Fast Times at Sci-Hi

8 years ago, exactly I graduated from high school. It was a blistering hot Saturday afternoon and I was dripping wet inside my white toga and was feeling both fulfilled to have finish and sad to be leaving a place, despite of its imperfections I've grown attached to. It was memorable in the sense because at that time I felt huge that I was able to cap another milestone in my life.

High school was indeed a learning experience. Not only was I able to acquire knowledge on the scientific names of the trees and plants in school (one proud Agriculture major here), Asian history, solving Trig problems, Filipino grammar and all those sciences that students from other schools don't have to take till college, the most that made an impact on me was how to tackle life. At that time high school taught me on how to deal with people of different personalities, consequences of losing your temper and half-meant efforts, striving in moments of adversities and quick and sensible decision making. Though right now I still need to improve on the last. Really. Those things I've mentioned became really useful not in college but still even today and the course I lived my life with. Most of these values I've started obtaining during high school and as I grew older and wiser (ahem) I've improved and still currently improving through every situation and every single day.

High school was also a blast. I mean it wasn't all balloons and cheeky but it had lots of ups and downs, happy and sad moments that helped me grow. Four years just went by, though the first two years kinda dragged a bit. I started Freshmen year really intimidated with the company of such magnificent people and I've really worked my ass off very much to prove to myself, my parents and everyone in school both teachers and students that I belonged there. But as the months kept on I've learned to relax and let go. Sophomore year, I became more assertive and happy go lucky I think. Those were the days of carefree me and man, it felt really liberating to be such. I was more aggressive in a sense this time and I would willingly put myself into a gabfest or debate with anybody whom I never liked or had a clash of opinion. My fondest memory of sophomore year was getting my own Internet connection and of course with my own phone at my room (let me remind you those days of dial-up, wherein if someone uses the Internet the phone will be busy). Weekends I would stay up late surfing HTML sites. Java and Flash was almost elitist back then. I would play games and search and print lyrics of the latest hits. I would also be updated on new movies and TV shows like Dawson's Creek. I secretly felt I was cool because I was so updated with information. I would download MP3s that would take a freaking hour just to finish one. I was also a chat addict that time. Talking which literally means typing all over the keyboard to both classmates or people from school and people from different countries. I believe this was the year teen angst took me over. Yup those days emo was still preconceive somewhere in someone else's mind. My angst continued throughout Junior year. It was full of drama, fights and I slacked off causing me to messed up Trigonometry and Chemistry and that was the time where I first encountered integrity and hard work. People were caught cheating at the end of that year and it affected the reputation of the batch. I'm glad I wasn't one of the perpetrators. One highlight of this year was taking home the championship crown over the Seniors. Right now it is petty but to a sea of fifteen year olds with racing hormones and equally competitive, that was BIG. Senior Year I was mostly preoccupied with CAT and enjoying every last of high school. Last Intramurals. Last Dance. Last Christmas party. I liked the first three grading periods of Senior Year. We were united. But during the last two months. It felt like everyone can't wait to get out of high school leaving me behind. I was also confused on the decision making regarding college. I was torn on whether to pursue a dream since childhood which was becoming a doctor or take something that is new of interest like literature, history, film or law. I went with the former.

High school brought a lot of memories for me. Right now it's all becoming a blurry memory. But every time I talked about it with friends and batchmates it suddenly becomes vivid and alive again.

Most of my bestest and closest friends are from high school. Dawnah, my partner in crime in malling, shopping and eating delicious food, is one of my best friends from high school. For two years now we regularly meet up once a month to catch up with occasional phone calls every week. Jo, my co-conspirator on books, movies, coffee and basically almost everything. I've met from high school. My wonderwall and ever accepting of my quirkiness and idiosyncratic nature. She is also my translator when I am lost in Philosophy. Though we have been classmates for only a year, we got even closer during college along with our coffee mates, Bingo and Julio, also from high school. We still keep in touch a lot composed of talking on the phone, e-mails and dinners and group hangs till the wee hours of the morning when she comes home to Cebu thrice a year. She is currently an incoming fourth year law student. Most of my closest friends from college were people I went to with from high school. We didn't hang out much but at college we had lots of fun moments from staying up all night to impromptu and spontaneous drinkfests. Most of them are already abroad exploring greener pastures. The rest of my friends are caught up in work, having cute babies and getting married or have already tied the knot.

High school was a part of my life that completely made sense after all. Everything that happened way back prepared me for what happened during and after college and the rest of my life. I met people who contributed a lot on life. Right now most of us still say hi or talk for a while when we meet at public places. We support each other's business and endeavors by recommendations and have prayed for each other's successes. My sensible support for the last three years of medical school were from high school. People who endlessly told me everything will be alright and have never complained that they are tired of listening to me rant and bitch about medicine and the people in medicine. You guys know who you are, and I am ever thankful for the support and love. 

Now I can't hardly wait for your ten year reunion by 2011. I hope that happens because I am excited to see those I haven't seen for years.

Top 5 Memories of Summer 2004

That was a great year indeed. Looking back, the summer was a prelude of how awesome overall the year was. Just simply reminiscing after five years...

1.) Making it into Internship First Batch

Very rewarding because it made the sacrifices, sleepless nights and self-deprecating days totally worth it going through them. Medical technology was tough. Imagine, at second semester junior year we had seven majors all crammed into one. The feeling when I found out that I passed all subjects and made it was indescribable. Superb and euphoric!

2.) Family Gatherings
It was the summer of April's 18th Birthday Bash, Alvin's graduation from high school, Uncle Franz's wedding which I regret missing but had no choice and little cousins Tara, Caitlin, Adele and Therese leaving for the US.

3.) Beach Parties
This was the year where I went to the beach every week in the course of four weeks. Georel and Eva's birthday party, celebration with college friends for passing and family day trip to Plantation Bay.

4.) Getting addicted to American Idol
Cable TV aired this show for the first time albeit two weeks late but still good entertainment. We were rooting for Jasmine Trias to win it but then midway she faltered and cracked under pressure.

5.) Hanging out with High School Friends
From splashing around in the beach, or sitting around in the mall devouring ice cold treats and exploring downtown, going to book fairs and buying pirated DVDs it was the summer of reconnection. The last summer of less responsibility days. A year after we graduated from college and got a little serious, so the times spent that summer will always remain in my memory as carefree, casual and spontaneous as frolicking around and lying down in the grass while looking in the sky kind of thing. The bonds were stronger and made new and deeper connections of acquaintances that are now friends.

Soundtrack of the Summer (these were the songs overplayed in MTV or MYX)
1.) The Way You Look at Me - Christian Bautista
2.) This Love - Maroon 5
3.) Hold Me Now from 50 First Dates soundtrack (still a great album after 5 years)
4.) I Miss You - Blink 182
5.) I Believe in this Thing Called Love - The Darkness (what happened to them?)
6.) The Reason - Hoobastank

25 Random Things

I got this one from FaceBook, which is right now the emperor of social networking. A couple of people already tagged me but that time I just couldn't gather enough facts that I thought interesting and besides I don't want all of FaceBook to read what I write. Too much attention. So after four weeks I decided that I'll do it already but as a post in this blog for privacy and to increase the amount of entries (I'm on a goal to make it to at least 100 posts before the year ends). Heck even Celine Lopez did an article of this shameless tool of plugging how cool you can be. Here goes.

1.) My mouth is both a strength and a weakness. Double edged sword.

2.) I'm half-extrovert and half-introvert. Most people only think I'm the former but the latter gets me back to my senses.

3.) Books are to me, as Carrie Bradshaw are to shoes. Been lovin' reading since I was three and been hoarding a lot of books for the past 5 years already. Half are yet to be read.

4.) Instant pancit canton is even more satisfying when shared with people, paired with bread on the side, toasted or not.

5.) It's either I'm on the go, driven, super motivated and goal oriented or chilling, apathetic and lazy ass... never in the middle.

6.) I can't park or drive a car in reverse. Really. Need a lot of practice.

7.) I get a kick of watching movies that are quirky, full of idiosyncrasies and unusual. Put in a some poignant scenes, heartfelt conversations and a killer soundtrack, I'll love it!

8.) Spontaneity and carefree behavior are fashionable traits.

9.) I'm a die hard Federer fan, so all you Rafa fans can go to hell!

10.) I'm the Prince of Cheap. Call me sale whore, bargain hunter and cheapy cheap lollipop. I'm proud of it! Must get the best value for those hard earned moolah.

11.) You can get everything in Downtown Cebu. Not really but almost everything cheaper.

12.) I am very conscious about breaking a sweat and sweat stains since I am a sweaty person. I managed to project this behavior so I tend to observe people who have sweat stains in their armpits. I love High Endurance deodorant and a piece of advice, avoid gray shirts except when exercising.

13.) Chuck Bass and Seth Cohen are fashion icons.

14.) Skins is the most humorous and edgy teen TV dramedy of all time. Highly recommended.

15.) When I look at a person's face the first thing I noticed is their nose.

16.) I also envy people with magnificent lower extremities from the thighs down to the toes. So I observe these body parts on people a lot. Roger Federer's legs and feet are an epitome of athleticism and finesse. However if a lady has big thighs or calves then that's a big subtraction. Heck even my thighs are too big for my frame. 

17.) Even though I'm talkative it's hard for me to express my feelings vocally. I do on rare occasions. So if I get mushy, it's comin' straight from the heart.

18.) My taste in music is so diverse from pop, emo, alternative, rock and classics. If the lyrics catch me then its good. I'm picky when it comes to R n' B and I think House shouldn't be considered music at all - it does not define talent but what it means is a good mixer and an even greater studio with state of the art equipment.

19.) Walking and people watching relaxes me.

20.) The 90's was an awesome decade. I'm so attached to those years of growing up and making mistakes. What can I say I love the 90's, baby!

21.) My fashion principle is wear what you want, comfort, statement, a tinge of emo and affordable, not necessarily in that order of importance. 

22.) I wanted to be a great writer or an editor of a magazine like Entertainment Weekly. However I don't think I'm good enough and my poems are just awkward and rubbish.

23.) Sunsets interest me more than sunrises.

24.) I think birthdays are overrated. Christmas and the Holidays are more gratifying and life-affirming.

25.) I'm a complex person that wishes he was a little bit more simpler.

The One Where I Loathe My Totally Worth It Purchases

Yes. I am a sale whore... But the best sale whore in town!

This is an adaptation due to my meager ration every week and I've developed this skill over the last 6 years or so. Since I couldn't ask my parents (though I can), its just a personal choice of mine to be able to control impulsive buying sprees and increase my EQ. I get a very modest allowance. It allows me to enjoy good food and buy me a good time but it does not satiate my appetite for shopping books (bookashopaholic, if there is such term) and my penchant to buy clothes at times. I only ask my parents if I can't fight the urge anymore or I couldn't sleep just thinking of that item. It has to be a very intense fixation. Trust me it rarely happens.

Here are some items I am proud of acquiring from the past two months. So totally worth it.

1.) Rusty Lopez Black Loafers (I own a pair of leather shoes now that's not Doc Martens, it's about time!)
Orig Price: 1800 php
Sale Price: 799 php

2.) Crash by J.G. Ballard
Orig Price: 375 php
Sale Price: 50 php

3.) Dispatches from the Edge by Anderson Cooper
Orig Price: 599 php
Sale Price: 50 php

4.) Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx (its still in covered in plastic wrap, in honor of the late Heath Ledger)
Orig Price: 335 php
Sale Price: 50 php

5.) Super Villains Vintage T-shirt in Orange
Orig Price: 169.75 php
Sale Price: 84.50 php

6.) Super Heroes Vintage T-shirt in Green
Orig Price: 169.75
Sale Price: 84.50

7.) Utz by Bruce Chatwin
Orig Price: 425 php
Sale Price: 50 php

8.) Griffin and Sabine (I wanted this for a really long time)
Orig Price: 575 php
Sale Price: 120 php

9.) 2 Decent Denim Jeans from Ukay-Ukay which I cut into denim shorts for summer
Orig Price: 180 php each
Sale Price: 20 php each

5 Things to Do for an Urban Jungle Weekend.

Strictly speaking, this refers only to places in Cebu City exclusively or the metro. These are what I actually do if I'm not contented just by TV or surfing during the weekend or if I don't have out of town trips.

1.) Lunch and a movie
A perfect way to bond with old friends whom you haven't seen for a while. An awesome lunch with a great conversation is always a perfect way to catch up. The Terraces at Ayala offers a wide array of choices from high end to affordable but always satisfying. Terrific choices outside the malls include Oh Georg, Tara's Cafe and a personal favorite El Loco, a Mexican diner. Sometimes watching two movies in one day at the cinemas can be really exhilarating!

2.) Read in A Coffee Shop
A time also to think and reflect or write in your journal, but with a good book over cappuccino, Saturday afternoons are never a bore. So dig through your unread books and head to Bo's or KopiRoti, for cheap yet richly flavored brews and open the pages. For book bargains, BookSale at SM will never disappoint. They get stocks of used books mostly in good condition twice a week, fairly priced and current as well. I love digging through piles of old magazine issues and browsing through coffetable books about art and entertainment.

3.) Get a massage
This is great after reading over coffee. I love to do this at around before dinner time. Thai massages are very cheap and relaxing. Prices range from 100 - 200 pesos. A foot massage is also very soothing after a day of walking and shopping.

4.) DVD marathon
If you don't want to go out and aren't satisfied with the TV line up, then head to Traveler's downtown for more choices of pirated DVDs from movies, TV series, Korean dramas they have it there. It's a hassle since its all the way downtown near Carbon market. You have to watch your pockets and back because the area is a little bit unsafe. For more accessible place to get your fix of these DVDs head to Fuente or Raintree Mall. But I enjoy going to Traveler's since I buy at least five, I like the fact that there are more choices and at the same time exploring the downtown area. Don't forget the junk food, diet soda and ice cream to keep you company until the wee hours of the morning.

5.) Indulge
For those who aren't budget conscious, try the Edge Coaster or Extreme Skywalk at Club Ultima,  dinner buffet at Marco Polo or clubbing at Vudu or Formo. Of course, there is shopping!

Citations of Last Summer

I can't help but reminiscing about last summer. Atypical (it rained last summer and the temperature was lower compared to the year before) and short (4 weeks!?!)  but it left with lots of mementos, new discoveries and stronger bonds with old and new friends.

Most Memorable: My Mohawk hairstyle whom my friends said I couldn't pull off and my mother detested but I went for it anyways and looked really cool!

Best Place Visited: Siquijor, for its mythical charm, untouched nature and wonderful scenery. I finally crossed out another less visited place that I have been longing to visit for years.

Best Place for Dining Out, outside Cebu: Dumaguete City, hands down for cheap but with quality that equals the restos and cafes here in Cebu, even Manila.

Best New Discovery, Gastronomic Delight: Silvanas from Sans Rival Cafe in Dumaguete City. Mouth watering, soft and sweet , you already have an excuse to drive 3 hours down south and cross an ocean for 30 minutes. Totally worth the journey and back!

Most Worth It Purchase: Tie between Cherry Chapstick, for taking care of my lips and Hawaiian Tropic Sunblock for the making me tanned and didn't even give me the experience of pain.

Best New Discovery, Rediscovered: Metro Cafe, down in the basement of Ayala. An ideal place for reading. Quiet and isolated little nook. Affordable and good service

Best Place for Bargains:
BookSale at SM for selling Entertainment Weekly back issues for 27 pesos each. I bought a lot and these magazines made time less idle

Best Movies Watched: Volver and Eastern Promises

Best Book Read: Glamorama by Bret Easton Ellis

Favorite Past Time: Watching American Idol while munching on Honey Banana Crackers with Iced Coffee

Guilty Pleasure: Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition

Songs That Remind Me of the Summer:

1.) Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis - washing dishes after dinner while belting out together with the radio in Siquijor

2.) No Air by Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown - after the exhausting yet fulfilling hike in Casaroro Falls

3.) Ang Sarap Dito by Project 8 - due to watching Big Brother, but the song is really catchy with a summer-esque feel.

4.) I'm Yours by Jason Mraz - the video makes me want to have a getaway to some secluded waterfall or pristine beach of my own. Just thinking about makes you want to wish its summer all the time, yes?

5.) Always Be My Baby by David Cook - this will always remind me of Summer 2008 and getting addicted to American Idol. I just realized this at around July that this song indeed reminds of that summer.

Best Pal of the Summer: My laptop for being my TV/DVD player and as my window to cyberspace

I'll post one like these before internship starts.

Suddenly, Last Summer

Yey! Summer is here already! After retaking my practical exam which I unjustly failed and my written exam, a mildly deserved one for effin' Pediatrics, I am starting to work on my clearance so that makes it more or less official.

This year it's different because up until early Friday evening I didn't have plans of getting away and making fun use of the first weekend of this short yet monumental summer. Come on. People are even labelling this as the last summer ever! Last year I was off to Siquijor the day after the last finals in a freshly cut Mohawk and then to Dumaguete City for a long weekend after a week. Two years before I dashed to Camotes for a weekend chill then had a wild, bond-forming, drinking spree in Kawasan Falls.

I was reminiscing on the way home while standing on an old 80's looking bus with Linkin Park blasting on the background from our weekend unwind trip in Tabuelan a sleepy town located in the northwest part of Cebu. The hospitality was great. Quoting Vic "Humanity is innately good".  Anyways last summer was awesome. Short yet significant. It didn't have much time for solace and reflection as the previous summer but overall I was able to make use of the four weeks to reassess my priorities and revisit those moments where I caved in to my temperament and those times were I was classy.

Ma was staying in Manila for a month and we were practically left under the guidance of Pa, who is more open, liberated and he was also enjoying the freedom we boys had.

Yeah, summer is here and I will take this all in before the pressure of internship takes its toll on me.

Anxiety and Bittersweet Endings

Tonight, despite the fact that I still have to study for tomorrow's finals on Family and Community Medicine, I have to take a break to get myself together because just 20 minutes ago my anxiety level went up! This is not attributed to coffee, I'm already moderately resistant to the adrenergic effects of caffeine, but a mixture of apprehension for internship, anticipation for summer and nervousness of the possibility that I might get an extension on Internal Medicine. I am biting my fingernails like hell and I am a bit scared that I might have failed the OSCE. At least for Pediatrics I don't have any extensions but I have to comply with the repeat written exam tomorrow and repeat practical exam on Monday. Fuck. Oh well at least and hoping that after this I'll be cleared already.

I am also amazed at the same time that Junior Year will hopefully be over tomorrow meaning I don't have to repeat it. I don't want to be cocky and start acting that I have passed due to the disastrous finals of OB-Gyne and Surgery last week. But this week it's very very good! Praying fervently that I had made up the wasted points already. Sigh. It has come full circle already. I am excited and was really looking forward to summer weeks ago but the thought that it might be the last hurrah before the storm just sends me into jitters that affect the core out of me. I am happy but at the same time I can't explain this sensation that's more or less like butterflies in the stomach plus slight paresthesias at times. I should be happy. Kind of like Heath Ledger winning an Oscar, triumphant yet he's no longer with us. Left a legacy but bittersweet victory for which he wasn't able to accept it in person and bask in its glory with his peers.

The T-shirts that we've ordered which was supposed to come out a week ago has been delayed already and I was about to get it today, before dinner after so much tardiness but damn it still hasn't pushed through it would be at lunch time after tomorrow and I am so stressed already because I hate apologizing to people! Ugh! I am really pining that I will finally get it tomorrow afternoon as promised. No other time.

Breathe in, Breathe out, One step at a time...

That's why I need yoga so badly but shit, the yoga center in BTC closed. So my efforts of getting sweaty on a humid March afternoon, braving the heavy Banilad-Talamban traffic, inhaling dirty polluted semi-urban air and dodging speeding vehicles was useless. Oh my oh my!

Desperately need to get away this weekend to obtain peace of mind. Yeah and I desperately fancy a fag. Oh crap!