Saturday, December 31, 2011

Young & Wild & Free 2011: So What We Get Drunk :)

Christmas vacation wouldn't be complete without a get-together with high school friends. From our simple "simbang gabi mini reunions" to our annual out-of-towns. 

This year, it saddens me to see that we can't manage to be complete even just for one night of Simbang Gabi. However, one of the highlights of my Christmas was getting away from the busy life in Manila and spending one night swimming, singing, drinking and basically just having fun with friends that never gets old (literally and figuratively. :) )

Here are some of our *cray cray moments:

...while waiting for the jeep

Three of my favorite people in the world: Pudong, Keka and Leng.

Drinking buddies of the night: Pudong and Papi :)

...STOPOVER!
KKs!!

Hello, video camera!

and LE FOOD!!! Menus that never get old during our trips. ;)

BBQ

Adobo

Turbo Chicken

Sisig (a.k.a. le pulutan!! Classic.)

The GIRLS! (Cheng, Madz, Jel, Krizzia, Ming --you guys were missed!!)

L-R: Jen, Keka, Juh, Oging, Leng and Jenn

Random photos while swimming and drinking!!! :D

with le puyatmate, Keks. ;)

The gang!


Dougie-ing. =))


The girls!! SHMEXY GIRLS, I have. :)

drinking session. ;)

favorite drinking buddy!!

drunk planking!

Yay! ;)

Stick-O endorsers, yes? 


After quite a number (let's not mention it here, shall we?) of Emperador, Bacardi Apple and Red Horse, and a super short sleeping time, here's how some of us looked like:
Someone is texting someone. ;)

Good morning, love! :)

And as the highlight of this trip,The Dougie:
ENJOY!

photo and video credits go to the awesome Elaine Osorio a.k.a. Leng :)


Until next time, high school loves! I am sure this wouldn't be our last. You all make my every vacation extraordinary. I love you guys!!

 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :) 


*cray cray --slang of CRAZY






Saturday, December 24, 2011

2011 Reality Check

So I cannot sleep as usual. And when I cannot sleep, I usually end up tweeting a lot, reading blogs of friends and searching random stuff over the internet. 


I spent my first few hours of Christmas day reading blogs of two people I am thankful I have met. The blog entries were good stuff, the kind that makes you reflect on how you are doing as a human being. Since it's six days away from 2011 to be over, I decided to make a little assessment and do the easiest way to hear myself talk: to blog. :)


What I love about blogging and reading blogs is you can have an instant reality check. It's nice that you can read people's thoughts on how they think they are making progress on their own lives and you can also assess how far you've been through. However, you should be ready on the mixed emotions you can possibly feel. It's like you'll automatically be bipolar because of the strong swing of emotions that could probably affect the way you live on the next few months but hey, it's self-awareness. 

So here goes:

On weight issues
I just came from an overnight outing with my high school friends last December 22-23 and one of my dear friends uploaded our pictures on Facebook. Sadly, I am not happy on how I look. I look really wide and thick, and my face is getting bigger. Kill me now for such a melancholic and epal description of myself but it's really painful to see how college calories changed how I look. When I was a frosh, I do not understand why some of my friends get really depressed when they gain weight. I mean, why starve yourself and deprive from the pleasure of eating if you can lose what you gained anyway? I, now, understand that it takes a lot of discipline; that once you started eating a lot, it's hard to get the control back. It will really really take a lot of courage to stop eating. Now, I get it. My plans of shedding weight leads me to another area I want to tap on 2012. 

On going to the gym, swimming and learning Judo
Two of the many reasons why I should be thankful for 2011 are meeting such fun and awesome friends and covering this year's UAAP Judo Tournament. 

I met a friend during an event in our school. Lately, we've been talking about ways on how to lose weight. The top choice is, of course, to go to the gym. Second is to swim and the third way, I'll discuss in another paragraph (and in another blog entry if time permits!) because it's too special. :)  The gym part, we'll see because I'm not the gym-type of person and I'm so lazy but I want to see it as one of the many ways to keep my life balanced. The swimming part, most likely we'll swim in our sports complex which requires me to wear proper swimming attire and being the conscious that I am, I doubt I have the guts to wear a swimsuit even if it's one piece but we'll see!! 

And for the special part...I'm planning to learn Judo next year. 

I used the term "planning to learn" instead of "joining the team" because really, I'll start from scratch and given that, I'm kind of shy and it feels like I'm not deserving to be part of them. I've said above that covering the UAAP Judo Tournament this year is very dear to me, not only because I finally know why the score suddenly turns into 100 (ippon) when one Judoka gets to throw his/her opponent (covering the previous tournament was a mess. I have no idea!!) but also for the reason that I've met Judokas from my school's Judo team that actually inspired me to become better and realize what real family/friendship is about. I have to admit though that what attracted me the most was their sense of belongingness and how they look out for each other. Sure, it is not pixie-dust-and-everything-nice kind of thing but the security of being part of their team was more than enough. I can say this not because I know a lot about them but it is so evident that you can just see it right through your eyes and feel it whether you're a dense kind of person or not. Second is, honestly, I like the thought of me throwing a person not because you're mad but you just want to. Sorry if this sounds so childish! But yeah, surprisingly, I found myself enjoying the sport.

Now, to be an athlete, one should love the sport first above anything else. In my case, I like the environment before the sport. Pretty much, I can say that the sport will be on the top notch of my list eventually but I am questioning myself if I am sure and if I can manage the work load. Now I understand why they say that a lifetime is not enough to do everything you want but who knows? :)

The friend I've mentioned above is also part of the team. At first, I didn't know unless I realized she looks familiar, turns out she competed on the tournament I covered! Can you imagine how small world can be? :) It's like meeting the end of my thought-circle!! ;)

On grades
Grades. Ugh. Grades. The common defense mechanism is "It's just grades" but really, I have to be serious on my studies soon. As for the grades that I got this term, they're not so good but I didn't fail anything which is better than failing. But then again, one shouldn't be contented on grades with no failures and I shouldn't be an exemption.


On the opportunity-seeking area
The most exciting part. I have observed and learned that I daydreamed a lot this 2011; not just about some crushes but also on who I want to be. The downside of this is that I JUST dreamed. Perhaps the sentence of my 2011 is, "I dreamed." Hopefully, 2012 will be "I conquered." (WOW. Why so serious? HAHA.)


On planning to get a double degree
The thought of getting a double degree has been playing inside my head for months now. Supposedly, I will be graduating on March but the turn of things got really awesome and made me realize that it's not about the span of time you spend in college; it's about the ride and the realization that you're ready to step on another prestigious stone. In my case, even if I will graduate on March 2013, it feels like I'm not ready yet.


On family & friends
Roller coaster. That is how I'll define my 2011 with family and friends. Early this year, I've been lost and feeling alone (Too emo, IKR) but as the cliche goes, there's no other way but to the top. What makes this year extraordinary is the new friends I've met along the way and our small fun adventures that always made my day! ;)


So how did your 2011 go? :)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Pre-Christmas thoughts

My mind is filled with thoughts of you
This heart goes wild from feelings that are true

The first time I met you, there was no spark
But upon seeing you again, I was sure something's right

You nodded and smiled like we've met before
I smiled back shyly and stared like I want you to do it once more

You said hello and I said hi
That moment makes me want to try
To test the water if the attraction is same as mine

You spoke formally and I did the same
'Til I saw you sit on the center of a crowd filled with love like there's no one to blame

Only to witness such attractive dedication
And the struggle to win with so much compassion

All the attention was on you
Including mine that got me through

The day ended and so are your hopes
But the character I saw in you was surely not a dope

I'm attracted to you
I want to get to know you

But the question is:
Do you feel the same as I do?

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Spontaneous vs. The Prepared

I was never a fan of christmas wish lists nor gift lists but I guess the situation asks for it. My head is too sabog (disorganized) of what I want (material or immaterial) so might as well make a list and straighten up. After all, this blog is about arranging all these disorganized thoughts of mine. 

**Trust me, if you know what it feels like, you will also get irritated and you can attest that it is NAKAKABOBO. 


Here goes my wish list/s (segregated from material to immaterial):

Material wish list:

1. Car 

This may sound very materialistic and immature but I honestly want (if this is not considered a need) a car because of two reasons: 

First, this is me having a statement of becoming bold (to my close friends, I didn't mean bold naked, okaaay. Ang defensive ko, omg. HAHAHA) and independent. GIRL POWER (so sabaw, sorry. *singing the song Run The World inside my head)!!! 

Second, I don't want my dad to do extra driving for me. I mean, he's tired from work then he will drive me all the way from home to the event, drive back home, wait for the event to finish then pick me up again. I appreciate my parents for bearing with me but I feel like there is a need to move on and be more independent; unless I am being too pa-independent. 

2. External hard drive.

I realized that I haven't been taking the effort to keep my drafts and published works. Being the disorganized that I am, my laptop is often either broke (overcharged or overused) or had crashed. Unfortunately, I haven't compiled my previous works. If I get an external drive this Christmas or as a birthday present, I am seriously going to compile everything and perhaps make a portfolio. :) 

Also, I've been planning to watch a lot of TV series like The Walking Dead, How I Met Your Mother (yes, ako na loser), Modern Family, etc. and continue watching Gossip Girl, Grey's Anatomy and my first love TV series, One Tree Hill. Unfortunately, my laptop memory isn't enough to accommodate these awesome shows! 


**sleepy na. to be continued (hopefully tomorrow.HAHA)


Monday, November 7, 2011

Substance.

Setting up a blog is not easy. It is high maintenance considering the time and ideas you invest. I even think of a blogger as an instant celebrity because in a way, you will expose yourself to the public (unless of course if you make your posts private) and you give them an option of invading your personal space or not. To a certain extent, your life will become an open book but you'll never know, you might inspire people or help them to stop being narrow-minded.

Sorry! I'm blabbering. 

Ready...Set...Go!

Okay, so the reason why I'm writing this entry is actually connected on my title. Substance. 

Earlier this morning, I was reading Angel Bombarda's latest post. Angel is my former editor-in-chief in The LaSallian. You can check out her blog here. Her blog is about, how the blog title goes, Chasing Columbia (apparently! Duh, Vrig, duh!!). Any reader will be inspired from all her travels and insights especially if you know where she is coming from. After reading one entry to another, you would most probably feel like the purpose of living is to travel and to figure out who or what you want to be. So I kept on reading and clicked the tab Who's Chasing? Apparently, that portion of her blog is where she introduced herself and stated the whole point of establishing her blog and that is, after learning that Columbia University is offering a double degree in Law and Journalism, she suddenly felt the desire to chase Columbia. I find it really awesome, substantial, inspiring and so connected to what she has been posting on her blog. I'm sure you find it pretty awesome too (wink wink!). It's like everything is wired to a series of adventure or some sort to chase a dream. 

And there goes Anna Oposa. Another blogger that I admire the most for her wit, intelligence, bibaness (if there's such a word), and love for marine life. Check out her blog here. You will laugh any time of the day and still feel like you actually learned something after reading her posts. 


...which got me thinking about my own blog. I even tweeted that I feel so ashamed (uh-oh. Here's the melancholic Vrig. Stop. Wait. Stop) of mine 'cause it feels like this doesn't have any substance, but oh well, everyone has to start somewhere. Perhaps as of now, what I'm chasing or figuring out is who I am (not that I am confused with my gender. Believe me, I'm sure I'm straight.) and what I am fighting for is my own mark not just in DLSU but to the whole world proving that a Filipina can standout in a respected and sophisticated (...and can I say posh and glamorous? 'cause I believe I am!!) way. 

On "student theories/types"

I've been having trouble focusing on my studies lately, and with the state of my midterm grades on some of my subjects, I am screwed. One of the many things I've learned for the past months is not to panic. It gives you shit when you expect the best. Out of boredom, I made up a couple of student theories based on the regular days when I feel like observing norms:

Theory #1: the "Oh-I-am-going-to-ace-next-term!-or-maybe-next-next-term" student

Normally, these are the students who performed poorly on their previous term. They either failed a subject or got a very low CGPA. These are the ones who experienced ice-cold hands while going to their university website, typed their username and password with hands shaking, closed their eyes after clicking 'View Grades', opened one eye to peek on their grades and tadaaaa! low grades as expected. Next thing they know, they are obsessing on food while saying "I will do good next term! I will be DL next term" over and over again. But then, the term they have been waiting for comes and history repeats itself. At the end of the day, they found themselves saying, "...or maybe next term."

Theory #2: the "almost-but-not-quite" student

Do you know that infamous bar "I did my best but I guess my best wasn't good enough." from the song Just Once by James Ingram? Yep, that is the perfect line to describe the almost-but-not-quite students. Every term, their GPA would be .05 or even .01 short from making it to the dean's list. They will also say, "next term will be MY term" but history, yet again, repeats itself.

Theory #3: the "I-just-did-what-had-to-be-done" student a.k.a the effortless student

Most of the time these are the consistent dean's listers and the overachievers. So far, I have never read or heard a student from this type that explains word-per-word their "secret" on why they are so good. When asked about what they do, they'll just answer the generic "enough hard work and discipline" kind of thing. Normally, you'll see them around either preoccupied with their thoughts, running around to beat a deadline or to make it on time for a meeting, or even in school papers either on the byline or they were the ones being interviewed. 

Theory #4: the ''eff school" student

These are the students who are not interested in school at all. I can think of two reasons: first, they might be the past "responsible students" but eventually got lazy because they failed a subject or two. Second, these may be the people like Steve Jobs who doesn't see the point of school at all but excels on other activities.


Apparently, there are still a lot of theories I have not covered but the sad state of my academic life is a mix of all these. I am always one of the people who finds it hard to describe herself because I think I am a mixture of all (sorry if it sounded like a narcissist). These days, I find myself indulging in food, Twitter, random ideas and dream jobs, blogs and future whatnots. Hopefully, it's not yet too late to gain momentum and ace this term.

xoxo,
Vrigy (feel ko lang na may ganito.HAHAHA.)

Sunday, October 30, 2011

This blog exists and will stay alive for the longest time because...

I started blogging when I was 14 years old. I have had several blogs before from blogspot to Tumblr to Wordpress writing about random what and whereabouts that have been happening in my life. I talked about the very infamous subject of teenagers: BOYS and some other issues I went through.
I WAS a drama queen after all. I realized that they were all about drama and silly battles I had a choice not to go through. Now, I got tired from it; must be because of all the complications and shiz or maybe I can consider myself mature enough (achievement unlocked!!!!) to shake it all off and move on. Anyhow, I made a promise not to linger on that aspect too long.

Here goes the reasons why I thought of creating this blog and made a vow that this will be the last time that I will transfer from one blog site to another:

1.  Blogging makes me sane and I haven't done it for quite some time.

When I was taking the introductory subject, MARKET1, for my course, my professor always stresses one thing: Keep doing what makes you sane. For the past three years, the only time I remembered writing a blog post was when I tried the 365 day-challenge but then I wasn't able to keep up because of the busy schedule (riiight). One observation I had about myself is that I easily get out of wire and it will take me a long span of time to recover; so now well, what can I say. I'M BACK! :)

2. I need to improve my train of thought and its cohesiveness.

Social media might be the culprit of this. From what my GREATWKS professor, Dr. Leslie dela Cruz said, social media greatly influences our attention span. It shortens because we're exposed to getting what we want in one click so I might use my web time as productive as possible.

3. I am too curious and writing is my medium. :)

I am interested in random things; Sports, travel, lifestyle, performing arts (especially hosting), food, photography. Name it! I want to be an all-around-type of person. They say the downside of being the all-around-type is that you will be kind of like a ''jack of all trades" person but I want to defy and prove that you can be excellent at everything if you want to. Like what Gretchen Barretto said on one of her YES! magazine interviews, "What if I can? What if I make it?"

4. I used to be good in words.

The thing is, I do not know how to draw. I can say that I am good at expressing myself through words and I'm kind of losing grip lately. If I suck on what should have been my strength, then I do not know how will I excel. Sorry for the drama but it's true. How will you make everything work wiithout knowing your strengths to nurture and weaknesses to develop and improve at?

5. And finally, I'd like to end the first of my final blogspot (which means no moving in and out to another anymore!!!) post with this:
Hello! I am Vrig. I want to be a thought-mover. This blog exists for my thoughts and some of my rants and will stay alive for the longest time because I choose to live curious. :)