Hi.

Hello. Second semester is over, and so is junior year. I survived the awkwardness (that came with the batch merging into one block), the proposal writing, the unbelievable professors, getting a new phone then losing it, etc. This year's messed up, but God loves to surprise us in the midst of everything. He gave me new opportunities in terms of my service in YFC, excelled in my proposal, and fell in love in the process. Truly, junior year is amazing.

11/21/2012
UST Library, Social Sciences
Around 4PM

Dear friend,

We were made to recite, voluntarily, prayers in Spanish. I love the idea of learning to speak with God in another language, but I don't get why we should do the la senal de la cruz (yes, the gesture!) while reciting! I mean, we're not even praying at that time. Maybe I could ask the seminarians if there's anything wrong with that. Although, I'm actually learning Spanish. But blah, violates so much of my academic principles. This semester will be fast, I should be making the most out of it and stop complaining.

I should be finishing this literature review. And start thinking about my own topic.

D.

Capacities*

Last week, I realized that the whole month of September was just crazy. Our class helped organized two events, one for Art Appreciation and the other for the AB Sociology Section. While doing so, we're trying our best to comply with every requirement our professors give us-not matter how silly un-socio like those things are (i.e. Why ask Sociology majors to produce a play if our core courses are research intensive?). 

Most of my classmates are probably thinking that being a research assistant to one of our profs this sem is advantageous. Well, it is and it is not. I guess the advantage that I have is the training that I experienced. I know what the prof expects, and what he wants to see. It ends there. Honestly, having the professor to teach us this sem is not good. I mean, I am pressured. Every time I write something, I would read it and think how he'd react. I feel as if he's expecting me to do better than what I am doing now, because I've been trained in a different way. Well, I think I aced my report. I hope I did.

Capacities. I believe that I am capable of greater things. Capable of overcoming the stress, and delivering what is needed (and more). I have a great capacity...and patience.

*This entry's title is inspired by Up Dharma Down's new album. 

Junior Year.

Ang bilis ng panahon.

Yesterday, a barista asked me if I was still in high school. I don't know if I should take it as a compliment, or as a joke. Come to think of it, I still look like a kid from high school because of my uniform. Then I realized, I'm already in 3rd year college. Wow, where did the years go? And after 3 semesters, I'll be out of the University. Mas mabilis pala ang oras sa college.

Meanwhile, I'm starting to accept the fact that I'm already a junior and that my schedule is actually good. Sure, the hours are not great, but at least I get to sleep more in the morning. I'm adjusting to the evening commute! I think I'll do just fine without having to stay in a dorm 'til I graduate. I just need to be extra cautious (and stop sleeping) during the commute. Also, in order to survive (and ultimately, excel), I need to develop better study habits. 

Get ready to be conquered, junior year!

Immersion.

Sure, being a Sociology major may not present a clear career path after graduation but being one entitles you to a lot of perks. As students, we get to travel and meet new people while learning. This is facilitated through our community exposure trips or immersions. With those activities, we get to apply the theories we read in books in real life situations. 

For our first immersion, we went to Davao for a week. Getting there was not easy, literally. There were a lot of obstacles, but it was worth it. All those days of being yelled at, running around the University, etc. paid off. "I can't believe it. Nasa Davao na talaga tayo. Maayong buntag!" Seeing everyone excited was enough for me. Suddenly, my blockmates were filled with energy that they didn't have in a few hours back in Manila. The whole week shocked us. It was full of ups and downs, of new experiences, and of strengthening relationships. 

Truly, it was a week to remember. A week filled with laughter, stories and lessons. I want to share those priceless moments, but where do I start? For almost a month now, I've wanted to write about our immersion. I want to share the lives of Nanay Edna and her family, Francis, kuya Julian and nanay Orlan. Then it struck me. Why do we even have our immersion? To write a research paper? What comes after that? Parang may mali eh. So what if we write a good paper? Do we better the lives of these people? 

Our lives intersected with theirs when we had our immersion. We have influenced the way they live the same way they influence us. While in their community and/or institution, we do research not a student from the University but as one of them. In Pigasaan, we experienced the long walk that students take just to attend school. They showed us that life could be simple and stress free; and that electricity is not needed to be entertained. The people from Pigasaan made us feel genuine kindness-the one that does not expect nothing in return. The inmates in DAPECOL showed us that respect and discipline are often enforced through fear, while those from CIW-Mindanao told us stories on how a mother's love could go beyond the norms and laws of society. 

How could we give their stories life? How could we go beyond the data in analyzing the reality? How could we change status quo? Reality ain't pretty, but what else can we do? We have 2 years of University life left, I just hope my questions will be answered by then.

2SCL2 <3

Back to Reality!

Long Thomasian weekend: OVER! For the past 5 days, I tried to be productive as possible. I've tried to work at home and outside, only to finish my academic requirements earlier. I guess long weekends are meant for procrastination, I mean, rest.

Happy Indeed

Finally, I met Mr. Jim Libiran! I did saw him during the Kinse premiere, BUT NOT THIS CLOSE. HAHAHA. Happy day <3 Photos taken last February 9, 2012 at the Tan Yan Kee Student Center, University of Sto. Tomas after the Happyland forum.

With Direk Jim :) (c) Jaja Veneracion

(c) Jaja Veneracion

With Pau and fellow fans, Axl & Malou (c) Jaja Veneracion

I've known sir Yayet for 4 semesters now, been working for him for 3 semesters already. But amazingly, this is my first picture with him. Ayos di ba? HAHA.  (c) Shayne Ruebe

The Happyland forum was more than an opportunity to meet Direk Jim, or to support my senior ates and kuyas. It made me realize that I'm supposed to be here. No questions asked. Direk Jim said "kailangan ng perseverance at talent para mag succeed, hindi pera". We all have our measures for success. As for me, you've got to love what you do for you to be successful. I'm going to strive hard not to get high grades, but for me to be successful here.

Thesis.

Earlier, I was reading The Manila Boy's blog on tumblr. His latest post goes like this:

Ang Thesis, nagsisimula sa Proposal
Papatunayang may patutunguhan ang Proposal
Pag napatunayan mo na, Kailangan nang Patunayan na totoo ang Proposal mo.
Para magtagumpay, kailangan mong panindigan para tanggapin ng lahat ang Thesis mo. 

Ang thesis ay parang pag-big.

Research is an important part in the discipline of Sociology. The moment you take Sociology courses, the professors are actually 'training' you to think critically and to do research. During our first year in college, we've written tons of mini-papers (ranging from 3 to 7 pages). This semester, we're taking up Research I (Introduction to Research) and our expected course output is a draft of our research proposal. In other words, we need to write the draft of chapters 1-3 of our beloved thesis. And yes, I'm still in 2nd year. Next semester, we'll polish the proposal and defend it. As written above, I need to prove that my proposal leads somewhere; that my proposal is worth my time and effort. And like love, I would do anything for a great thesis-except have it written by another person, that's just crazy! One should consider his/her thesis paper as his/her own baby. After all, that thesis is a product of your own labor as well as your mind. It is your own, no one could replicate-in terms of content and essence. THESIS IT! I could do this! Plus, I believe that writing a good thesis paper could help me determine what I really want for my future. I just hope I don't write my thesis like this, without any draft or revision. HAHA.

Crazy.

After the Christmas break, I experienced one of the craziest weeks in UST. Why? Let me tell you in bullets:

• Lectures! We were expecting a pretty lazy first day last Tuesday, but amazingly, three out of four of our professors went on discussing as if we only had a long weekend. And so Wednesday and Thursday went by, with professors trying to cram lessons into our jet lagged minds. Thank God, no one discussed today. HAHA.
• Work. I admit, I was not focused with my work last month. I promise myself (and my boss. HAHA) to work more efficiently starting this month.  
• Immersion News. One of my close friends from the Senior class informed me last Wednesday that our batch will not be joining them on the supposed immersion on February because of some things. Of course, it was sad because personally, I feel that will be the last time that we'll bond with them. As I have said that night, c'est la vie. I found the reason to be valid, but to base their decision upon that is unjust. Just before Theology, I was talking with Leanne and Dr. Gamo about it. Lo and behold, we're going to have our immersion, and its still in the South (of Luzon, that is). I'll be the one to have the papers processed this time, lucky me.
• Quizzes! Okay, so we had a quiz on Encyclicals for Theology, a very confusing quiz for Filipino, and a mind bending quiz for Biology. And I think the exercise we did for Research is counted as a quiz, too.
• Upcoming USTSS Elections. Kuya Marc went to our class yesterday to announce about the elections. I could feel that the candidates will be competitive, lets just hope it's a healthy one.

Best Memory of 2011

I was checking out what's trending on Twitter, then I saw the hash tag #bestmemoryof2011. Come to think of it, I can't choose one, this year's jam packed with both sweet and bittersweet memories. HAHA. So I'm listing my top 10 memories for this year.

1. CD and Bilibid Trips with USTSS. So okay, I'm neither the VP-Ex nor originally part of the CD committee, but I got involved with these projects anyway. HAHA. Being part of these things made my year extra-meaningful, and also made me appreciate my life a little more. It showed me how even the simplest things in life could bring joy to another person. I'm looking forward to more CD and Bilibid trips in the future, because I know that there's a lot more to learn in each trip. Being involved made me feel like a Sociology major more than any activity that we had this year (sorry, just being honest) and I want every Socio major to experience this as well. Tiring, but worth it.
2. Being an online delegate during ILC CDO. Oh yes, those epic 3 days that I was in front of my lappy, listening to every session and singing worship songs like everyone else in the conference. It proved that no matter where you are, He will always make His presence known to you. It doesn't matter if you don't feel the conference as long as you experience it. I managed to stay up late, tweeting lines from the conference like crazy, updating my HS babies on FB whenever a sesh or a worship would start. I feel blessed that I heard His messages, I feel blessed as an online delegate.
3. Saying YES to a greater service/mission as an ate to YFC NBHS. I still remember the day that Kitin asked me if I'd like to step up, and I said yes in an instant. If given the opportunity to travel back in time, I'd yes there and then again. It is my honor to serve HS based, my home and my family. The moment said YES to Kitin, I said YES to Him. It was a proposal from God, the sign that I was waiting for during that time. It opened a lot of opportunities, things that I have never dreamed about before. I met a bunch of awesome friends from all over the Metro, served in the MMC and went places. It was just amazing and still is. Plus the fact that I've been blessed with a great partner who is patient with me and understands me. Well, not everything is perfect (almost bankrupt, heartbreaks, failures, not giving my all, being unfaithful to my prayer time, etc.), and this is the year my brother stood up for Him. I'm looking forward to serving more and more and more, all for His Glory.
4. UST Quadricentennial Celebration. HEY! I'm studying at the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines. I'm lucky to be a quadri baby, being a frosh during the Quadricentennial season or when the University celebrated 400 years of unending grace. The concert was great, featuring alumni and guests, not to mention the pyrotechnics at the end. 
5. Valentines 2011. I also forgot to include this one! It's not special because someone gave me a rose but it's one of the best memories that I have this year because I had no idea that he'll give one. In short, I was surprised! And just to be clear, I did not assume anything then. It was sweet, but back then I know everyone's just teasing us so things can't be serious.
6. Admitting to someone that I like him. Okay, this was just awkward. I could not tell him personally, so it happened over the phone. Other than that, I'm not willing to tell any detail regarding this. HAHA. I don't regret telling him my feelings, at least I could say that I told him. After that, I never wished that I did otherwise and kept those feelings to myself (and my trusted friends). If that affected our friendship in anyway, it was a way of testing us. If it's meant to be, it will be.
7. Team Building Seminar 2011. Epic TBS is just epic! Minus the creepy humming during the 1st night and the misunderstandings, it was great! Great food, great program and great sociology family <3 Our batch got reshuffled, and so the TBS became a way for me to adjust to this change.
8. My 18th Birthday. I had no plan for my birthday. I don't believe that girl's 18th birthday is special, that's American mentality! I mean, I'll only have one 17th and 19th birthday, so why is the 18th so special? The first greeting that I heard was from Howell, I was only asleep for about 10 mins when he called. After that, it took me 30 minutes to sleep again. What made my day special was all the birthday greetings and hugs (from my friends, blockmates, professors, etc.). My senior ates even excused me in the middle of the class just to greet and hug me. I was not able to hear mass then, but I went to two churches that day, hoping to catch a mass.
9. Listening to Johnoy Danao. LIVE. TYL! I was supposed to cancel with Luis on our Moonleaf Katipunan hangout last Thursday because of my migraine. I messaged him and told him that we should push through, I needed to get a planner and I needed my dose of milk tea. I was online during lunch time when Moonleaf shared a photo of Johnoy Danao's Dapithapon Sesh, only to find out that he'll be playing at Moonleaf Katips. And oh my, I just love his voice!
10. When I decided to stay. As the year comes to an end, I decided to stay. I decided to stay in Sociology (in UST) and grow more as a person who sees things beyond the surface. I decided to stay as a friend to everyone, and to stop giving myself heartaches. And lasty, I decided to stay faithful to His promise and wait for the surprises He has in store for me.

I was telling Lyka earlier, 2011 was filled with such great memories that I have a hard time choosing the 'best' one. I guess to sum everything up, 2011 was a great year because of the opportunities and surprises that came.