|
2009
|
Jan. 1st, 2009 @ 11:14 pm
|
|---|
I feel really great about 2009. 2008 was mediocre at best, really, though as with all years, it did have its moments. I get the vibe 2009 will be the reward for getting by the past year with my chin up. And because I'm in a pumped/energetic/excited mood in this, the first day of the new year, I wrote down my first ever list of resolutions. I trimmed it down so the list is realistic and focused but I think each item has its own absurdity to merit being called a "resolution."
SOMETHING SURPRISING
Make a Facebook account
I have so far resisted the lure of social networking for no reason I can articulate well enough. It's one of those "just because" things I have held onto that I have decided to throw away just to be... umm... spontaneous. If I were to auto-psychoanalyze (I don't think there's such a word either), this one's probably related to me leaving later in the year. There's this little part of me that wants to make sure I have a way to keep up to speed with what's happening here while I'm gone, and there's also another part of me that doesn't want to explain to the rest of the grad school class why I'm the only one who doesn't have an "online presence." Haha. Don't really know what I'll do with a Facebook, and I probably won't be spending much time on it, but I guess I'll just have my sister make one for me and see where it goes.
SOMETHING NEW
Speak conversational Spanish
This one I had decided on before. It just makes perfect sense. I read Spanish almost everyday, anyway, as I check up on news about Real Madrid in Spanish newspapers' websites before I translate them on Babelfish. And, there's a good chance I'll study in Spain - actually a 100% chance if I don't get into any US school. Rather than spend precious euros on survival Spanish lessons there, I can just enroll in UP's extramural courses for a fraction of the price. And that's exactly what I'll be doing starting this month. Then I can practice with my work colleagues from Costa Rica, which will be fun.
SOMETHING IMPOSSIBLE
Join a triathlon
Well, I did say impossible. Haha. This will surely not happen anytime soon, but my goal is to accomplish this before the year ends. I can see it already, me in my skimpy running shorts crossing the finish line triumphantly, with the Baywatch theme song in the background. Hehehe. According to Jubs, I should start with the running part, which I already "do" before I tackle the swimming and cycling pieces. And "do" is purposely in quotation marks. The swimming I can do in the clubhouse near our apartment, and the cycling, well, we'll get to that later. Right now, I don't even own a bike. Haha. We'll see how far into the year we get before I realize it is in fact, impossible. |
This one is my favorite Intel internal marketing video, and I remember thinking it would make a great ad - certainly better than the "multiply" ads for Core 2 Duo, which just leave me scratching my head. This one captures the impact technology makes nicely and personally makes me proud to work for Intel. When doubts about the pointlessness of endless Excel-crunching, online presentations, droning-on meetings and, well, idle web-surfing assault the mind, it's great to know you're part of an organization that adds something tangible and significant to humanity and makes so many great things possible*. Heartwarming. :)
*I realize competitors like AMD can basically say the same thing, but they just don't do it quite as well. :p |
Taking a 30-minute break from writing application essays by writing something else...
1. I am the Internet's biggest fan, but it does have its own negative side effects. If you have trouble concentrating like I do, it can very severely impact your productivity. I have taken to writing in a coffee shop without Internet access just to get something done.
2. I blame my rushed and utterly low-quality Kellogg and Sloan essay submissions on the Blue Eagles' championship run. That's alright, I guess.
3. I take issue with people who boldly proclaim they are "the world's greatest procrastinator." Really now? You're better than me? Seriously though, procrastination sucks. People should stop wearing it like some badge of honor.
4. What on earth are people thinking when they make avatars of themselves (such as in YM or what have you), and choose skin tones that are obviously lighter than what they have in real life. Never fails to make me laugh. WTF?
5. Washington Sycip rules. He's right, we have more than enough lawyers in government, and in the country for that matter, when what we need are more people who contribute ideas, people who build and create things... scientists, engineers... Society gets what it rewards though, and scientists just don't make enough in these parts.
6. The Philippines has found a niche and is teaching the world how to manage migration and supply other countries with well-trained, highly-industrious workers. That is a good thing, and we should conduct our economic strategy with this in mind rather than keep heaping praises on OFWs without taking them seriously. (Credit to the writers of FLIP for this enlightenment)
7. Gonzalo Higuain is my new hero. Bench Raul. He's an old fogey. It's Pipita's time!
8. I think I have identified my greatest fear: that I am one day found out to be a person of much fluff and no substance. I blame my elementary teachers for buying into the bullshit that I passed off for academic papers thus making me think I can get away with it forever.
9. Applying to highly-selective grad schools that require you to put everything admirable about your life in essay form is a fantastic exercise in self-examination. You may not get in (actually there's about an 85% chance you wouldn't) but surely you'll learn a thing or two about yourself in the process.
10. I'm ecstatic that Barack Obama won and that we may well see Bush's warmongering near its end, but lately I have come to think John McCain wouldn't have been so bad actually. Nevertheless, change has come to America. Are we next?
|
|
It's Monday, and I'm just coming out of one of the best weekends in a while. The definite highlight was getting into the Eraserheads Reunion concert, which, though cut short, was an absoutely surreal experience. 15 songs. Not bad at all. |
| » Super Sunday |
|---|
|
I didn't get to watch the Pacman fight live as I was at, of all places, a children's party. I did later learn, and see in the late-night replay, that Pacquiao gave David Diaz, now former WBC champion in the 135-lb division, the beatdown of his life. One of Pacquiao's best performances, which puts him firmly in the conversation of best pound-for-pound prizefighter alive.
This was only the beginning of a superb sporting Sunday, though, as later in the day, dear old Spain, clinched Euro 2008 with a 1-0 win over Germany. I don't mean to downplay the Pacman's achievement (I'm a huge fan, after all), but while Manny's victory was largely just another feather on his cap, Spain's triumph was nothing short of historic.
Jul. 1st, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
|
| » Lozada's statements on the ZTE-NBN scandal |
|---|
Why do we always get thieves for government officials? And worse still, why do we get thieves in high places, who appoint their fellow thieving brethren to prime positions? Seriously. Why? Why? WHY?
I went to schools that produced more than a handful of the country's leaders, and while there were inevitably some bad apples, I couldn't imagine any of my classmates growing up to be something like Benjamin Abalos or Mike Arroyo. Where do these fucking thieves come from and more importantly, why are they leading this country?
There's so many things I would like to say (such as UP YOURS MIKEY ARROYO*, you poor excuse of a human being), but really, some of the things that go on in this country just leave me speechless.
These are the times I envy those who don't watch the news.
*The words coming out of this guy's mouth just gets more ridiculous by the day. In an ambush interview, he admonished those linking his father to this scandal by saying something along the lines of "What is all the fuss about? The deal was canceled!" He cannot be serious, right? But he is. And he's a fucking Congressman, for fuck's sake.
Feb. 8th, 2008 @ 12:42 am
|
| » The Good, the Bad and the Funny |
|---|
Some interesting articles I read today:
First, the heartwarming: Inquirer named Pampanga governor Ed Panlilio as its Filipino of the Year for 2007. Might I say, deservedly so. One would think that his narrow, from-out-of-nowhere victory in last year's election is the type of story that cannot possibly happen anymore in today's Philippine political landscape. But it did happen. The people of Pampanga and Panilio's ardent supporters made it happen, against all odds. Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall. And the best part is that the story didn't end there. The changes that are happening in Pampanga under Panlilio's governorship is a slap and a half in the face of corruption, and is truly a modern-day miracle. The next time someone complains that there is no more hope left for this country, tell him or her about Gov. Ed's story.
And now for the blood-curdling: Apparently, not all foreign aid are created equal. This article from Newsbreak describes an increasingly common occurrence in which a foreign country offers aid in the form of a loan with a very low interest rate, but with kilometric strings attached. First, they would require that the consultants and the bidders for the project for which the "donor funds" are to be used come exclusively from their country, and that most materials be purchased from them as well. Nothing too evil about that, I suppose, but then comes the sucker punch: the lowest bid would be so much higher than the estimate that their consultants provided (and take note we are also paying good money for these consultants). Our ever-dependable local officials would then be bribed to shut their traps and just carry on with the overpriced project, leaving us with a new bridge or a new highway that, though funded by a low-interest loan from our foreign friends, costs so much more than it should, that we would have been better off just borrowing locally. Doesn't that just make you want to slap someone?
And finally, for the lighter side of the news. This lucky guy was awarded over $6M in damages after he slipped on pigeon droppings in a New York subway. And it would have been over $7M, except they ruled that it was 20% his fault. True story!
Ed Panlilio Article
Foreign "Aid" Article
Lucky Guy Article
Jan. 13th, 2008 @ 10:47 pm
|
| » Food & Places |
|---|
|
A couple of lists I put together while pondering on what being deported to grad school would be like: Food I would be daydreaming of during each class Sisig ng Aysee Still the crunchiest, tastiest sisig in town. Major bad breath afterwards, but who's smelling anyway? Pearl MiLk Tea w/ Extra Pearl ng Zagu Pwede na rin yung Natural Mango kung di available ang Pearl Milk Tea. That Tilapia w/ coconut dish from Classic Cuisine The chef who created this masterpiece will forever have a place in my heart Chicken Tail ng Grill Queen A scrumptious row of asses on a stick. Well worth the heart attack! Seafood Rissotto ng Italianni's Yeheees, burgis! Actually kahit anong rissotto, at kahit saan din. Rodic's Tapsilog I may not be exaggerating when I say this comprised at least 10% of ALL meals I had in college. CHARLIE CHAN PASTA NG YELLOW CAB I like this better than their pizza. Meron kayang Yellow Cab sa ibang bansa? WHITE PIZZA NG SBARRO This, I’m sure meron dun, pero malamang mas mahal. MONSTER MEATBALL SPAGHETTI NG SHAKEY's It’s gotta be Shakey’s. Steamed Fish Fillet with Garlic ng Causeway For some reason it's not in the menu anymore, but it's always available when we ask for it. Chickenjoy Iniiyakan ko to nung bata ako. Wala pa ring kaparis. Mamimiss kita Chickenjoy! Sizzling Bulalo ng Una-Sikat Pares Again, eat at your heart's risk. There seems to be a theme developing... Hakao at Shrimp Cheongfan ng Le Ching Tea House Pangalan pa lang nung lugar, panalo na. THE VARIOUS SUSHI CONCOCTIONS IN OMAKASE / SUMO SAM My pick for favorite food discovery of 2007 (or was it 2006?) DEEP-FRIED SOFT-SHELL CRAB NG HEAT On second thought, this is my favorite food discovery of 2007. SMB Pale Pilsen Ang beer ni Manny Pacquiao, Kris Aquino, Erik Morales at Jet Li. Kare-kare & PORK WITH MUSHROOM kela Roma Yes, sipsip. Places in the Philippines I must visit before AUGUST Bicol Done! Just this month, but I'll surely go back for more "wakeboarding" and the elusive butanding Ilocos January'08. Always wanted to visit Vigan for its reputed old world charm. And based on Roma's pics, Pagudpud seems absolutely gorgeous. Davao March'08. My Dad is planning this for Holy Week, so no issues with lack of money or VLs. :) It will be my first time in Mindanao. Palawan May'08. I'd probably max out the travel & leisure budget I set for myself for my personal fiscal year (which ends April) by the Ilocos trip, so I'm hoping to go May and make the spending fall under next year's budget. (I know, walang sense. Haha.) Batanes July'08. I've been seeing quite a few pics of Batanes's hidden treasures in papers lately. Seems like a last frontier kind of adventure. Hope I can squeeze it in. I seriously doubt this will all happen as planned. But if I don't manage to visit all of them, I can always postpone to when I come back (as if I'd be gone that long). Perhaps, I'd be able to coerce a classmate or two to visit the Philippines. Our Home in Asia. And besides, kelangan matanggap muna ako sa school. Ha!
Nov. 26th, 2007 @ 09:34 am
|
| » Tha Malu Fernandez debacle |
|---|
Malu Fernandez, the Manila Standard Today and People Asia columnist who was in the news for her bigoted, condescending comments on OFWs recently turned in her resignation letter to the two publications she wrote for. Although she will probably not go hungry for quitting her day job, I think that's only an appropriate ending to this exercise in cluelessness and conceit.
I won't republish the article here, because well, that's plagiarism, and because I think the issue should be allowed to die a natural death, the sooner, the better.
When I did read it though, it reminded me of the unique experience of flying on a "balikbayan" flight. Before my flight back to Manila from Narita, you could already see that the gate where I was waiting was unlike all the other gates in Narita's huge airport. It was... uhm... alive. You will never see another group of people, who in all probability were all strangers before they took their seats in the waiting area, happier to be going home. Stories of home, stories of their adoptive countries, stories about their jobs and their families filled the air, and many would have probably exchanged cell phone numbers even before anyone has boarded the plane.
Speaking of boarding, another curious thing about balikbayan flights is that about 15 minutes before boarding time, people are already lining up, luggage and children in tow. I bet this annoys the hell out of the ground crew, because 1) it's not boarding time yet and 2) when it is time to board, there's a certain order they follow in letting people into the plane. It's not like lining up early would get you a better seat. I think the airline personnel are experienced in handling this situation though, and in the end, every one got in in time.
Inside the plane it was more of the same. I was at first annoyed that someone took the aisle seat I had pre-selected online, but it was an old man who had bladder problems and had to go to the toilet repeatedly, so I just took the seat right beside him. On my other side sat the man's wife. By the end of that short flight, I felt like I knew all the couple's children and their medical histories.
When the plane touched down, the passengers erupted into applause. It was cute, but by that time, I had been traveling for close to a day so I just silently smiled in my seat. In 30 minutes, I'd be home.
Malu Fernandez probably saw similar scenes, but simply had a different reaction. I am pretty sure she's not alone, and she did say in her initial reply to hate mail, that her friends found it funny. A colleague of mine won't fly this certain airline because he says the attendants there are prejudiced against their own countrymen, and it may be for the same reasons Fernandez had. It just so happens that in Fernandez's case, she told the world about it, and her stupid editor let it slip.
Sep. 2nd, 2007 @ 02:01 pm
|
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1){kind=small}
romabuls's journal