Absolutely!

MY YEAR-ENDER.

Woot. I can't believe it's already the last day of this year! I can still remember writing my very first blog post ever (it was a year-ender post, too). And the rest was history!

Okay, I decided to wrap up the events in a chronological order. That way it will be easier to discuss things.

"So, Ian, what happened to you for the last 365 days?"

My 2006 ended so well that when the new year came, I wasn't so okay. Why? Secret. Hahaha.. I had issues with my friends. Some of them. Really. And that went on until the second month where I finally wrote my very first serious blog entry of 2007 (disregarding the January 1st post).

"..but seriously, that transitory period was the worst for me this year.."
I actually said this, and to think, the year was just starting but then I already thought I had the worst [of 2007]. Wow.

It went on for the rest of February.. my goodness. Six more posts 'til I had enough of that crap. Affected? Sort of.
Hahah! I can say this month has been one of my most emotional. I dunno. Because it's the season of hearts? =p Speaking of Valentine's Day, this was the 1st time we (the boys) decided to suprise our girl friends with flowers and a harana. (Was that during our lab class in Plant Physiology?) Well, they liked it.

Ang dami pa palang nangyari nung Feb! Here's more:
- Arlene and her bestfriend [yata] had some problems. Hahah! I'm not sure.. pls confirm
- Karen finally had an internet at home (is this right?!?)
- Chinese New Year! Blythe brought food
- We were addicted to Makel's siomai. Yum yum. Except for Ann, who needed Loperamide
- Lala introduced Happy Slip
- Rosa and I had been regularly attending Mass at the PGH Chapel. The most memorable was during Ash Wednesday. What a day that was!
- Moises, I only saw you once this year. Can you believe that? Come on, surprise me.

March kicked off with our Ecology Trip in UPLB. Rosa and Sith slept over at my place afterwards. Andro's sister won the Bb. Pilipinas title that night, too.
It was Ann's birthday this month! Yehey! 19. But her debut last year was still so clear in my mind. The cover for the US version of the last Harry Potter book was also shown to the public. And of course, what a great way to end our Year 3 Second Sem! Bio's "Hell-Sem". Microbiology, Plant Physiology, Animal Physiology, and Ecology. Beat that! We gathered altogether in a vacant room near DB and had a quick photo shoot. "We rocked this sem!"

I had a summer class this year despite the fact that there shouldn't be any. Field Biology baby.. Woohoo! I spent the whole lot of April planning for our Palawan trip. It was Sickle's birthday, too! He's my laptop, by the way.

I spent the first week of May in Palawan! Oh yeah. I loved it. The whole field biology experience was one of my most memorable event this year. Simply amazing. My group won 1 Best Paper Award (go Black Pearl!) and I was awarded the Best Leader (plus three Kalabasa Awards) Hahaha! When I got back from the trip, I got in touch with my long-lost-friend, Wright (again, at last!). He just made this year more memorable.

June. This month's theme I think was 'celebration'.
- Thesis Madness began!
- Fai's birthday!
- I started watching Heroes. I was addicted to it. Up to now. Woot!
- Wombat Grade 3 was out!
- UP's One Century One Clean University Initiative was launched. I designed the poster for the event.

July. One of my most memorable month of 2007, too.
We (Sith and I) decided to shift to another thesis topic, and ended up doing a bioinformatics-related research. Though the initial idea of the topic (the Bird-flu virus) was just temporary, it still sounded good.
- July 21. Probably one of my most nerve-wracking day of 2007: Half-Blood Prince release date, Grad. Pic photo shoot, Reinzi's birthday, and many more.

Okay.. another emo month.. August.

Undergrad. Sem, Histology and the trip to Mt. Banahaw were the major concerns last September. To get away from emotional stress, I kept myself busy designing posters for myself and friends' Undergrad. Seminar. I really liked what I was doing. I was obsessed with it! Damn. Histology was another story. Histology Week kicked in. We had lots and lots of quizzes and exams every other day of the week.. Talk about toxic. The Banahaw Trip was also amazing.

That same scenes went on the next month, especially when the thesis started moving its way inside the picture. Hell week? Hell yeah. Hell month. Hell forever!
October highlight: Molecular Cell Biology Movie Presentation. Friends Forever! Woohoo.. Hahahahah.. This presentation, Arls and Renk's Birthday Bash, and the arrival of my thesis data plus the fact that I had my 100th post this month made October one of my most memorable this year.

November. Just two words: Pangasinan. Music.

December. I decided to change my blog title to "Ian's Alphabet'. I also began writing about tech-y stuff. How To's, etc. This month I can say, is a runner-up for the Most Emo Month of 2007. Hahaha.. Damn take a look at my December boys -- I mean, posts. December posts.
From hardcore emo, happiness comes hitting you right back on the face.
Why is December happy?
- I'm glad I have forced myself into dancing publicly (*ahem*). Dance Dance Revolution! Awesome. It's a fun way to detoxify (especially after thesis).
- Rosa's birthday!
- Thesis is beginning to take shape
- Vacation! The best December vacation yet.
- I had lots of money. Woot!
- Med App season has began, too.
- And who'd forget this year's Oblation Run? Definitely not me.
- Christmas Party at Arlene's place! Damaging. Hahah!

---

I guess that's it. Yes, all these happened in just 365 days.


I have been at my best and worst this year.

Cheers for a new year!
An absolutely NEW year.

For all of us.

This Year's Awards 2007

This Year's Most Played Song in iTunes
Just Go - Jesse McCartney
Feelings Show - Colbie Caillat
Umbrella - Rihanna

This Year's Best Song
Not Myself - John Mayer
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Thnks Fr Th Mmrs - Fall Out Boy

This Year's Most Watched Music Video in iTunes
Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne
Beautiful Liar - Beyonce ft. Shakira
Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5

This Year's Most Played Album in iTunes
Stripped: Raw and Real - Various Artists
Coco - Colbie Caillat
Right Where You Want Me - Jesse McCartney

This Year's Best Movie
The Prestige
Transformers
Stardust

This Year's Best Animated Movie
Ratatouille
Shrek 3
Meet the Robinsons

This Year's Best TV Series
Grey's Anatomy
The Amazing Race
Heroes

This Year's Best PC Game
Audition Dance Battle
Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
The Sims 2

This Year's Most Favorite Fastfood
Chef d'Angelo
Karate Kid
Burger King

This Year's Most Favorite Subject
Field Biology
Undergraduate Seminar
Microbiology

This Year's Most Favorite Month
May
December
July

*note: all are based on personal point of view

2008 Calendar

I was browsing my entire photo gallery (as a guide for my year-end blog entry) when I suddenly thought of choosing photos that made each month special. Thus I ended up picking 12.

I call it Ian's 2007 Calendar. Sounds silly since this should come out early this year. So I changed it to 2008.
Quite amusing, since each month I'll have a glimpse of what happened the year before.

Cover Fl(a)ws

I am so amazed with iTunes' CoverFlow™ wherein the album covers of the albums that are stored in your music library is arranged/stacked horizontally as if on a typical music rack. Browsing is so easy too. That's why when I started collecting music videos for my iTunes library, I had problems with the covers. Obviously, not all songs have promotional title designs/covers. The most probable thing to do was instead put the cover of the album where that particular song (music video) belonged. However, it wasn't so nice. So I decided to make them myself.

Here are nine covers, three of which are custom-made (not really official, I just made them myself). Can you find the odd-ones-out?

*all photos are copyright of the respective owners

Untitled 2

I think there is something wrong with my heart.

Seriously. It's been acting weird lately.
It's not normal.


I wouldn't be surprised if I die today.

Happy ChristmiRNAs!

• go Sith kaya mo yan! Sorry talaga. Bawi ako next time.

• the electric fan in my room burst into flames last night. Shocking? Super. Malapit pa nman sa romero. Buti hindi nadamay mga damit ko at hindi na lumaki ang apoy. Fortunately, ate was also inside the room and she unplugged it immediately. Whew. That was close. Too close.

• in less than an hour, I'll be on my way to a Christmas holiday in Pangasinan. Weeee. I'm excited. Just waiting for my tita to come pick us up,
  

• I haven't had a decent sleep for four days now. Thus, I have noticeable eye bags. Tsk. I have to wear my glasses to at least hide them.

• Now playing: Waiting On The World To Change by John Mayer. Haahaha. This is a soooo random post.

• I can't wait to see Will Smith's "I Am Legend" -- but not on the big screen! Hahah! I managed to download a movie-screen copy online. Really nice quality.

• I also grabbed a copy of a movie entitled 'Once'. Musically-inclined daw yung theme ng movie, so I guess parang Music and Lyrics. It was set yata in Dublin, featuring an Irish guy and a Russian woman. Can't wait to see it, too.

• Just saw the movie Stardust the other day. BRILLIANT. I wanna watch it again.

• I'm rooting for the new animated film 'Alvin and the Chipmunks' where Jesse McCartney voices one of the main characters. Theodore, I think. Not sure.

• Do you watch the show at QTV entitled "Ang Pinaka"? Wala lang. I watch. The topics are pretty interesting, really.

• grabe ang tagal ni tita. Wala na akong masabi.

• Now playing: Tattoo by Jordin Sparks. Sabi ng mga reviews parang Irreplaceable daw ni Beyonce. Hear it for yourself na lang.

• Okay. Tita called. They're on their way na daw.

• I still feel rich. =p Have no time to shop. After Christmas na lang siguro. Sayang I have no someone to ask out.
  

• Grabe ang damot ni Raizen. Sooooper. Nag-aaway talaga kami dahil sa kadamutan niya. Masama naman talaga yun, di ba?

• I'm beginning to feel dizzy.

• It's 3:48 on my clock. Sa mga thesismates ko na hanggang ngayon ay gising pa, mabuhay kayo! Yehey. Cheer cheer cheer!!! Go Sith! Go Karen!

• Okay.

• Time to say goodbye. I'll be offline for around four days.

• Enjoy the break.

• Happy Holidays y'all!
  

Osomreh acitsim asor

Okay.
Let's play a game.
Spot the hidden Mickey on the following photos.

Sana nag-enjoy ka.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Friends and Benefits

.. of having this thesis done (on time)!

I have been sitting here in my room for three days now just to keep this thesis alive.
Actually, this wasn't how I imagined my thesis experience to be. Not like this.

But anyway, looking at the bright side of things is definitely a better feeling.
So here I am, looking. Hahaha.

Thesis.
It brought me closer to some of my friends. Yeah, to some.
It gave me one big reason to use the Internet (at home) almost all the time.
It gave me an idea on who among the ones I know is the most frequent Y!M user.
It made me think harder.
It forced me to clean my room once in a while (I can't work/think properly on a messy room).
It made me upgrade to Yahoo! Messenger 9.0 Beta.
It gave me more time to listen to the songs on my iTunes library (and rate them, too).
It made me laugh and cry at [almost] the same time.
It taught me how to create PDF files from MS Word documents.
It made me install 7 big-time PC games (to kill boredom):
- Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
- Level-Up Games' FreeStyle Online Basketball
- The Sims 2
- Audition Dance Battle Southeast Asia
- Sim City 4 Deluxe
- Battle Realms
- Audition Dance Battle Philippines
It gave me adrenaline rush in the middle of the night.
It kept reminding me what day it is (in case of deadlines and meetings).
It taught me how to eat five times a day (hahahah.. detox!).
It forced me to take vitamins.

And since I spend hours and hours on the Internet, it gave me the the chance to download movies! Yep.
I am thesis-ing and movie-downloading at the same time.

In three days, I managed to download 9 movies already! All DVD-rip Quality except for one.
- December Boys
- Stardust
- Superbad
- The Condemned
- The Simpsons Movie
- I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
- Blades of Glory
- American Pie presents: Beta House
- Beowulf (Bad quality. Obviously recorded from a movie house. I immediately deleted after download)

Woohoo. These flicks are right in time for our almost-5-day Christmas vacation in the province. I'll bring House M.D. (Seasons 1 and 2), too, just in case the movies aren't enough.


See? All these happened/are happening because of the thesis.
This may not be how I imagined my thesis experience to be,
but I'm slowly learning to live with it.

It's called neuroplasticity, dude.

photo taken from here

The Christmas Mogul

I have never been this freakin' filthy rich during this time of the year!

*evil laugh*

To all the people who gave me money as their Christmas presents, THANK YOU!
I really appreciate it.


If only I saved the extra money I had after my (2nd sem) enrolment, I could have more than 10 thousand bucks this Christmas. Hahaha. Too bad I spent the lot for food [Midtown food + fiesta-level food], clothes [polo shirts are more expensive], and non-stop gaming [TimeZone -- i hate/love you].

So what do I do with my stash now.. hmm..

A new pair of shoes won't hurt. Sneakers or Rubber shoes? Wow.
A new bag, maybe.
New clothes (?) hmm.. how about.. flashy undies!?! Hahahah. "Cheap but showy." Niiiice.
A new pair of jeans.. I already got one but.. I want another one. =p
Another throw pillow kaya.. mura lang naman.
A dance pad! Yeah boy. I'll dance my way to perfection! Lol.

Oh.
I almost forgot -- my phone bill. It's waaaaaay beyond my monthly consumable amount.
Saaad. I'll be adding around 1,500 pesos for the excess. Tsk.
And..
I must save a little for future Med Apps. I have 3 more schools on the list: UE, St. Luke's, and Ateneo.


WOOT!

photo from Spilling Coffee

I feel pain.

It's not you. It's me.
- what the heck?

You'll be you, I'll be me.
- sure.


But no matter what I do, it still feels the same.

I feel pain.


I love you thesis! [amp]

photo from photobucket

Just when I thought I already hit rock bottom..

Thank you for making me forget (at least even for a while).

Photo (C) Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.

Positive Thinking

this day was unbelievable.

it didn't occur to me that i have to end this day with something emotional, too (like how it started)


i'm still this sad, depressed person.
but at least now the thesis-ing is improving.

later this afternoon, while i was surfing the net for anything that would temporarily make me forget what i was doing (thesis-ing), i stumbled into several sad-emo-depressing blog entries of people.
naghahanap ng kasama/karamay, kumbaga. haaay.

one of the posts quoted:
"i’ve never been in this situation where i deeply care for someone very much yet i also don’t care for them at all."

what the heck. may ganyan ba talaga.
maybe he really cared for that someone all this time. maybe there was just something that made him think that he didn't really care at all. it could be pain. hatred. bitterness. i dunno. maybe something bad.
but the truth is, he still cared.
hindi lang siguro niya matanggap na ganun. na kahit anong gawin niya e he will always care for that person.

napaisip tuloy ako.

and the idea that came to me, hindi na umalis.


what if..
what if the very, only thing that makes us connected, the thing that i personally considered a burden for some time now, this thing that i have always wanted to get done and get over with,
what if..
what if this thing pala has some other purpose?

what if it was meant to actually save what we're slowly losing..


or maybe not. i don't know!
baka naman sobrang optimistic lang pala ako.
'wag naman sana.

"The higher you reach, the harder you fall."


but either way, i still have to make a choice. help me.

photo grabbed from here.

Full

why does Life keep on hitting me on the face?

just the other day i think i just lost a friend. i think i did/said something that made our friendship end. if it wasn't for that then maybe i could have had a more exciting, jollier, better christmas party with my friends.
and now -- people, they kept saying things that reminded me of that friend. i don't know if it's just coincidence or whatever.
well this is so unbelievable. i want to forget what happened, okay?
it was my fault. i feel terrible. i was stupid.
i was a fool.
and now
i want to forget.

so give me a break.
(but who's to blame. no one knows, ian. no one.)


crap. how could i be so stupid. and careless. and pathetic. and so emotional (?!?)

so this is what a fool, pathetic, emo person gets.

OUCH.


and now the thesis. crap talaga. holy crap.
sa sobrang kakaisip ko sa mga bagay-bagay, nakalimutan ko nang mag-thesis.
December 15 - i am supposed to spend this day for thesis alone. but what happened? i played Audition SEA, Audition PH, and Battle Realms the whole time.


i can't do this anymore.



PS.
To anne, happy birthday the other day.
To dude, happy birthday yesterday.
To my dad, happy birthday today.
To my mom, happy birthday tomorrow.
and
to you, i don't know what to say. it was my fault. i am sorry. i don't expect you to ever talk to me again but **sigh** ... :'(

photo courtesy of emo-corner

My Oblation

This post is a tribute to the UP Oblation

The Oblation is a sculpture made by Guillermo E. Tolentino in the 1930s for the University of the Philippines. It was originally made from concrete but was later on cast in Bronze. Since then, this work of art has been featured in many kinds of medium, either in prints, TV, movies, etc. to represent UP.

The sculpture has not only been an iconic symbol of the university but of the entire country as well. Its form, represented by a man with arms wide-stretched and face facing the sky, symbolizes selfless offering of one's self to his country. The statue was built as requested by former UP President Rafael Palma based on the second verse of Jose Rizal's Mi Ultimo Adios. That particular passage tells about giving up one's self for the country. In other words, patriotism and sacrifice. Thus, the Oblation generally represents an individual, a Filipino for that matter, that is without any hesitation, ready to give up everything for his/her country.

With that basis for the creation of the Oblation, one might ask, "How then does this statue reflect the every aspect of its meaning?" Looking on it as a whole, the Oblation is a statue of a nude male with wide-stretched arms and its face looking up. This indicates sacrifice or self-offering. Seeing it naked might suggest one's intentions to be of no doubts or hesitations -- willingness to sacrifice. As to how the Oblation stands, one can observe balance -- symmetry between the left and the right halves. From this, you can feel the statue's strength. It's outright posture with the properly toned muscles indicate courage, strength, and pride. The statue measures 3.5 meters in height, which according to history symbolizes the 350 years of Spanish rule in the Philippines.

In detail, the face facing up with his eyes closed and parted lips could indicate that the man is saying something. Perhaps murmuring a prayer while looking up at the sky. Also, at the base of the statue are katakataka implanted on the rocks where the Oblation stands. This plant, "wonder plant" when translated in English, is amazing in that it could grow from its leaves. When the plant's leaf is thrown away, new buds still grow. This plant symbolizes the undying faith and patriotism of an individual to its country. The leaves 'link' the Oblation to the base filled with rocks (which could symbolize the Philippine soil).

I think that there is an Oblation on every one of us. It reflects every Filipino, especially our heroes who have selflessly offered themselves for the country and their patriotism that continuously and forever grows anywhere in the Philippines.

How the Oblation affects me personally is much more of self-interpretation.

How I see this statue -- how it appeals to me, has greatly changed since I entered UP. Of course at first I was excited and proud to see that I actually study on the school where the Oblation (a famous iconic symbol and now a national icon) is located. But after all the years that I have stayed in UP, the metaphors have changed. For me, the Oblation is like my guardian, my guide to how I should be as an individual in my community.
As a Filipino.
Someone who always stands tall and proud but still keeps his feet on the ground.
Someone that always looks smart, witty, and indestructible, but never forgets to look up and pray to the One above.

There is an Oblation on every one of us.

And this is how I see mine.

My Oblation.



Sources:
"U.P. Oblation"
"Tribute to the U.P. Oblation"
"The Oblation"

Photo courtesy of June Ruivivar, 2004.

Oops!

10:00 AM. A crowd of students was beginning to form at the UP Manila CAS' Rizal Hall.
11:45 AM. The RH lobby was almost full. People, students and faculties, were all waiting for "the run" to start. Yep. Today was UP Manila's Oblation Run. And today, finally, I got to see this event (just before I graduate! hahah). Four years in UP and I haven't experienced watching even a single Oblation Run. Not until today!

So now I have seen it with my eyes. Okay. That's it. =p

The Oblation Run is an annual event in commemoration of The Oblation. Members of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity run around the campus naked (a concept known as streaking). This is also done to protest their sentiments about a current political or economic situation. [Source]

Thanks to You, for covering me up sa pagkuha ng video.
I really can't do it myself. =p

Push the Button

help me get through this.

i am supposed to be moving forward.

but i can't. right now.

there's barely any sign.

what am i supposed to do now? where to go from here?


my goodness. i was stupid.

now i am a bum. lazy bum.

half-awake. writing a non-sense post.



push.

push me. forward.

inspire me.


or maybe i need gas.

Barado

I have always wanted to be doctor. That is why during my last year here at the University of the Philippines Manila as a Biology student, I could never be more excited. I know that just a few more months and I finally can do..
..what I have always dreamed of as a kid
..what I have always stuck on my mind as a teenager
..what I have always been waiting for all this time.

This being-a-doctor thing, this isn’t only a dream for me. When I was a kid, maybe yes. But for the rest of the years that I have existed then, it has changed dramatically. I spent most of my growing-up years in a rural area. As a teenager, I slowly and carefully observed how the community lacked enough medical attention. In college, due to the fact that I studied in UP Manila, I have seen with my eyes the reality that is within the walls of the Philippine General Hospital. It wasn’t good enough. What more on the many underserved communities of the country? This is why I decided to apply for the UP College of Medicine’s Regionalization Program.

The UP College of Medicine has always been my first choice. Not only is this institution the most affordable med school in the country, it also provides excellent medical education and training for its students. Anyone who gets accepted in this institution must be very lucky, privileged, and must be really proud. But it doesn’t end there. As for me, after med school, I would be very happy to return to my community (or anywhere else needing my help) in order to apply everything that UPCM has taught me.

I want to be a doctor now because of the people, people in need of medical assistance, especially those who are underprivileged.

It is now my passion. My passion to serve.

My willingness.

It is not just a dream anymore.

Stripped.. again.

I have always wanted to be doctor. That is why during my last year here at the University of the Philippines Manila as a Biology student, I could never be more excited. I know that just a few more months and I finally can do..
..what I have always dreamed of as a kid
..what I have always stuck on my mind as a teenager
..what I have always been waiting for all this time.

This being-a-doctor thing, this isn’t only a dream for me. When I was a kid, maybe yes. But for the rest of the years that I have existed then, it has changed dramatically. I spent most of my growing-up years in a rural area. As a teenager, I slowly and carefully observed how the community lacked enough medical attention. In college, due to the fact that I studied in UP Manila, I have seen with my eyes the reality that is within the walls of the Philippine General Hospital. It wasn’t good enough. What more on the many underserved communities of the country? This is why I decided to apply for the UP College of Medicine’s Regionalization Program.

The UP College of Medicine has always been my first choice. Not only is this institution the most affordable med school in the country, it also provides excellent medical education and training for its students. Anyone who gets accepted in this institution must be very lucky, privileged, and must be really proud. But it doesn’t end there. As for me, after med school, I would be very happy to return to my community (or anywhere else needing my help) in order to apply everything that UPCM has taught me.

I want to be a doctor now because of the people, people in need of medical assistance, especially those who are underprivileged.

It is now my passion. My passion to serve.

My willingness.

It is not just a dream anymore.

Download Music from IMEEM

Free music zilla, the first tool specialized for social music downloading, enables you download free mp3/music/song from IMEEM, Last.fm, Pandora, My Space and almost all social music services.

It's easy to operate and a really hear-and-get tool, from which you can obtain unlimited amount of songs.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Instructions on how to use Free Music Zilla when downloading from IMEEM is found HERE.

Output file is on .flv form. To convert them to .mp3, go to this online FLV to MP3 converter here.

...

How to embed fonts on Word and PowerPoint files

Font style is an essential part of an Office file, especially when used for Presentations or on Reports. When used properly and effectively, it makes the output more interesting to the intended viewers.
However, due to increased mobility and sharing in computer technology, it is sometimes difficult for a document to maintain its style when passed on to different users or opened on different computers.

The use of files in PDF format is a very effective way in preserving font styles in a document. But the idea of using PDF (I think; at the moment) is still limited to selected individuals.

Luckily, the new Office 2007 (by Microsoft) provides an easy way to maintain the font styles used in a document (Word, PowerPoint, or Excel) even if the computer where you'll open it doesn't contain the fonts you used.

Here's how:

1. Click the Office Button (the round button on the upper-leftmost corner of the interface)
2. Select Word Options (or PowerPoint Options or Excel Options). A new window appears.
3. On the Save tab (on the left side), check the box with 'Embed fonts in the file'
4. Also check the box with 'Embed only the characters used in this document'
5. Click OK
6. Save your document and you're good to go.

Do Not Disturb!

An early Happy Christmas greeting.

Manila Ocean Park

It’s just ten days and this ‘world-class’ oceanarium located at the back of the Quirino Grand Stand opens. I am excited! I hope me and my friends would at least find some time to drop by this place.
The Manila Ocean Park is the Philippines’ first state-of-the-art oceanarium, open water marine habitat, boutique mall, restaurant row, and function facilities all located in one complex (Official site).
According to news, the Manila Ocean Park would be among the most advanced ocean parks in Asia -- with an area larger than the famous Sentosa oceanarium in Singapore.
It would feature six major exhibits, all names derived from a Filipino word. Some of these include:

1. Agos (Flow) - the only open area in the facility, will show the interconnectedness between the water and land. An artificial waterfall and a touch pool will also be located here.
2. Bahura (Reef) – will house artificial corals
3. Laot (Fishing ground) – will contain large fishes and rays.
4. Kalaliman (Deep) – barracudas!
   

The highlight of the whole water-world experience in this facility is the 25-meter long walkway tunnel with 220-degree curved acrylic walls.
Awesome?
Really cool.
Entrance fee is 250.00 for students and 350.00 to 400.00 for regular visitors. This (1-billion peso) first and largest aquarium facility in the Philippines opens December 12, 2007.

December Boy

This first Ian's Alphabet post talks about someone who considers himself a walking wallet (his friends began calling him that, too), and the many, many products sold along Pedro Gil Street.

The wallet describes all the familiar items that he saw along the street, all the stuff he wanted to buy and those that he already bought.

This buying-along-P. Gil Street-thing, the wallet thought, is one event in his college life that he'll never ever forget.


The walking wallet and its adventures.

Okay so maybe Arlene and Karen are the only ones who will understand what I am going to talk about. But let me just share it too.
Every after class, when the three of us are on our way home and we get to walk along Pedro Gil Street in Ermita, Manila, I transform into a wallet.
When at least one of us feels like buying something along that sidewalk, all of us end up buying something for ourselves..

Cellphone accessories

Okay, these are Class B products. So what? Buying covers, cases, straps, and the like won’t do any harm to the cellphone, right? Just be careful with one thing: cellphone batteries and chargers. Incidents of battery/charger explosion are not new here in our country (or maybe anywhere else). It is really, really possible. Worse if you set your house on fire because of these second-class chargers. Be cautious if you’re using one! (Don’t let it stay on the whole night)

Girly-girly Stuff

I’m not sure if Arlene and Karen have tried buying one of those kikay hair clips, bands, bags (?), etc. Hahahah... Oh. What I remember is them buying ‘flashy’ sets of earrings! They loved the ‘button-style’ kind (oops, maybe that was Lala)

Books and Back-Issue Magazines

Yeah, even books are now all over the streets or Ermita. I actually saw one time a hard-bound The Da Vinci Code book being sold there. I wonder how much it costs..
Magazines? Yeah I remember seeing a man selling a full FHM Philippines Magazine collection on the street! Wow. (My brother’s kind of ‘jackpot’)

Fun Lampshades

Ever since I first saw those cube-shaped lamps+alarm clock sold along the streets, I have always fancied having one of those on my room. I dunno.. they just looked cool. Hahahah (sounds cheap?). Yeah well.

Pirates

- But of course! This is the root of all evil! Hahah. Kidding. Okay. I buy some. Sometimes (although I am more comfortable in downloading DVD-ripped movies from the web). And I don’t deny the possibility that I might be buying another one again someday. Oh come on, don’t tell me you don’t have one at home?

“Manong, meron po kayong December Boys?”

- I can’t believe I actually asked this. A guy (for God’s sake).
It sounds porn-y to me.

So far, these are the items that I have bought there:
- a blue Sony Ericsson cellphone strap (it's already gone)
- Grey's Anatomy Season 3 DVD
- Heroes Season 1 DVD (lacked the last 4 episodes. Argh.)
- Cellphone silicon case (for Arls)
- House MD DVD (for Renk)
- Sony Ericsson Headset
- Sony Ericsson battery charger (I am very, very careful on this one, promise)
- 20-in-1 Movie Package DVD (for Arls and Renk)

Enough! I say

This post is dedicated to all the people who [just] had given me something to do.


To you,

I am so grateful for what you just did.
Not being sarcastic or anything, but really, you saved me from the fires of [hell] -- I mean, boredom.
Without you, I might have turned into the greatest lazy bum in the whole world.

But you saved me.
And I am so thankful for that.


Sincerely yours,
Ian

P.S.

I'm not sure how long I'm gonna be like this, so please, don't take advantage, ha?.
XD



*Cut!*

Okay. Enough of all the drama. Here's the thing:

I AM BORED.

"Dalawang beses na nga lang sa isang linggo ang pasok ko,
suspended pa."
- ian

Music is My Girlfriend

Okay. Here's the sequel to my "No Deal!" post.


November 11.
Music was my lover this whole day!

Seeing that my iTunes library had 969 songs already -- I was unsatisfied. Hahah!
So I downloaded. More. More. More.

Hmm.. the question is, what to download?

Hindi naman kasi talaga ako sobrang updated sa latest or yung super magagandang songs kaya wala akong maisip talaga.
So I googled album torrents.

Dashboard Confessional -- naalala ko kasi si Alaine. Ayun. Shade of Poison Trees was their most recent album. Ma-download nga.
Next -- BSB and Britney. Nakita ko kasi sila sa banner ng CD Universe as 'new releases'. Matagal ko na rin naman silang hindi napapakingggan. So there.

Unbreakable (Backstreet Boys -- minus Kevin)
and
Blackout (Britney's latest feat. Gimme More)

Here's something pala from Britney's new album:
Funny, funny thing that on one of Britney's song, entitled "Piece of Me", she mentioned the Philippines! Hahahah.. lol.

The first time I heard the song, I thought it was just me who hasn't been really paying attention to her new music because, at that time I thought I heard her say something like... "Philippines."
So I googled for the lyrics.
Kitam!?!? Tama ako!
What I heard was really on her lyrics -- Philippines!
Funny, funny, funny.

Here's that part:

I’m Miss American Dream since I was 17
Don’t matter if I step on the scene
Or sneak away to the Philippines
They still gonna put pictures of my derrière in the magazine
You want a piece of me?
You want a piece of me…

Okay, get over it.

*Cut*

Haaay. Ang hirap pala maghanap ng mga kanta on the spot. Minsan kasi mas marami akong naiisip na gustong i-download if nasa bus ako on my way home/to school. Ngayon blangko.
Kainis.

*think, think, think


These are the rest of the albums I added that day to my iTunes library:

- the rest of Fall Out Boy's Infinity On High (I already have some before)

- Josh Groban's Noel (Christmas album), and the rest of the songs from his Closer and Awake album

- Meet the Robinsons OST -- because I was so up to finding that ending song in the movie which sounded like it was by Rob Thomas. I was right! Heheheh..

- Christina Aguilera's Back to Basics. Ang gusto ko talagang hanapin eh yung older albums niya. Kaya lang rare find sila sa most torrent sites.. so yung latest na lang niya. Hindi ko pa napapakinggan lahat, pero 2-Disc siya. How the album goes is I think more of like JT's FutureSex/LoveSounds.. basta parang ganun yung style. Maganda actually.

- Chris Brown's "Exclusive" .. uh, wala lang. Heheh.. The many reviews of this album made me do it. Top seller siya sa iTunes Store, tapos backed-up pa by so many positive reviews -- so why not give it a chance, di ba?
Haven't heard any of the songs yet. Maybe soon. I might post my own review by then.

- PCD (Pussycat Dolls). This one's funny. I have their hit songs, BUT as music videos and not as .mp3s.. Hahahah.. Ang galing kasi. So anyway. Today was the time I finally decided to have a copy of their album and listen to it -- JUST listen to it.

- My Prerogative: [Britney's] Greatest Hits -- I missed her. Actually. *I can't believe I just said that*
She had this spark before when it comes to performing. Everything just went too bad for her.
Her new album's okay by the way.

- And then there was Headlines by the Spice Girls. They're lucky they were on Yahoo!'s headlines that day. Then I watched the video. They still have 'it' I think. So there. I grabbed a copy of their Greatest Hits. This one's for my ate. She's a big fan before.

- Sigur Ros. Awesome music. Different but cool. It soothes my mind everytime I listen to it. I downloaded all five albums.
My wallpaper's Sigur Ros, too. =p



It didn't take me too long to download all these (I was actually surprised recently with SmartBro's download speed. I'm quite satisfied.)

I'm planning to get a copy of the following some time soon:
- Kanye West's Graduation
- Alicia Keys' As I Am
- Dashboard Confessional's earlier albums
- the new Click Five album
- Michael Buble's
- and many more.

So there. Now I have 5.59 GB of music and videos. (Can't wait for my iPod. Hahah!)

The new iPod Nano is sooo cool (square-shaped).
I want it Black.
I can't wait! Kahit 4 GB lang Kuya Twit, ok na. XD
Merry Christmas!

The new iPod Nano Ad is cool as well (featuring Feist's music video of 1234).
Nakaka-LSS actually yung song!

November 12.
First day of classes.
Hopefully my last 'first day of class', too.

Only one thing is clear today:
I FINALLY GOT THE CHANCE TO ACTUALLY HOLD/TOUCH/USE AN iPhone (even for just a couple of minutes).

Waaaaah. Pwede na akong mamatay! (Ang babaw ko. =p )

Nainggit talaga ako. Hehehe.
Someday. Magkakaroon din ako (ng mas maganda pa) niyan.
PEACE!

Anyway. Hindi ko pa rin ipagpapalit ang aking Cyber-shot Phone. *muah*


PS.
Karen didn't do well sa initiation namin sa BRATernity. Tsk. But she could try harder next time.
XD

No Deal!

My first November 2007 entry.
Sige na nga lalahatin ko na.

November 1.
Yey. Nadalaw ko si Mama. Last year kasi hindi. This time unusual kasi gabi kami pumunta. Freaky.
Yeah, I know that most people especially dito sa Manila eh used to going to the cemetery at night. Sa probinsiya kasi, hindi ganun.
Kaya nung nandun kami, wow. Halos wala nang tao. Puro na lang mga nakasinding kandila.
At dahil nga hindi talaga sadyang sa gabi pumupunta, wala talagang ilaw sa sementeryo 'pag gabi..
Ayun.
Flashlight. Matchsticks. Candles. Flowers. Cellphone. MP3 player.

Annoying lang, kasi mga 10 minutes pag-alis namin, niyaya ko yung pinsan ko na bumalik dun sa place. Wala lang. Naisip ko lang. At goodness. Wala na yung candles. Haaaay. Pesteng mga bata.


November 2 - 3.
Ate and I visited our house na pinagawa ni Papa. Yung bahay 'niya'. Hahahah.. 'Pag umuuwi kasi kami sa Pangasinan, sa bahay ng lolo ko kami nag-stay. So since we had the time, we paid a visit na rin sa 'aming' bahay talaga.
* malayo kasi yun from lolo's house
* wala (pang) nakatira dun

Ibang level talaga tatay ko. Ang galing. Heheheh. Everytime I see that house (our house), I always ask myself, "kaya ko rin kayang magpatayo ng ganitong klase ng bahay?"
Ang sipag ng tatay ko. Sobra. Sana ako rin ganun. =p

We spent the night there (it was my father's idea -- or should I say, request). My uncle (Papa's younger brother), who takes care of the house 'pag wala kami, caught 20+ fresh tilapia that afternoon sa aming fish pond. So nung hapunan, woah.. Grilled tilapia & bagoong.. Damn it was soooo good. ('Tis one of the many reasons kung bakit masarap umuwi sa probinsiya.)

Feel na feel kong tumira sa bahay na yun. Hahahah... the perfect house fit for a king (me!). Anyway.. sa Master's Bedroom ako natulog (shhh...) at doon, nakita ko yung blueprint nung bahay.
Badtrip. Modified pala 'tong bahay. From what I saw, mas maganda yung original plan. Well, sabi nga ni Kuya, blueprints aren't always followed 100% (I took that from an engineer, so wala akong nagawa. Ganun daw talaga).
Tsk. Mas astig sana. The original structure of the house included a covered circular veranda on its right side. Actually mukhang stadium if viewed outside.. hahahah.. pero I think it would be really nice. Unique.

Still. Okay pa rin naman. Weeee... After all, the bathroom is still my favorite part of the house.


November 4.
Grand Family Reunion ng mga Noveloso. Weeeee! Happy.
Ang daming tao!!! Wahahahah.. As if naman lahat yun ay from the clan. Hmp.
Hahahah...

At last, I finally had the chance to talk personally kay Ninong Ronald.. First time actually. =p
Anyway, member siya ng band na Parliament Syndicate (a band way, way back pa.. mga nung 90's yata).. he plays the Sax (i think). Too bad wala na yung band ngayon.
It wasn’t just a band, by the way. They had an album, gigs, and stuff before. The last time I saw them on TV was on ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show ASAP (back in my elem. days pa!)
Right now, he's working sa isang cruise ship sa US (still as a musician).

"Ninong! Kamusta naman, 20 na ako.."

"PSP or iPod?"

*for a split second my mind went blank*

"PSP"

"Okay. -- ..naku, patay... kukulitin ako nito sa FaceBook."

*grin*


November 5.
Enrolment! Late ako (ian=late)™
Still, I managed to get all my pre-enlisted subjects:
Rad. Bio (Mth, 8.30 to 10), and
Hum. II (Mth, 11.30 to 1).
Twice a week lang ako.. heheheh.. NIIICE.

Too bad di pa kami nakapagbayad ng tuition. Magulo kasi kung magkano talaga eh. Everyone agreed na sa first day of classes na lang.
First time ko sa bagong Midtown Wing ng Rob. Manila! Cool. Hahaha. At least may bago just before man lang kami mggraduate. =p
May TimeZone sa Midtown -- hahahah.. tagal na din ako hindi naglaro dito. 1st year college pa yata nun.. yeah.. kasama ko kuya ko nun sa Pavilion.

Anyway. So much for that kiddy-kiddy stuff. Graduating student na ako! Wahahahah...

*ay, may thesis pala. =p


November 6 - 10.
There was this day between 6 and 10 wherein bumalik ako sa school to meet our thesis adviser. Can't actually remember exactly when.
Late ako.
Marami yata akong na-miss.
Too bad I wasn't properly reoriented after. Ayun. Nagkanda-loko-loko nako nung Nov. 10 (Sat.) yata.. mabuti na lang online si Karen.
Thank God she's online! Really, thanks.

Anyway. Naka-getover nako diyan. =p

Bumili pala kami ni Karen ng notebook sa KartON.
Ang cool nung sakin. Hahahah.. Papansin.
Too bad unavailable na yung gusto talaga ni Ren na design.

Naglaro pala kami nila Fai at Ren ng Deal or No Deal sa TimeZone (first time!)
Lol. Nakakatawa kami. We were laughing and screaming at the same time. Hahahahah.. Nag 'No Deal' kami until the end -- ayun. Briefcase no. 9 --> 5 Tickets. Waaaaah..
Self-esteem level: Too Low. Very Low.


So there.. for the meantime.
Actually I have a separate entry for November 11, so I have to cut it here.

*Cut*

Huggy

I bought a throw pillow and a bolster today.

Because
...my old pillows stink already. I threw them out this morning
...I'll be needing a lot of sleep for the next few days
...I want something new in my room
...the throw pillow looked cool
...I'm beginning to think of buying stuff that I could bring when I move to a dorm (for my Med years)
...I'll be needing a pillow for a very very very long trip to Pangasinan on Thursday
...they were affordable
...I never had a bolster when I was a kid
...I need comfort

and

...I'm a huggy person.

Eeekeee

Today Ian reunited with his adviser and thesis-mates for a common cause.
Duh..?!? Ano pa ba eh di thesis.

He and Sith divided their work since both have to deal with more than a thousand data.
They always divide the work naman. So it's normal.
What wasn't normal today was the fact that Ian actually managed to push through without actually totally knowing what he was doing.
Hahahahah. Sounds weird. Yeah.

That's what he did all this time.

Managed to work out 163 entries today by finding EST sequences from NCBI. Four hundred thirty one more.
He could've done more.

However he thought he was tiring himself too much and he needed a break.
Well, not all breaks are quick.
Not to him.
After a "Cracklings" pig-out, he started downloading Episode 5 of Grey's Anatomy (Season 4). While doing so (since the download takes about an hour and a half to finish), he watched Ratatouille (which he downloaded the other night *oops*).

The movie was great, except for some eeekeee parts where rats are all over the kitchen. (Really gross at first).

Quite tired, Ian decides to see Grey's tomorrow morning, just before he starts living his life this weekend -- the life of a.. uh... watchamacallit. Whatever. A robot perhaps.

By the way,
Monday is Audi day.

..zzZZZ

Kaboom

Ian only had half of what October 25 2007 has to offer.
Darn.

He woke up really late. 12.30 PM -- despite the fact that he slept too early (2.30 AM! hahahah)
He was so bored and felt really lazy that time that all he did was to get himself milk and cereals -- he ignored his lunch.
He played Audi for the next 1.5 hours, and now has 130,000+ EXP -- only a few more games and he's ready for another License.
Then his fingers got really tired that they didn't follow him anymore.
So he decided to relax -- a filmfest, maybe (movie marathon)
He listed 6. But was only able to see three:
- High School Musical 2
- Goal! 2: Living the Dream
- The Incredibles
- The Ugly Duckling and Me (unfinished; just halfway)

He ate a lot today. Especially chocolate cookies. Fourteen pieces.

A really boring day.

But then something happened. The data for Ian and Sith's thesis have arrived.
He panicked. Then felt worried. Then sad.
Panicked because it was unexpected.
Worried because he isn't ready [yet]. He doesn't know what to do [yet].
Sad because he never thought his 'sem-break' would end this early.

Now he's still up. Writing this. Then thesis mode after.

He says with a sigh, "Really sad.. so sad."


His alter-ego speaks, "Cheer up. This is what you've been waiting for. Now that it's here, start learning to love it. Otherwise you're the one who will suffer in the end."


Ian now thinks he's insane.
Is he?



He ends this day by wishing he won't have any thesis nightmares tonight.

----------------
Listening to: Colbie Caillat - Realize
via FoxyTunes

Windows 7

Vista is the latest OS version offered by Windows. It comes in 6 editions, depending on what you do on your PC, or what your PC can handle:
- Vista Starter
- Vista Home Basic
- Vista Home Premium
- Vista Business
- Vista Enterprise
- Vista Ultimate

I've tried Vista (a geniune OS, okay?) since it was pre-installed on my laptop when I bought it -- just Home Basic, however. At first I was excited because I'll be able to experience the new look and feel, features and improvements in this OS. But goodness, I was so surprised when I found out that the "Basic" Vista version eats approximately 8 GB of your memory just for the system files ALONE.
Yup. 8GB. Ouch.

I noticed it because it says that my laptop has 80GB total HDD memory, but the first time I used/opened it (meaning nothing is installed yet, even MS Office), the remaining memory is only 70+ GB. Wow.

In effect, my laptop ran quite slow (in my own definition of slow, meaning it takes almost 5 minutes for my laptop to become 'ready' when turned on.

What I did? I removed Vista and installed XP instead.
It was a breather. Since then, I fully enjoyed the 'XP experience' the fastest way possible.

Now people, what I want to say is, not unless you have the high-end hardwares that can handle the requirements of Vista, don't switch to Vista.

Another good reason not to switch is that: *drum roll please*

A NEWER WINDOWS O.S. IS ON ITS WAY! (*duh.. not again.)

Yup. That is right.
From what I have read, the new OS is recently called Windows 7 (previously codenamed as "Blackcomb", then "Vienna"), and it will be the successor of Vista.

Here's the catch: creators of the said OS are fighting their way in order to make Windows 7 as 'light' as possible.

Microsoft knows how bulky Vista is. And most people (including me) always associate Windows as a "really large bloated operating system." Yeah, seriously.

The New Windows 7 will have a core kernel on its system called MinWin. With it, Microsoft has ditched the lot in order to get MinWin down to the point where it takes up 25MB of hard disk space and runs in 40MB of RAM.

I hope that would be really true.
25MB of HDD. Just 25 MB?!? are you kidding me? OMFG. Really awesome.
And the RAM requirement: 40MB. Amazing. (in comparison to Vista Home Basic, which requires AT LEAST 512MB of RAM).

According to Microsoft, what drives them to do such technology is that "the OS is used in a lot of different ways, and this will provide the opportunity to move into a lot of different areas."


So guys, 'wag na mag-Vista. (Hahahahah..)

Windows 7 is expected to be released 3 years from now.



----------------
Listening to: Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten
via FoxyTunes

Mozilla Firefox Web Browser

A web browser is an essential software program that every PC must have. Without it, you won't be able to access the Internet.

One popular web browser is Firefox (created by Mozilla). Well, it maybe not as well-known as Internet Explorer (which comes with every Windows OS), but from my experience, it's definitely BETTER.

First of all, it's FREE. You can get it here.

Internet Explorer (IE) can only be used in a computer with a Windows OS. Safari (a default Mac web browser) -- I'm not sure. I haven't tried using it.

In terms of security, Firefox is equipped with phising protection (for online financial information processing), a pop-up blocker, and an anti-spyware feature.

The Tab Browsing
The tab feature was first used in Firefox (IE also has it now on its latest version, IE 7). The 'tab' is like a semi-window which opens at the very same window that you are using when web browsing. For me, it's a very useful feature, since you don't have to open a new window for several links. A lot of opened windows make my eyes sore.

Speed - This is where Firefox gets its edge.
I did an experiment in order to determine which has a faster download speed: IE7 or Firefox2. Since both shows the average rate when downloading a file, the experiment is not hard to do. I just downloaded the same file from the same website. Of course, my bandwith speed/internet connection speed is constant.
The result: Firefox can download up to TWICE faster than IE. I am so sure of that. I dunno why. It just does.

Firefox Plug-ins: Weeee!
Plug-ins are mini-installers that you incorporate in a main program to improve its functionality or appearance. There are dozens of plug-ins available for Firefox (but not on IE).
What's on my browser now are the ff.:
- Orbit Video Downloader: grab videos from popular video streaming sites (YouTube, etc.)
- FoxyTunes: a mini iTunes player is embedded on the lower portion of the browser where you can control music playback while surfing. Realy nice =)
- Dictionary: when installed, just right-click on any English word on a website, and a balloon that appears will tell you its meaning.

You can also customize and change the look and feel of your Firefox web browser by downloading skins or themes

Cool huh?

End your suffering. Get Mozilla Firefox 2 now.



----------------
Listening to: Fountains of Wayne - Stacy's Mom
via FoxyTunes

Flooder

I just flooded Multiply's updates page.
Ngayon ko lang narealize.
Sorry! heheheh.

Ganito kasi yun.. I imported some blog entries from my Blogger blog to Multiply. Some posts kasi were left out sa Blogger. Ayun.

Ang dami pa pala. =p

sen • ti • mo

This is my 100th blog entry!

Funny I haven't even thought of something more worthy to post in here.

Oh well. I just want to celebrate.

----------------
Listening to: Jesse McCartney - We Can Go Anywhere
via FoxyTunes

Crazy, no?

You want questions? Take these.

(They're all over the net, but I got them here.)

*music plays on background*

• Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are getting dead?
  

• Why do banks charge a fee on "insufficient funds" when they know there is not enough money?
  

• Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?
  

• Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?
  

• Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
  

• Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?
  

• Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?
  

• Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
  

• Whose idea was it to put an "S" in the word "lisp"?
  

• Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?
  

• Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?
  

• Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?
  

• Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?
  

• Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?
  

• How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?
  

• When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, "It's all right" Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, "That hurt, you stupid idiot?"
  

• Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?
  

• How old are you before it can be said you died of old age?
  

• If someone owns a piece of land, do they own it all the way to the center of the earth?
  

• Do penguins have knees?
  

• Why did Sally sell seashells on the seashore when you can just pick them up anyway?
  

• In libraries, do they put the bible in the fiction or non-fiction section?
  

• Does a two-humped camel store more water than a one-humped camel?
  

• Why is it that if someone yells "duck" they are helping you, but if they yell "chicken" they are insulting you?
  

• If you fart and burp at the same time, would it make a vacuum in your tummy?
  

• How can Darth Vader breathe and talk at the same time?
  

• Why are red buttons always the most important?
  

• Why do Easter bunnies carry eggs? Rabbits don't lay eggs.
  

• If marbles are not made of marble, why are they called marbles?
  

• If you dig a hole through the center of the earth, come out on the other side, and then let go, would you be falling down or floating up?
  

• Can you slam a revolving door?
  

• If you only have one eye...are you blinking or winking?
  

• Why is it that people duck in the rain, do they really think the rain won't hit them?
  

• Why do they put holes in crackers?
  

• Why is it called a "building" when it is already built?
  

• Why do the ABC song, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Baa Baa Black Sheep all have the same tune?
  

• How can you hear yourself think?
  

• Why is it called lipstick when it always comes off?
  

• Are zebras black with white stripes, or white with black stripes?
  

• Did they have antiques in the olden days?
  

• If you try to fail and succeed, what did you just do?
  

• Why do people never say "it's only a game" when they're winning?
  

• Why are boxing rings square?
  

• Why can't women put on mascara with their mouth closed?
  

• Why are they called stairs inside but steps outside?
  

• Do cows drink milk?
  

• Why do they call it an escalator if it takes you down?
  

• Why is the name of the phobia for the fear of long words hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?
  

• Why do we say "bye bye" but not "hi hi"?

Okay. That's it.

Bye bye!


----------------
Listening to: A.B. O'Neill - California
via FoxyTunes

The Mess

Sembreak Madness has just kicked in (well, for me, yeah. Just now.)

No worries whatsoever. Anyway, before I fully enjoy this precious 14-day break, I must first sort things out..


SICKLE (my ever dearest lappy toppy)

- 80 GB hard drive. Just the average HDD memory then (when I bought it), although the normal HDD now for laptops range from 100 to 160 GB.. (damn innovation.. hahahah). Anyhoo, my point is -- after this sem, Sickle's free HDD is down to barely 14 GB! oh no..

These are the reasons why:

1. PC Games

The Sims 2
- took approx. 3 GB of Sickle's memory, plus another 1.2 GB 'Sims 2' folder, created on the 'Documents' folder for add-ons, saved games, and stuff.

The Reflexive Games DVD Package
- I installed just 3 Fun Packs, and each pala was 800-900 MB! So 2.4 GB na..

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- the third installment in the series is my favorite. So there, just 700 MB, but then hindi ko naman siya nilalaro.. weird.

2. iTune-d

Sickle definitely has to have music in him. That's a requirement! Music is my life. A laptop without a single mp3 (or other music files) on it is not a laptop. Hahahahah.
*checks his iTunes library*
uhh.. so far, I have 910 songs (can be played simultaneously for 2.4 days) -- 4.25 GB
music videos: 66 items -- 1.06 GB

3. Downloads Folder

This is where I dump all downloaded softwares whatsoever. And I don't delete them. I just thought they might come in handy someday. These are really good softwares, actually. Well, for the techy, yes, they really are worth the download.
998 Files (1.88 GB)

4. HD Videos

High Definition video technology. Thank God. 'Coz of this, missed shows can now be downloaded in the best quality like it was on TV. Movies, too (hahaha, *oops*)
My Videos folder: 11.6 GB --> Okay, now this is a notorious one.

5. Photos

To all those people who has a digital camera (or a megapixel camera phone) might understand why the Pictures folder gets a really big bite of the computer's memory. Hmm.. let me check..
Okay, my camera phone gallery alone covers 1.41 GB of the memory. Tsk.

6. School Stuff

Hahahahah. My worst folder ever. Feeling ko, deleting this folder will end Sickle's suffering! Lol.
My school-related documents piled up to 1.16 GB. Arghh.
Documents pa lang yun. May school-related photos pa (which includes BIO196 posters I created, BIO150 project, and these photos for a logo-making contest na sinalihan ko ages ago at until now wala pa ring resulta (haaay, nawala na yung excitement) oh well.

7. Installed Programs

Here are the bulky ones (but worth the chunk of space)
- Microsoft Office 2007
- Nero 7 (for CD/DVD burning, and a whole LOT MORE)
- Audition Dance Battle & O2 Jam Music Battle (my online social life. hahahah)
- Fraps (Online Gaming video recorder -- for my Dance Performances. Hahahah)
- Adobe Photoshop CS (everyone deserves a good edit)
- iTunes (the ultimate Media player -- with or without an iPod)


MY ROOM

..is so full of 8x11 pieces of paper
..has books stacked on one corner
..has scattered CDs everywhere
..is not your room
..is blue
..is where I do things
..hasn't change much. BUT IT MUST.


MY SOUL

this sem was unbelievable.
one time, i always had the chance to drop by the PGH chapel.
..have my disoriented self put back together even for just an hour
..a peaceful, quiet moment alone

this 1st sem took it away. a very bad schedule, indeed.

I WANT IT BACK.




There are A LOT of things that has happened last sem. Most of them, I really had fun dealing with.

But with all this bulk? NO WAY.



Hey, Sem's Over, Dude.


It's ALL OVER.

..to be continued