think the duets were great, with Santana and Mercedes as the best duet in my honest opinion. As for the rest:
Rachel/Finn - not so good. I don't get why it's offensive though.
Sam/Quinn - kinda ordinary, but their blending was really good.
Mike/Tina - I wish they can actually let Mike sing a song, maybe a song where his voice fits.
Sunshine Corazon and Sam Evans introduced, with former Glee member Matt Rutherford transferring out. We see Sunshine Corazon transferring to another school, joining Vocal Adrenaline and Sam Evans still unsure as to whether joining Glee Club will be good.
Episode 2: Britney/Britanny
Britanny S. Pierce finally gets noticed. We see a new dimension from her character. Paying tribute to pop icon Britney Spears, the show lacked story, and instead focused on Britney songs being performed.
On the one hand, making Britney appear as a sex-driven craze makes me think this episode didn't pay tribute to Britney the way they should have. On the other hand, looking deeper, with those fantasies of Britney arising after being put down by anaesthesia means that in our generation, Britney is defitely embedded to the core of our existence. She has, and will always be, part of this generation's history.
Episode 3: Grilled Cheesus
I thought this episode will be offensive and blasphemous. I thought I wouldn't like this episode at all. I even delayed watching it for three days as I was not feeling right about Jesus' name being changed to Cheesus to create the effect they want.
After finally watching the episode, I can safely say, that this episode is one of, if not, my favorite episode(s) in Glee. I somehow can relate to the personal communication with God, and the questioning on my personal beliefs and faith.
When I was in Singapore, I met friends who asked me questions about my religion. Being a Catholic all throughout my life, I thought I can easily answer their questions. They were non-Catholic Christians, and they posed questions which aren;t offensive, but really made me think hard about my religion. I was stumped with some of their questions. I didn't even know the answer to simple core truths of my religion. My Muslim friend also asked me about Catholicism, and I found just how similar and yet different Islam and Catholicism are.
Episode 4: Duets
I liked this episode as the theatrical parts and story were both present. As what I've mentioned as a comment in another web review, this episode exposed us to a lot of realities in High School. Fitting in, insecurities, friendships (and the lack of it), loneliness, strength and courage to move on and take chances once again. All from Sam, Kurt and Quinn.
I think the duets were great, with Santana and Mercedes as the best duet in my honest opinion. As for the rest:
Rachel/Finn - not so good. I don't get why it's offensive though.
Sam/Quinn - kinda ordinary, but their blending was really good.
Mike/Tina - I wish they can actually let Mike sing a song, maybe a song where his voice fits.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
September: They just keep coming
They day after my last post, I watched the movie Hulk, starring Eric Bana, which deals with the Marvel hero/villain the Hulk. The monster comes out when the human-form gets angry or intense emotions. This resulted from the genes of his father (when his father infected himself with a mutant gene), and being irradiated from the lab explosion, which served as the trigger for the gene to mutate.
September 9, 2010
While waiting for Jess and Rod, then joining myself, Jman, Hector, Earvin and Aaron for lunch, I sat down on the bench under the Batibot Tree. When they managed to catch up, I stood up, crossed Fr. Masterson Drive, and a few steps more, found myself feeling something on my right neck, which I immediately took out with my left hand, throwing it to the ground. It was a caterpillar, or higad in Filipino.
Caterpillars are generally known to leave hairs or stings on the path to which they walked on. Coming in contact with skin, this results to irritation, immense itching and redness. As a person who's quite allergic to a lot of things, I was afraid that it may worsen. I went to the infirmary to ask for immediate assistance.
As of now, there are still rashes on my arms and right side of the neck. Caladryl lotion and anti-histamine meds helped a lot in making the itch go away, and healing the inflammation.
September 14, 2010
I just had a report today for Dr. David's class. I don't know how it went, but I'm glad that one requirement is half-over. I just hope that in the end, there will still be a decent result for me and my partner.
September 9, 2010
While waiting for Jess and Rod, then joining myself, Jman, Hector, Earvin and Aaron for lunch, I sat down on the bench under the Batibot Tree. When they managed to catch up, I stood up, crossed Fr. Masterson Drive, and a few steps more, found myself feeling something on my right neck, which I immediately took out with my left hand, throwing it to the ground. It was a caterpillar, or higad in Filipino.
Caterpillars are generally known to leave hairs or stings on the path to which they walked on. Coming in contact with skin, this results to irritation, immense itching and redness. As a person who's quite allergic to a lot of things, I was afraid that it may worsen. I went to the infirmary to ask for immediate assistance.
As of now, there are still rashes on my arms and right side of the neck. Caladryl lotion and anti-histamine meds helped a lot in making the itch go away, and healing the inflammation.
September 14, 2010
I just had a report today for Dr. David's class. I don't know how it went, but I'm glad that one requirement is half-over. I just hope that in the end, there will still be a decent result for me and my partner.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Four
I recently watched three Fantastic Four movies, two movies which were shown in the last decade, Fantastic Four and Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, and a 1994 "ashcan copy" movie version The Fantastic Four.
This week, I also watched a fourth film, The Time Traveller's Wife, which is a story about a time traveller and his life, and how he managed to visit a girl from her young age, who later on became his wife. The story, in a sense, asks us about out own lives, on how we face our ultimate end. It's somehow touching to see how Henry seems to be conflicted on accepting what is to come, when he sees the number 5 during his daughter's party. It's a movie that will make us think.
So what's with the number four? Nothing much. Except that on a personal note, there were four events which happened to the Philippines or to me and my family specifically which are worth mentioning.
1. The Manila Hostage Crisis - 25 were held hostaged, mostly Hong Kong citizen tourists, some mainland Chinese toursits, Filipino photographers and drivers, by a former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza. He instructed the driver to bring the bus to Quirino Grand Stand, where it stayed until the crisis ended at almost 9PM. Eight people died, Mendoza was killed, and nine others were injured.
2. Maria Venus Raj and Miss Universe 2010 - Maria Venus Raj, the controversial, almost-dethroned Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 2010, made it to the finals as the 4th Runner Up, the first time the Philippines made it back to the top 5 since the turn of the millenium. The last one who made it to the top 5 was Miriam Quiambao in Miss Universe 1999, where she placed as the First Runner Up. Maria Venus Raj's "major major" answer during the Q&A may have cost her the crown, but nonetheless, her placement is already a good thing for Filipinos.
3. Grandmom's 85th Birthday Celebration - My Grandmom from the mother side, Mama Lola as we forndly call her, celebrated her 85th birthday last Saturday. The whole Carbonel Clan was almost complete, with all my grandmom's children except for Sister Vangie who can't go to Manila as she is a contemplative nun, present during the said occasion. Ten out of eleven children present. All 11 of her grandchildren were also present. Celebrating a woman's 85th birthday is quite rare already, and hence it's a momentous occasion for all of us.
4. "Return of the Comeback" - As Smile fondly says, my sister finally came back to Manila! After her 36-day vacation (plus 2 days travel), she's finally back.
This week is filled with mixed emotions. Sadness was felt the whole day last Monday, a mix of happiness and sadness for Maria Venus Raj's win, and on a personal note, happiness for me and my family for the last two events.
I hope next week will be a good one as well.
This week, I also watched a fourth film, The Time Traveller's Wife, which is a story about a time traveller and his life, and how he managed to visit a girl from her young age, who later on became his wife. The story, in a sense, asks us about out own lives, on how we face our ultimate end. It's somehow touching to see how Henry seems to be conflicted on accepting what is to come, when he sees the number 5 during his daughter's party. It's a movie that will make us think.
So what's with the number four? Nothing much. Except that on a personal note, there were four events which happened to the Philippines or to me and my family specifically which are worth mentioning.
1. The Manila Hostage Crisis - 25 were held hostaged, mostly Hong Kong citizen tourists, some mainland Chinese toursits, Filipino photographers and drivers, by a former senior inspector Rolando Mendoza. He instructed the driver to bring the bus to Quirino Grand Stand, where it stayed until the crisis ended at almost 9PM. Eight people died, Mendoza was killed, and nine others were injured.
2. Maria Venus Raj and Miss Universe 2010 - Maria Venus Raj, the controversial, almost-dethroned Bb. Pilipinas - Universe 2010, made it to the finals as the 4th Runner Up, the first time the Philippines made it back to the top 5 since the turn of the millenium. The last one who made it to the top 5 was Miriam Quiambao in Miss Universe 1999, where she placed as the First Runner Up. Maria Venus Raj's "major major" answer during the Q&A may have cost her the crown, but nonetheless, her placement is already a good thing for Filipinos.
3. Grandmom's 85th Birthday Celebration - My Grandmom from the mother side, Mama Lola as we forndly call her, celebrated her 85th birthday last Saturday. The whole Carbonel Clan was almost complete, with all my grandmom's children except for Sister Vangie who can't go to Manila as she is a contemplative nun, present during the said occasion. Ten out of eleven children present. All 11 of her grandchildren were also present. Celebrating a woman's 85th birthday is quite rare already, and hence it's a momentous occasion for all of us.
4. "Return of the Comeback" - As Smile fondly says, my sister finally came back to Manila! After her 36-day vacation (plus 2 days travel), she's finally back.
This week is filled with mixed emotions. Sadness was felt the whole day last Monday, a mix of happiness and sadness for Maria Venus Raj's win, and on a personal note, happiness for me and my family for the last two events.
I hope next week will be a good one as well.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Getting Back on track
I haven't spent much time studying. I know I should, as I am still a student, but somehow, I am feeling the battery that is school. Now in my fifth year of continuous study, it seems as if my mind is telling me to give it a rest, and try to do something else. And with my newly found love for Movies, my mind is just getting the rest it needs.
Just this week, I managed to watch 8 movies. Last Monday, before my 830 AM class, I watched 28 Days Later, a story on an epidemic which spread all throughout England. Last Wednesday, right after my 830-930 class, I watched Step Up 3D at Gateway with my friend Darren, who thankfully had discounts for movies through Citibank purchases. I had to go back to Ateneo right after to catch my make-up 2:30-3:30 class. That same day, I managed to squeeze in watching Planet of the Apes (morning, before 8:30 class), Godzilla (after dinner), and The Happening (right after Godzilla). Good thing that we didn't have class last Thursday.
Yesterday, I finally got to watch City of Ember and How to Train your Dragon, two wonderful films. The former deals with a city built way underground, in an effort to save humanity from the world. People were supposed to stay there for 200 years, and after which, should follow instructions hidden in a time-sealed box, passed on to each mayor of the city. But when the box was lost, so was the possibility of getting out, until the generator giving light to the city started to have big problems, causing blackouts. The box, which was left hidden in the Mayfleet care, was found by a kid. And the journey goes on.
The latter is a movie on a Viking village and their problems with dragons. Hiccup, the lead character, somehow differs physically from the regular vikings. Beneath the frail structure is actually that kindness to dragons, making him not able to kill one, and ends up befriending it, and hence, training the dragon. The fierce night fury dragon has lost half it's tail, and Hiccup, furnished different tails for it. In the end, Hiccup loses his left foot, mirroring that of the dragon losing half its tail.
I found the stories of these two movies quite amusing and actually fun and thrilling to watch. Today, I watched the Dark City, which somehow resembles that of the City of Ember, with a darker tone.
In the end though, I have to start dealing with my Acads, and focus on them. I have to stop watching movies everyday, and instead use my time studying.
Just this week, I managed to watch 8 movies. Last Monday, before my 830 AM class, I watched 28 Days Later, a story on an epidemic which spread all throughout England. Last Wednesday, right after my 830-930 class, I watched Step Up 3D at Gateway with my friend Darren, who thankfully had discounts for movies through Citibank purchases. I had to go back to Ateneo right after to catch my make-up 2:30-3:30 class. That same day, I managed to squeeze in watching Planet of the Apes (morning, before 8:30 class), Godzilla (after dinner), and The Happening (right after Godzilla). Good thing that we didn't have class last Thursday.
Yesterday, I finally got to watch City of Ember and How to Train your Dragon, two wonderful films. The former deals with a city built way underground, in an effort to save humanity from the world. People were supposed to stay there for 200 years, and after which, should follow instructions hidden in a time-sealed box, passed on to each mayor of the city. But when the box was lost, so was the possibility of getting out, until the generator giving light to the city started to have big problems, causing blackouts. The box, which was left hidden in the Mayfleet care, was found by a kid. And the journey goes on.
The latter is a movie on a Viking village and their problems with dragons. Hiccup, the lead character, somehow differs physically from the regular vikings. Beneath the frail structure is actually that kindness to dragons, making him not able to kill one, and ends up befriending it, and hence, training the dragon. The fierce night fury dragon has lost half it's tail, and Hiccup, furnished different tails for it. In the end, Hiccup loses his left foot, mirroring that of the dragon losing half its tail.
I found the stories of these two movies quite amusing and actually fun and thrilling to watch. Today, I watched the Dark City, which somehow resembles that of the City of Ember, with a darker tone.
In the end though, I have to start dealing with my Acads, and focus on them. I have to stop watching movies everyday, and instead use my time studying.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Thinking
In the recent days, I have been obsessing on Disaster movies, science fiction movies on global warming, and natural calamities. I have watched TV miniseries 10.5 and its sequel 10.5: Apocalypse, as well as CBS miniseries Category 6: Day of Destruction and Category 7: The End of the World. These movies which contemplates and depict the future of the Earth really interests me. Even when I was young, this has already been my favorite movie genre. It's exciting and at the same time, intriguing, to watch shows which show what might happen to the Earth. It's fun to actually learn on the one hand, or criticize the dumbness of the situation on the other.
Aside from these, I have spent time watching philosophical movies. In my last blog entry, I mentioned that it was Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr., which entailed a lot of thinking, due perhaps to the lines. Aside from this movie, I watched the Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy movies Before Sunrise and its sequel 9 years later, Before Sunset. The latter really made me think about my past experiences on living abroad, meeting people, and possibly, meeting them again in the near future. Will it be ever possible for me to meet up with those people I met from all over the world? Or will this remain a dream unfulfilled? I hope that it's the former that will happen to me.
As I had enough time before my MWF class, I watched another Ethan Hawke movie, Daybreakers, which deals with the future of humanity, turned into vampires. I'm expecting to watch another movie from this genre within the week, the movie 28 Days Later.
Speaking of disasters, I happened to watch a "disaster" movie, in the sense that the movie was literally a disaster. Jawbreaker is a chick flick infused with horror. Maybe for many it is a thriller, but to me, it simply lacked anything which interests me as a viewer. It's just not my thing, I guess.
I have been watching a lot of movies recently, just to pass time when I arrive very early in school. I can't do much when I'm there anyway. And besides, most movies I watch do make me think about my current situation, and what could happen to me in the future, which no one really can predict. But one thing's for sure, I'll be watching more movies this week,. including How to Train Your Dragon.
***
My sister's going home in less than 2 weeks!
Aside from these, I have spent time watching philosophical movies. In my last blog entry, I mentioned that it was Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr., which entailed a lot of thinking, due perhaps to the lines. Aside from this movie, I watched the Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy movies Before Sunrise and its sequel 9 years later, Before Sunset. The latter really made me think about my past experiences on living abroad, meeting people, and possibly, meeting them again in the near future. Will it be ever possible for me to meet up with those people I met from all over the world? Or will this remain a dream unfulfilled? I hope that it's the former that will happen to me.
As I had enough time before my MWF class, I watched another Ethan Hawke movie, Daybreakers, which deals with the future of humanity, turned into vampires. I'm expecting to watch another movie from this genre within the week, the movie 28 Days Later.
Speaking of disasters, I happened to watch a "disaster" movie, in the sense that the movie was literally a disaster. Jawbreaker is a chick flick infused with horror. Maybe for many it is a thriller, but to me, it simply lacked anything which interests me as a viewer. It's just not my thing, I guess.
I have been watching a lot of movies recently, just to pass time when I arrive very early in school. I can't do much when I'm there anyway. And besides, most movies I watch do make me think about my current situation, and what could happen to me in the future, which no one really can predict. But one thing's for sure, I'll be watching more movies this week,. including How to Train Your Dragon.
***
My sister's going home in less than 2 weeks!
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