The 10th Anniversary Retrospective: 2007

.:The 10th Anniversary Retrospective: 2007:.

Not pictured: blatant product placement in a soap opera.

2007. Wow. What a year, really. This was the year when I ended up being a teacher in Reedley International School, so needless to say, it was quite a wateshed of a year for me, because it was when I got back into the thick of teaching and the academe.

Yeah, I still had my pipe dreams of being a PhD or something. So sue me. Heh.

This was the year when love was in full bloom and I thought it would never end! Oh, how giddy I must have felt when this happened, and I thought that everything was just perfect. Then I wrote this, and all I could think was wow, she really is my once in a lifetime! 

And I guess she always will be. And it felt so right, because she couldn't help but say how much she loved me, too!

But I guess it's easy to say you love someone so much when you actually can't compare it just yet to the point where you truly, honestly did, eh? But that's a story for another day. Maybe in 2012, or when I do a retrospective in 2022.

The year was pretty amazing because this was when blog events started happening. We had a Blog Parteeh in 2007, and from there onwards, we never looked back, to the point that events left and right saturate the blogosphere nowadays. And I mean saturate: it brought out the best and the worst of the blogosphere, but whaddaheck, it was a natural progression of things, really. After meeting Sam Oh in 2006 and getting inspired to become a magician, I ended up hanging out with The Story Circle, who really became a huge part of my life for several years hence.

2007 was also the point where I was super crazy about Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, so "Sana Maulit Muli" was my favorite TV show of all time. It was pretty funny, and My Beloved just went along with it, no matter how much she rolled her eyes over the fact that I'm just super crazy over the Kimerald tandem. Yes, that's the actual tandem, and not just Kim Chiu. I was seriously a fan of the loveteam. It was also the time when I was a majorly active user in the Comic Book Resources forums, which I moved to when the Ragnarok craze killed the activity in the Otaku Boards.

Because of the fact that I hosted TOEI in 2006, though, I started becoming a presence in conventions because I tried to do my magic out there. Having said that, this was the point I met and became friends with Alodia, Ashley, Crissey, and Tricia. I would end up friends with Domz in the year after that. I don't know about you, but that was a pretty interesting time, because slowly, I was transitioning into really being a regular fixture in cons as a host.

You know what my favorite entry was, though? I think it's the one where I did the math. I still grin from ear to ear when I look at that entry. It felt even smarter than all those crazy Philosophy papers I wrote for Mr. Calasanz and everyone else.

That being said, huge things happened this year, such as being a speaker during iBlog 3. It was my first time speaking during iBlog, and it was definitely given rave reviews by everyone who watched, as it set the tone for my magic career for quite a while. That being said, not only was it a success, My Beloved was actually there.

On top of all that, I resigned from WAVE in 2007. Yeah. It was a huge leap for me to make, as I was in radio for a good three years. Still, moving to teach in Reedley was one of the best things I ever did in my life, and to this day, I still cherish that schoolyear I had with my kids from Reedley. The mere fact I'm still friends with several of my colleagues and students from Reedley, as opposed to me mostly remaining friends only with Camilo in Ateneo should demonstrate the contrast, really.

This was an awesome year for me. I was so happy. I was so in love. And I was so fearless, as I came to grow as a performer by leaps and bounds. 2008 was simply a continuation of all the blessings I've managed to accrue in 2007. It also showed with how I blogged, as the academic bug clearly bit me again, and I had ridiculously detailed posts without being so transcript heavy. It was a subtle evolution of my writing style that I think stands to this very day.

Rebuilding...

.:Bonding Time:.

Met up with Cher last Tuesday because it was a good time to catch up on each other. She’s been handling a lot on her plate lately, especially with work, but it was good to see her in high spirits despite the crunch of employment.

Anyways, this is really only the second time we’ve met, as the first time I ran into her was during Fashion Art, but we’ve been talking a lot online in recent weeks, and I’ve found her a very fascinating person, to say the least. So when she told me while we were in Starbucks that she was going to go to a party for her friend’s birthday at 77 Bar and she asked me to go with her, it was a no-brainer for me to agree.

So there we were, and I made the cardinal mistake of introducing myself as a magician in a frigging birthday party. That obviously meant I was going to have to perform that night, but hey, it’s an excuse to do Lady and the Rope on Cher, so who am I to complain? LOL.

Anyways, her friends were mostly entertained by the performance, so I’m pleased as punch with how that turned out. Sarah’s brother, Ace, was apparently there that night, so he saw me at work as well, and I found it cool to discover that apparently, 77 Bar is where Bagetsafonik would usually hang out when not doing a gig.

All in all, it was a great chance to get to know a great person better, and I’d be remiss to not thank her for the wonderful company.

And, oh, yeah, lemme share this one again: me performing Lady And The Rope at Fashion Art some time back, with Cher.

.:Once A Bosconian, Always A Bosconian:.

Last Wednesday, I was talking to Noel Gascon, and I realized that Don Bosco has had such a profound impact on the both of us, we were talking almost as if we had a shared history.

It was really cool, as we talked about our electronics experiences, how our stand on religion was formed by a very liberal but still unmistakably Catholic point of view. Being a Bosconian meant we would question our faith not because we were afraid to find ourselves sorely mistaken, but because we were thoroughly convinced that putting our beliefs through the wringer could only make us more sure-footed on where we stand.

We talked about masses, and the unique songs we heard while we were Bosconians, and how different the environment was for us when we ended up in Ateneo after Don Bosco, and how being a Bosconian meant that the way we looked at the world was shaped in a way that could only be tempered by an Ateneo education, but never supplanted, much less superceded.

It was surreal talking about this stuff with him, because not only was he not in my batch in Don Bosco, he actually came from Don Bosco Makati, and I, from Don Bosco Mandaluyong. The way our personal philosophies in life seem to overlap as we talked about social justice, “walang basagan ng trip”, and apathy versus activism just floored me. It felt like I was talking to myself a few years from now, and it really showed me how powerful an impact our Bosconian upbringing had on the both of us. It may have been different schools geographically, but the values inculcated in us were unmistakably Bosconian.

It was really eye-opening to hear him talk about how Amici started during his time, and how they used the student body as a cheap form of R and D. It was equally surprising to him when he discovered the existence of Don Bosco Sta. Mesa, a rarity in that it’s a Don Bosco school exclusively for girls. I remember one of the nuns there first getting me interested in magic way back in Grade 3.

It was also a point of interest to Noel to find out that Don Bosco is actually the patron saint for magicians. Given how I’ve used magic to entertain and to educate at times, I know all too well the power a performer has when he steps up onstage and tries to wow an audience. That kind of power cannot be taken for granted, and as a fairly accomplished standup comedian, Noel also realized this pretty early on. It’s such a rarity to find a Bosconian-Atenean, and it’s really amazing to know someone like Noel, who is definitely one of the deepest thinkers I have ever encountered.

Once a Bosconian, always a Bosconian.

A Time For Celebration...

.:Ateneo De Manila, March 28:.

I'm exceptionally happy for my friends and former students who graduated from college and high school respectively, this past weekend. As a former teacher who still does what he can to teach, even just as a Philo tutor friend to some of my good friends from ADMU, I beam in pride as I see my friends and former students go forth to the next chapter of their lives with a pocketful of sunshine and a bagful of hope.

Last Friday, I was at the Ateneo graduation for SOH and SOSS. It was awesome seeing my friends graduate after all the stress they've had over their grades and all that jazz. From my friends in Philo to Ozy and to the ladies from I.D., and to even some of my random friends like Fideles, it was quite a moment, to say the least. I even ran into Alodia's parents, and my college batchmate, Darn, graduated from MA Comm that day as well.

The ceremonies were surprisingly short, though, considering about a thousand students or close to that number graduated last Friday, and I think the whole thing was finished before 7PM. If not that, well before 8PM.

I'm sure my friends will blaze their own trails with next to no effort. They're all awesome people, and I'm very honored to have been their friends. I wouldn't have it any other way. So to Darn, Crissey, Domz, Cat, Ozy, Arvin, Edjie, Fideles, and Karla, congratulations to all of you, and be the best you can be!

.:Reedley International School, March 29:.

I got a ticket from my former student Nicole, so I ended up attending the graduation ceremonies for Reedley International School. It was a very interesting experience, being there with former colleagues and former students alike, all things considered.

As an aside, this day was also Abby's birthday, and I even had a magic show shortly after the graduation ceremonies, for that matter. It was, without a doubt, a very action-packed day.

It was a pretty emotional event, what with the batch valedictorian really pouring her heart out in her valedictory address. It was such a raw, real moment, and I was proud of Joey Florento, even though I only ever subbed for her class when I was teaching. The only 3rd year class I taught last year was Yale, after all. That also explains why most of the people I approached were my kids from Yale.

Let me take a moment to beam about Dennis Kim, by the way. He was the Gerry Roxas leadership awardee, and I know that he has a lot going for him once he's in college. I truly believe he's got what it takes to continue being a great leader and a true paragon for his contemporaries.

Nonetheless, when I got there, a colleague suggested that I stand-in for Nicole's parents, since she had no one to accompany her onstage when she would receive her medals. I know the feeling of going up onstage alone at a time where someone should be up there with you, so I naturally agreed it was a good idea.

Anyways, when it was Nicole's turn, I sorta drew some minor controversy, but all in all, I think people recognized that it was just a simple gesture on my part, and there wasn't anything to read into beyond that. Nicole was one of my students, and if anyone else among my students asked me the same favor, I'd have done that for them as well, no questions asked.

So yeah, the RIS graduation, without a doubt, was very special to me. Yale was my favorite 3rd year class (Since they were my ONLY 3rd year class...), after all.

Congratulations, guys! You know I'm always here for you if you need anything from me that doesn't involve money or mathematics. =P

And who knows? Maybe my days as a teacher aren't quite over yet...

I Don't Often Do This, But...

GO ATENEO!!!

A Pleasant Surprise...

.:A Lovely Shock:.

My Beloved dropped by my house last Friday, taking me completely by surprise, to say the least. After a week's worth of woes, headaches and various other mishaps, the sheer surprise I felt over being dropped in on when I least expected it simply made everything all better.

Just having the opportunity to spend time with her and hug her really turned my week around. I was tired, cranky, and ultimately, going through a lot of stress. Thanks to my Beloved, though, I managed to make it through the week despite all the stuff flying in my face, getting my spirits down somewhat.

Having said that, I'm really just in a haze the past few days. I feel so lethargic, and I can hardly really write anything, despite the fact that last week's pair of shows were extremely interesting, to say the least, and they definitely helped fund me this semester, as I had to pay quite a hefty tuition since I not only am doing my Thesis, but I'm also keen on taking Fr. Bulatao for Audit...

On The Edge Of My Seat...

.:Did I Pass? Did I Fail?:.

Dammit, I don't know!

I felt like I went through the wringer during my orals with Dr. Angeles, but the relief came that I got an A- from my last quiz. Even then, everything's up in the air.

I pray I got a B. I really do, because I can't afford to fail her class and take the subject again.

.:The Radio Bug. It Burns!:.

With each passing day, the allure of going back to radio just dominates me...

.:Finally, Something Happens!:.

Apparently, the Sumilao farmers and SMC are brokering a deal. Even though the specifics of this deal are still unknown at the moment, I have to say that it's about time a deal is being brokered.

Say what you want about the Catholic church, but I think it's good that Cardinal Rosales took it upon himself to really help make this possible. The farmers have suffered for far too long already. It's time they got what they deserved.

In the middle of the ZTE brouhaha, it's good the Sumilao farmers don't get neglected to the wayside.

Random Thoughts Since The Weekend...

.:You Know What Certain Much-Hated Politicians Really Need Right Now?:.

I think they need to look up a good PR Agency in the Philippines. Seriously. Wherever they're getting those spin doctors from, they really should stop already, because they're not convincing anyone with how they spin every single issue against them as a "destabilization plot".

Guys, truth is not destabilization. We want to know the truth, dagnabit! The more you spin, the more we see you're hiding something... yeesh.

.:This Weekend Was Heavy. Really Heavy:.

I had three shows this past weekend, and one of them even had quite a mishap, since something happened to the client which kept her from going to her own party. It was scary, to be honest.

There was also the whole party thing at Sacha's house, so you just know it was a hellaciously busy weekend...

.:Appointment:.

Finally got to speak with Dr. Angeles, and it appears that while she's biased against me, my last test results were low mainly because of mistakes I made on a fundamental level.

To be honest, she's right on that count. If I can't make a distinction between Schleiermacher's hermeneutics and Dilthey's, what business do I have explaining either at all?

It's a tough pill to swallow, but knowing this, I resolve to really work hard for my finals with her so that I can make it through. I just hope she realizes that I really am not a slacker, and I really want to teach Philosophy. It's what I've worked hard for, and I'm not going to give up that easily.

I was a bit put off when she mentioned that she feels "kindness" isn't a virtue imperative for teachers, though. As a guy who teaches high school kids, I can't help but disagree... but maybe that only applies to high school kids. I'm not really sure...

The Teacher's Journey (Thus Far)... Part II of III

This is the second of a three-part account of my journey in life as a teacher. It's something I really wanted to write for ages, and now's the best time for me to do it. Hopefully, you guys will like it.

.:Seikokusha:.

Thinking about one of my favorite anime of all time, GTO, I realize that indeed, as the Directress of Forest Academy put it, teachers are "Seikokusha". Teaching is indeed a calling, and when I got to third year college, under Mr. Bulaong, I began to feel the itch to teach yet again, albeit the turn was that I was keen on teaching Philosophy, despite being a Comm Arts student. I braced myself for the challenge, and went ahead and fought for it.

My college teachers were very instrumental to how I ended up this way... Mr. Bulaong, for giving me all the opportunities I needed to excel; Dr. Barbaza for challenging me whenever I was getting smug about my own capabilities; Mr. Calasanz, for being the first person to really look at me and see the potential for teaching Philosophy. It was a calling, and I answered. I can't even begin to think how amazing all of this was to me. I was going to live the dream.

Few professions can be deemed nobler than teaching. I remember the story of a teacher whose student became the president of the Philippines. When they met after he won the elections, he looks at his teacher with wide eyes of recognition, and, casting aside any conventions that he was the highest official of the land, eagerly shakes his old teacher's hand, and says: Hi, sir!

Teachers unlock potential, and open the student's sense of wonder. That is one thing magicians and mentalists have in common with them, which is why I find myself doing those as well.

.:Teaching Assistant: 2004-2005:.

Immediately after graduation, I started on my Masters in Philosophy. I was going to be a teaching assistant for Philosophy, and I was under Dr. Ibana for a year. It had its highs and lows, and at the time, I had a lot of failings that resulted in my contract not being renewed the following year. This naturally set me back a year and a half in my M.A.

Nonetheless, as a teaching assistant for Dr. Ibana's ethics class, I really learned a lot, and enjoyed the company of the students, some of whom became my friends. After my tenure as T.A. ended, I eventually started dating one of my former students, and I guess losing my job as a T.A. doomed our relationship from the start...

You see, outside of teaching, I found my life directionless. I was a loose cannon, and I seemed to have no focus in anything I did. Life outside of the academe was really adverse to my improvement as a person, and it had adverse effects on my relationships in general at the time. I can never apologize to her enough that I really screwed up the fairy tale for her. Divine got a raw deal out of that, too, sadly.

Looking back at this, and the many other things that happened, I understand now why that relationship wasn't meant to be. Looking at how I am now with my Beloved, I really feel that being a teacher in Reedley International School has contributed a lot to how I've changed for the better.

Maybe I can never make up for my shortcomings back then, and I know all of these are not excuse enough for having been a horrible boyfriend and having had a horrible temper, but I now recognize where all of it fits into the bigger picture. I'm thankful for the erstwhile relationship, because despite everything, I certainly learned a lot. I recognize that it's all behind us now, and though we may never see each other or speak to each other again, I still think it's fair enough to thank her at this point for showing me that I was far from perfect, and I have a long way to go before I could ever hope to make up for those shortcomings.

Having said that, I'd like to think my Beloved has seen how I have endeavored to never repeat those mistakes. It's been over a year already, and we're still going strong. I would've never seen the need for a change had I never realized what was wrong in the first place.

To my Beloved, I hope you never forget how I had to pick myself up from rock bottom, and how I still continue to change for the better, and how I hope to prove myself worthy in your eyes. I love you so much, and I know that this teaching vocation has been one of the main things that has given me the focus and direction I need in life to not screw up the way I have in the past.

What I didn't realize was that an even greater challenge was upon me, and it wasn't going to be long before I would have to face it...

I Am Actually Hopeful...

.:There's Hope For Television Yet!:.

Well, despite the grating, annoying feud between ABS-CBN and GMA-7 at this point, the appeal of the new shows GMA is coming up with in the next few months is actually pretty high to me.

Sure, I might find myself disappointed in the end, but I honestly think that the new soap opera starring Robin Padilla looks promising, and he's always a guilty pleasure to watch, what with his unapologetically smarmy personality coupled with his inherent nice-guy goofiness, despite being formerly known as the "Bad Boy" of Philippine Movies.

While that's entertaining, I really am more stoked about the prospect of a Darna + Captain Barbell crossover. I know it's not going to be the case that I'd see Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez together, but crossovers never fail to make me mark out, seriously.

.:But Then, The Clunkers...:.

I'm seriously disappointed in Marimar right now. While watching it, I feel my intelligence being insulted by the way they try to use the most contrived twists I've ever seen.

You see, Angelika, Katrina Halili's character, was inadvertently shot while trying to save Marimar from a drive-by shooter. She suffers a coma and nearly dies, but recovers soon enough. The problem is, this was all apparently her plan, making me completely throw my suspension of disbelief down the drain. How could someone plan to be shot non-fatally in a drive-by?!? It just defies logic and common sense, and truly makes an opportunity for character development a complete waste.

Meh. I've about had it with this already... I'm watching Marimar with a lot of trepidation from now on.

.:Catching Up:.

Thursday's class with Dr. Kaelin was very interesting. We had a lot of amusing discussions, and the repeated use of the "f" word in our class by one of my classmates was cause for amusement.

Equally amusing though was when I stepped out to ask some noisy passers-by to keep quiet, because seeing me in a uniform made them think I was definitely a teacher in Ateneo as well. Amusing, to say the least.

.:It's The Best Time To Buy From E-Bay...:.

... well, particularly if you're like me.

You see, I still play Magic: The Gathering, and I do have my eyes set on some Power 9 for myself. Needless to say, I certainly would like to get my hands on a few moxen and the like, and even if the dollar price of the cards haven't risen at all, these cards get cheaper by the day.

When I bought my Black Lotus, it was around 50 to a dollar or so. This was a bit over a year ago. Now, the peso is fast approaching 40 pesos, and the trend is the Peso is still getting stronger and stronger. This means that my Black Lotus, purchased at $600, is practically 6,000 pesos cheaper now, if I bought it today, which is pretty staggering when you think about it.

And there are lots of ways to transact for e-bayers now. There are many ways to Send Money to the Philippines Online, and this is one of the best ways to do it, for sure.

Amazing!

.:Mr. Bulaong's Back In Town For A Bit...:.

Jon Bulaong's back in town until Sunday, and it was great hearing from him again. He delivered a lecture about the relevance of Immanuel Kant in today's post-modern world, and his ideas were incredibly thought-provoking.

While I didn't get to spend much time speaking to him, it was definitely amazing, to say the least, that after two years or so of studying in Germany, he still hasn't changed at all, and that's a good thing.

Jon's one of the people I always looked up to, so I'm extremely happy for him, knowing he's doing very well in Germany.

Being A Teacher Rocks!

.:w00t!!!:.

50% tuition discount for the win!

I R Dedz

.:I... I... Failed?!?:.

I froze up during an oral exam?

What is this world coming to?!?

Finals Week For Me And My Students...

For me, and for my students.

Expect miniscule posting from me today, if at all...

Too Sick...

... I was actually falling asleep during Metaphysics class!

It was so embarrassing. I know Mr. Calasanz understands what I'm going through, but I felt so guilty.

And thanks to that, well, I guess you can tell that I missed my double quiz in Epistemology this morning.

When it rains, it really pours.

Awesome!

.:Rarely Do We Get These Moments...:.

My Beloved took the time out to sit in on my Philosophy class last night.

I can't tell you enough how happy I was that she finally got to hear Mr. Calasanz firsthand, and find out why I've been raving about his class for the longest time...

Nothing quite like being with my Beloved to start my week off right...

.:Post Secret...:.

... is now a weekly activity for my classes. At least, that's what they said they wanted to happen...

The Dress Code Debacle

.:Taken From Arbet...:.

Brilliant.

.:This Is Interesting...:.

Dr. Cuyegkeng, one of the administrators of Ateneo de Manila University, was reportedly given a standing derision from a few students who were actively voicing their displeasure over the university's current disposition to set specific guidelines for the existing dress code in the student's handbook, much to the dismay of some of the students whose current fashion choices will inevitably be affected.

While there are no definite items that have been taken up for discussion, several assumptions can almost be safely made, including the idea that chances are, the likes of Havaianas, flip-flops, spaghetti straps, and so forth will meet the axe once such a dress code is implemented.

Will I personally be affected by this? No. I always dress in office attire.

Do I care that they are "impinging on my personal freedom", as was posited by Bobby Benedicto? Quite frankly, I don't think that is the case. How we dress is not an essential "right" that is inextricable from our ability to do well academically. If anything, I'm inclined to think that it's merely a privilege, and not at all a right.

If that be the case, therefore, then yes, given the flagrant violations of what is already a vague dress code as is, I think that the only hindrance to enforcing the dress code at the moment is the lack of specific guidelines so that one can have a rubric of sorts to determine who and who is not in violation of the dress code.

At the same time, if the students have to meet a dress code, then the faculty must also be a step ahead, and thus, all members of the faculty have to follow a dress code all the same.

Now, of course, that might mean certain trademarks, like Fr. Ferriols' slippers, and the gothic attire worn by some teachers at times would have to be out of vogue, but what's good for the goose ought to be good for the gander, right?

At least, that's what I think. What do you think?

Random Thoughts... The Start Of A Barrage...

.:I Wish My Beloved Could Sit In...:.

It seems to me that every single Monday that we have class with Mr. Calasanz for advanced metaphysics, we end up talking about love, since it's one of the easiest ideas to use to illustrate certain points Heidegger and Balthazar bring up regarding metaphysics.

With each passing week, it allows me to get a better handle on why I love the way I do, and it emphasizes that at the end of it all, no matter how hard you try to rationalize love, it will always come down to the plain and simple fact that love involves a blind leap. A commitment, after all, is a promise made to the unknown. And when we love, while there are things that attract us to the one we love, to say that these qualities are what makes us love her are put into question because it would mean we stop loving once these qualities are apart from the substance.

Yet how can we love the substance? What is there in the substance, apart from its accidents, that makes it lovable?

Precisely the fact that we love is that which makes the substance lovable. Precisely the fact that our love ought to be a love freely given to a substance that has never even done a thing to merit its existence in the first place. If all of us exist by the goodness of One, then should we not pay this goodness forward by learning to love as a gift freely given?

We can never truly understand what love is all about. All we can do is make an attempt to say what it means to us to the best of our abilities, and almost immediately, proceed to unsay it and simply act on it.

.:I Start Teaching Tomorrow! Gah...:.

Well, Reedley finally hired me, and while I could use a higher salary than what they're offering, it's still a job, and the hours are definitely better than my last one. \My obvious worry at this point though is that I can't be too sure how good it'd turn out to be if my work ends up delaying my finishing my Masters by yet another semester. That definitely wouldn't bode too well for me, to be honest.

In any case, given all the stuff I had to go through for the past couple of weeks, this is a welcome reprieve. I'm certainly glad that things are looking up for me after a couple of weeks of gloom and doom, and things are slowly beginning to stabilize again. Who knows, maybe I can *finally* blog the way I normally do again, albeit I must admit I haven't blogged this often since 2004, so I guess I should already count my blessings as is.

.:Fashion Consultant:.

My Beloved joined me as I went shopping for pants and shoes in Greenhills two Fridays ago, as she took it upon herself to be my fashion consultant. Knowing full well that I'm not the most patient man in the world when it comes to shopping for clothes, I relied on her to give me her second opinion whether or not this pair of pants or this pair of shoes would be the one I'd be getting for myself.

It was a really great time, to say the least. I know we had very little time to spend with each other, but we made the most out of it as we shared our time with each other, just really enjoying each other's company. We even had lunch at this place called Won Ton, and I loved the food there. It's arguably one of the best Chinese restaurants I've run into as of late, although in my opinion, for the price, Wai Ying is still going to be one of the toughest ones to top, when it comes down to it.

I'm glad that my Beloved and I are learning to love each other better and better with each passing day. It's not the easiest thing to do, especially since neither of us are the easiest people you can ever get along with. Despite that, I can't say enough how much I really am thankful that after all this time, my Beloved and I are truly learning to make this relationship work out.

Whether it be the whole open relationship deal, or the fact that the both of us are simply just the undisputed king and queen or mood swings, or whatever other idiosyncracy we may possess, small moments like last Friday where she became my very own fashion consultant are always going to be special days in my heart. I can't help but feel that through these small steps we take, Rowena and I are building something wonderful together.

Ideas...

.:A Dissertation Idea For The Future…:.

Mr. Calasanz put it succinctly. If I wrote a thesis about something I’m *too* passionate about, then I may never get to finish it. It would be best to instead write a thesis on a topic I can do competently, then save my idea of magic and Philosophy for a dissertation.

Besides, at this point, I still don’t know what approach to take such a writing task, so saving it for a dissertation would give me the latitude to think what concepts and thinkers work best with forming a Philosophy of magic.

If not that, then it’s back to the old standby of Philosophy and something from Communications, preferably film, but I’m sure that in contrast to the former, the latter has been done more than a few times already.

.:What?!?:.

Apparently, GMA-7 is now showing “Meteor Garden”.

Huh? What the heck? This is the third time this series is being shown around, so it boggles the mind why they bothered getting the show from ABS-CBN to begin with.

Why? B-buh?!?

Random Stuff That Happened Over The Week...

.:Sicker Than A Dog...:.

Sore throat, cough, colds. Is there anything I don't have at this point? I ended up taking an extra day off of work just so I can recover a bit, because everything is really erratic for me at this point. Ever since the unmentionable event happened, and the security threats it quietly presents to me, I guess I have to admit that I'm really confused over what I have to do next.

Things are weighing down on me but I'm more prepared to deal with them without throwing my hands up in the air to surrender in a huff. I feel way more confident and sure-footed that however bad as it may get, I can make it through with strength and a little bit of help from my friends.

The least I can do at this point once I've fully recovered is to help a certain friend out who feels to be frayed on the edges. It would certainly behoove me to be of help since it definitely takes my mind off of my own worries.

Needless to say, I was bedridden for most of yesterday. I've only really recovered now, and I'm still not at a full 100%.

.:Entire Week...:.

I was absent the entire week! I just couldn't get out of bed to go to work... it was *that* bad!

Sigh... there go my leaves...

And no, I couldn't bear to cut my classes, so being absent for WAVE did little to alleviate my health situation...

.:Rain Gets To Me...:.

Weather last Thursday was wacky as Hades. It was raining so hard half the time, the other half, it was just scorching hot.

I spent most of my day hanging out at the Fine Arts Lounge, and on my way home supposedly, I ran into Meggy, whom I performed Liquid Metal for a few weeks ago. We just bonded andf chatted, really, so it was all good.

I ran into Edjie (Edjie is easier to say for me than Alodia, for some reason.) a couple of times throughout the day though, and we had an interesting short chat over SMS that night. Nothing particularly earth-shattering, really.

It's A Downer...

.:Nice E-Bayer…:.

So I ended up not completing a transaction on E-Bay with someone despite the fact that I won his Mox Jet.

Despite that, we still exchanged positive feedback because he was so cordial in keeping in touch with me as we tried to thresh out the sale of the item that I couldn’t help but appreciate the effort he exerted in replying very promptly to me every step of the way.

Unfortunately for the both of us, PayPal didn’t protect him because the confirmed address is in the Philippines… I hate that.

But hey, I suddenly found myself saving money and now, I can buy a Mox Sapphire instead, which turns out to be more important to my deck than a Jet…

.:Check Him Out…:.

Jonas has a nice archive of his comics. I think you should try and check it out. You just might like it.

.:Still A Loner...:.

As the celebration here goes on, I feel that I'm still a loner to this day...

I just can't bring myself to enjoy this party here at IAS... I just can't.

I'm such a square.

Or maybe I was just meant to be alone.

.:Meeting Sacha Again…:.

Ranulf and I fetched Sacha at the airport this morning.

I have to say that while I don’t have much to say about our meeting each other again, I am very happy that one of my best friends is back in town, and looking very happy at this point.

I’m happy for her, and I hope that the next two weeks will prove to be rejuvenating for her.

We missed her. All of us here do.

.:“Prudence Is The Better Path To Take”:.

Quite frankly, this changes the rules of the game significantly. Getting the job was supposed to completely supplant the need for WAVE, and would allow me the breathing room I needed as I went back to the academe.

Now, the English department pretty much rejected my application on the strength of feedback from other departments. Or should I say, another department?

It is no secret that I haven’t really been seeing eye to eye with the Philosophy department in quite a while, even if I do happen to be taking my Masters under them. One of the biggest points of contention is that when I was a teaching assistant for Ethics class, I met someone who ended up being my girlfriend after she graduated.

I think it is imperative for me to make the emphasis here: after she graduated.

In spite of that, that whole issue became one of the main reasons I was not hired as a teaching assistant the following schoolyear.

It was devastating to me because it threw my whole M.A. plans awry. I couldn’t afford an M.A. on my own, so I had to stop my Masters indefinitely, and only now did I find a prime opportunity to do so.

The English department was a logical fit for me. I went ahead with the whole application process, and after the teaching demonstration and even the panel interview, the prognosis was good.

It was almost a foregone conclusion that they were hiring me. I started building my plans around that fact, and then the ill-fated letter of rejection showed up in my inbox.

The moment the letter started with the word “while”, my heart sank.

I knew I wasn’t going to be teaching this semester, and most likely even, this schoolyear.

You know, it would be easy to accept if I felt I wasn’t qualified enough. It would be understandable if I didn’t do well during my teaching demonstration, or during the subsequent panel interview.

But it wasn’t any of those reasons that kept me from getting hired. What the letter of rejection told me was that “further deliberation and consultation with colleagues in other Departments of the Loyola Schools strongly suggest that prudence is the better path to take”.

Hogwash, I say to you.

The obvious reason why they are rejecting my application is the laughable concern that I am at risk of dating my students. That has never happened, since I never dated my ex until at least a month after graduation. For them to use an unfair “precedent” that should have no bearing on my current status is a clear-cut bias that is only masked by the word “prudence”.

There is nothing “prudent” about shafting someone who has demonstrated a willingness and an aptitude to do his job. There is nothing “prudent” about some other department completely turning around one’s fortune by making so negative a recommendation that it is enough to override a strong demonstration and interview.

Didn’t the Philosophy department already do enough damage to my hopes in the academe by repeatedly rejecting my applications to teach for them? Why do they have to stand in the way of my applications for other departments?

Marcelle is fuming simply because he got shafted by a department who had no stake in this application. It’s almost as if they are actively seeking to screw him over and keep him from ever getting the kind of experience he would need in teaching.

At this point, even going back to finishing my Masters in Ateneo is in jeopardy. Do I really want to be in a place where I am clearly not wanted? I may just completely abandon this whole pipe dream of teaching altogether thanks to the fact that my own home department can do nothing more than continue to hold me back.

I have it up to about here with this already. I simply can’t get a fair shake.

.:Don’t You Think It’s Time?:.

Don’t you think it’s time we let bygones be bygones?
That we just live again and ignore not what we had once?
Don’t you think it’s time you and I just moved on?
Beyond the hurtful words, and the metaphorical guns?

Don’t you think it’s time Plato had his opportunity
To prove to us that there’s still life after you and me
Don’t you think it’s time to see that truthfully,
We simply didn’t do right by each other, honestly

Don’t you think it’s time we let cooler heads prevail?
Let us not have our time have been spent in vain
Don’t you think it’s time we stop the pain?
Forgive ourselves… perhaps lovers we were doomed to fail