Orchid-iology

Grandma just arrived from the U.S. last night and brought home lovely orchids :) Took the time taking photos of them and ended up with four photos out of hundreds. Included are flowers from the bush of orange sunflower-like...flowers (can't think of another term for flowers xD). Had no fun for the meantime and graduation is, like, in two and a half hours. Will be leaving in an hour to spend the remaining time photographing ourselves in our classroom. Yes, we're that very dramatic and attached with our batchmates. Ohlalaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah, may the event be a successful one. Ü

The Lasts and the Coincidences

We had our general rehearsal, our last rehearsal, for our graduation which will happen hours from now. We had our last Tuesday, our last Recess, our last stay in our classroom, our last Lunch time, our last stroll in the hallways, our last prayer as a batch, and the last time I'd be staying in the campus after school time.

And 'twas a mixture of emotions: happiness, sadness, regret, contentment, everything.We let out our first set of tears when we had our last prayer as a class (10-Concern, the Alpha Company). It was led by two of the talented choir members and we all sang Lead me Lord and sniffs and hiccups were echoing in that four-walled area.

Then we had our general rehearsal for later's graduation and as soon as the processional music entered our hearing, all of us had a sudden synchronized beating of the heart, evident in our expressions and heavy sighs. Then the thought of "graduating tomorrow" hit my nervous and uneasy mind. We started to dramatically (you can really feel the slowmotion-ness of the entire scenario) walk along the aisle and proceeded to our seats. Which mine's in front.

We endured the warmth and the light, with the same warmth and light that we'll be enduring later on.

And to end my last day before graduation, I spent the remaining two hours (we ended at 3:30 but I'm fetched at 5:30) chitchatting with Louise, an incoming Senior this June. I was about to tell her something important and coincidentally she's about to tell me something important too. And coincidentally, we were referring to the same person, to the same situation. We then continued our conversation and again, coincidentally, we almost had the same situation. It was as if history repeated. She experienced the same experiences as I had. Though not EXACTLY THE SAME experiences. It was then I realized that I just met the "soul sister" I had been looking for ever since last year. Someone who I can confront to with all those soap opera-like dramas. Although we met earlier in my senior year because (and ALL THANKS) to our membership in Children of Mary, we got closer just a few weeks ago, the last February week.

High school never ends. Metaphorically and literally speaking. With my aspired vocation, I'll be part of the lives of those people who'll be experiencing high school. Just as how my teachers are part of mine.

All I can say is that I'm proud and happy that I had my high school in CIC. And at 4:30 this afternoon, I shall take part in our 86th Commencement Exercises, not only as a successful honoree, not only as a proud student, not only as a victorious graduate, but also as a better person molded in my 12 years in CIC. Ü

Glamour + Modesty

The Venus Raj look-alike in our batch :D Go, Belle!

Accidentally complimentary with one of my awesome best friends \m/

Love love the food. Eat all you can. For a few, that is. :))

One of the cameras of the night.

Boomboromboomboomboromboom bass! Like a superbass!

Diligent Student Award. Love the colored-ness of the certificate. But what's with the penmanship? And the ADWARD?

Glamour and modesty, by meaning, are seemingly complete opposites. Glamour would deal with the shining shimmering splendid clichés; modesty, more on the "Less is more" concept. But that very night of March 22, 2012, these two contradicting terms became partners-in-crime for the most awaited event of every senior year: the Seniors' Bash.

A prom equivalent, this nearly-6-hour occasion welcomed the entirely transformed seniors and invited faculty members. Our bash, named Red Carpet Rendezvous, followed the concept of awards' night, with all the accommodations and preparations complementing with the theme: the red carpet, the lights, the sounds, the group of four professional photographers, and of course the awards wherein each and every one of us would receive. As much as we wanted to have the event held in a hotel, the result would be summarized in two words: HEAVIER EXPENSES. The school is a safer place and if we were to look for a comfort room, it's easier to look for one.

Many came in with the dominant color of the night: black. But aside from the color, the head-turners were mostly the ones wearing long gowns with really long trains, most especially that particular schoolmate of mine who won the Red Carpet Queen. We also acknowledged the "transformation" of some not-so-girly students. Really, all of us were so beautiful. We felt like grown-ups at that time.

A lot of notable (and noted) scenarios were unforgettable: the runway on the red carpet, the photoshoots by four "paparazzis", never forget the food, the presentations, the ever-so-awesome video about reminiscing our high school years (with yours truly as the camera-girl and scriptwriter), the picture-takings, and the fifteen-minute-long dance party.

And yeah, my feet did hurt badly. But it was fun. :)

Six hours early, six hours later

Six hours early (6 AM - 12 NN)

A shocked and confused expression from my class adviser, an embarrassing drama-like fall on the hallway, and a panicking pair of classmates welcomed my morning on the last day of the school year wherein seniors were not expected to be around (because of the previous night's event). But I had to be in school since the copies of our school paper had to be distributed to the students before they would leave.

I was pretty proud of our school paper. Well, layout editor as I am, this year's newspaper is awesome-er, I have to admit. In my opinion, that is.I, together with 10 fellow seniors, counted the copies per class and had to travel through hallways just to have the copies "delivered". And it was a successful task. Other than that, we were able to own the coated version of the school paper; the glossy magazine-type, that is.

We also planned on our yearbook, ate food, talked about the previous night and its epic scenes, love life and all the teases, and of course: graduation. Which is three friggin' days away. And I don't want to think about graduating yet.

For the whole morning, we were sleeping-eating-talking-laughing-counting in the publication office and 'twas pretty fun. Took lunch together and had to go to the nearest (and it's really really near) fast food chain - Jollibee.

Six hours later (12 NN - 6 PM)

We had to rest in the publication office after the day's work and we were fortunate since the auditorium was still closed. We had a countdown of our "last minutes" of staying and cherish the time to sleep. But we failed since we had a lot of jokes and laughs. We had a "hangover" and we just can't stop laughing, even during our walk (haha sounds as if the place is far) towards the auditorium. And we were asked to hurry since we were the ones who were waited by the others and therefore we ended up running but the laughter was still there.

We prepared ourselves and were told we would have the processional first. And of course, as conscious ladies as we are, we fixed our uniforms, hair, and the like but still couldn't get off the evil grins from our faces. And it would be scary to look at, most especially we'll be leading the batch during the processional.

The music started and the spirit of graduation filled the atmosphere. We started walking and reached our seats. Which are in front. Hit by the warm lights. And really obvious to the eyes of the audience. Well, it was a good thing though. It's an acknowledgement that one will graduate with honors. That includes me, modesty aside. :)

We practiced our Holy Mass songs, our bowing, our receiving of diplomas, our graduation song, and the recessional.Each of the class gathered up in a classroom after a 30-minute break. Our yearbook pictures were distributed, and trust me, we weren't able to recognize ourselves. In our pictures, it's either we were fatter, small-eyed, older, blue-eyed, or younger. And my picture belonged to the fifth adjective. Trust me, I looked like a sixth grader.

The entire day was a fun day, started off as an alarm clock to go to school early and ended up as a soap opera (It's quite confidential and though I'm not involved, it's still not good to blurt it out here).

Survived Physics and hello, 30-minute talk

Yesterday marked the end of our final exams and the beginning of graduation practices. And truly truly truly, they truly reserved the "best" for last. And when I say "best", I mean "Physics". Half-happy half-sarcastic, I am right now, for I still can't get over the fact that I messed up the problem solving item concerning the series-parallel connection. Don't get me wrong. Most of us had a fit about it and groaned when, after nearly one-and-a-half hour[s], we had to pass our unfinished answer sheets. Luckily I answered the additional heat transfer application and the essay ahead.

Still. The possibility that I'll probably lose 10 points (I don't know if it's worth 10 points but anyway, it's still a huge number) is still not getting out of my head. Plus the fact that we'll be knowing our exam results next week (big thanks for being a graduating student -_____-) and I will cover my ears and eyes away from the announcing and looking at our scores.

But then, I have to face it. And it's ironic how much I hated Physics at that very moment (just that item, nothing more nothing less) and I'll be taking up a course with that field as my major.

And speaking of course, had a bonding time with a close friend, Louise, who will also take the same course as mine. Coincidental, I say.

Helped her with the trigonometry assignment of hers which was quite a piece of cake. Well, for me, it is, since we'd been talking about trigonometry for, like, the whole school year. And helped her with carrying all Mathematics 9 IW compilations from her teacher's (who was my Chemistry teacher last school year) classroom to the faculty room, and that marked the beginning of our 30-minute talk with Louise and Mr. Javier regarding Math 9. We've been talking about the exercises, the quizzes, and all that stuff. And then, my mouth blabbed "Sir, are your books from college still alive?" Yeah, I know the question is nonsensical but you know what I mean. But that was not the reason why he was surprised. He then asked the course I'll be taking, and when I mentioned it, he was jumping for joy. Literally.

We talked (with Louise of course since she'll be taking up Physics-Math too, after surviving senior year next school year) about it and then, my class adviser slash Physics teacher arrived and Mr. Javier proudly told her about my course and she of course responded with the fact that she knew about it already. He then revealed to us, Louise and I, that they've been waiting for that one student, from our school as a product of their teaching as they would put it, who'll be taking the same major as theirs.

With all the experiences shared by him (and of course the things other teachers, who took up same major, told me), I just can imagine my life there, in the university where I'll be studying. And the words "opportunities" still kept on playing on my head since he said that a teacher job is a secured job since every year, schools and universities are demanding for new teachers. And of course, teacher is a noble work. There's no teacher alive (or dead perhaps? Haha) that would take the course for money. Have to admit, teacher's salary is quite small compared to that of other professions, which somehow shows injustice to the part of the teachers. Teaching is not a very easy task.

Anyway, Saturday today. Grabbed the opportunity to post an entry here. Will be finishing the LAST academic work, our Technology in Livelihood Education (TLE) evaluation form about conducting hot oil and facial treatment to a patron. Yeaaaaah, facial treatment is lacking on my paperwork and will be doing it this afternoon with my mom. Deadline will still be next Friday but I'm avoiding procrastination right now and will pass on Monday :D

That's all for now, I guess. :)

FINALS

I'm loaded with unfinished projects, paperwork compilations, and the upcoming Periodicals which will be starting tomorrow.

Life of a graduating student is hard, I tell you. But after this week, we'll be totally free of anything and everything except for the heart-stricken exam results and all-day graduation practices.

Well, back to work Ü

Dancing fingers

 

Michelle on the piano :)

Audrey on the piano :)

Me on the piano :)

It was already 3:55 PM when I arrived in school and rushed towards the Music Department instead of the recital venue for me to practice with three of my other classmates/co-recitalists. Out of fear and total nervousness, we hid ourselves from the views of the audience, other recitalists, and our Special Music teachers. We had a little chitchat and ended up with the topic about our class adviser being there in the venue already. And yeah, the word SHOCKED was written on our faces.

We decided to go to the venue of the recital until Audrey asked me to go with her to the comfort room. So, the four of us separated: Audrey and I, and Michelle and Shalom (the one who invited our class adviser). Thereafter, we entered Mary's Little Theatre and sat at the back part which eased our nervous selves for a while since the air con didn't affect our hands (hands will be cold and therefore cannot play properly). After a few moments when the number was close to ours, Audrey and I transferred to the white chairs by the right aisle of the theatre and sat there. Shalom was seated in front of us and pointed something at the back. When I turned my head, there I spotted my Biology teacher! Alleluiah finally she made it! I invited her last year yet she wasn't able to come and there she was, sitting and waving at me. Awesome teacher is awesome \m/ And surprisingly she sat beside my adviser. BFFs. Hahahahaha :)

My number was reaaaaally near (#33) and my hands started to get cold. Audrey and I rubbed our hands together to create heat but no use.

I was able to play my first piece (Organ Prelude #6 by Bach). Though I knew deep inside me I committed mistakes in my playing, everyone still commented it was perfectly played, most especially my Music teacher who told me that the mistakes weren't clearly heard.

I went up onstage when it was my turn again to play (#37) and I was able to hear murmurs about "hey, didn't she play awhile ago? is she going to replay her piece?" something like that. But I think somehow, modesty aside, my second piece, Agitato by Mendelssohn, wowed the audience and had their jaws dropped. I had several mistakes, I know. But I continued playing because if I would stop, I would really forget.

The recital ended with huge smiles and vain camera-captured faces. We were congratulating each other, giving out hugs and smiles.

It was an awesome afternoon, most especially the camera moments after the recital. Tomorrow is the start of our last week of school since next week will be our finals (oh noooooooo!) and after our finals will be days of practices for graduation. I hope everything will be alright. Ü

A musician must remember that the quality of his music doesn't depend on how advanced he is, but relies on how he interprets it.

Music Recital

Music Recital 2012 invitation Ü

33rd and 37th to play Ü

This afternoon, I will be in school again (yesterday, we had our COM reception in the morning) in the afternoon for our Annual Music Recital. All special music students (studying piano, guitar, violin, organ, and voice) will perform as part of the "curriculum" instilled in this kind of class. This is the third time I'll be joining the recital (first, when I was in first year; second, last year, and third, now) and also the third time to be
second-to-the-last to play. :)

I had a problem yesterday regarding my recital dress and I started to window-shop in Ayala (after our Economics project making) for gowns and sandals and etc., but in the end, I bought nothing. As soon as I arrived home, I was planning on wearing the dress I wore during last year's recital but my mom contradict (I also contradict with the idea since it would be not-so-good to wear something that was worn last year....repeatedly) and she let me use her dress during her high school JS prom (I know it's about three decades old) but seriously, the style? IT'S AWESOME! It's like the usual gowns I've seen that is part of the fashion trend.

Nervousness is all over me. Not only because the venue will be full of parents, siblings, students, and other visitors, but also because my classmate and fellow recitalist invited our class adviser. And Audrey (my IP partner who will also play), another classmate, and I had horrified faces when we knew about it. It was also a shock from yesterday. I practiced my pieces in the venue and just as Michelle (the "another classmate") and I were about to exit, the door opened, and there stood my class adviser and the one-who-invited-her. We were soooooo horrified! Not because she's a ghost or something. It was just surprising. And then Michelle and I came to a conclusion that the-one-who-invited-her somehow "dragged" our adviser to hear me play. She even convinced me to play again but I said "I'll ruin the surprise for tomorrow." And somehow she agreed.

Anyway, my Biology teacher will also be watching and it's coincidental that she's somehow best friends with my class adviser. And I think the two will be going to school together to watch. But anyway, nuff said.

I will be posting pictures later on. Ta-ta for now Ü

Words left me speechless

Though this week was loaded with hectic paperworks and incoming-deadline projects, yesterday till today lifted our burdened selves for a while. We followed the Friday schedule yesterday; hence, subjects would be in the morning and in the afternoon, the student body would be watching the Ars Poetica and the Speechfest prepared by the students and faculty members.

And had last-minute assignment of the school publication (Blue and White) photographers. Since our photographers were already overused, as having the authority to lead the school publication artists and photojournalists, I assigned myself, a third year student and a second year student. My co-Layout Editor also had the photography assignment but for CAT. It was good to be a photographer for the organization again. :)

It was our schedule yesterday to watch the Speechfest. Everything was totally amazing, most especially the interpretation of Harry Potter 7 by the second year students. VOLDEMORT WAS AWESOME, I TELL YOU! \m/

Earlier today, we were able to watch Ars Poetica and heck, the poems were a lot better than those during the previous Ars Poetica presentations. The poems were more substantial, and though metaphors and flowering words were used, we were still able to capture the message instilled. And what made us gave a standing-ovation-like uproar was the poem recited by my former Chemistry teacher who is a Math teacher now, Mr. Nigel Javier, and my current Physics teacher and homeroom/class adviser, Ms. Jessica Pulvera. Man and Woman. It was a jaw-dropping piece! It's something sort of a "debate" about being a man and being a woman. The atmosphere was totally full of suspense and defenses. Here's the poem:

Man and Woman by Victor Hugo

Man is the most elevated of creatures, Woman the most sublime of ideals.
God made for man a throne; for woman an altar.
The throne exalts, the altar sanctifies.
Man is the brain, Woman, the heart.
The brain creates light, the heart, Love. Light engenders, Love resurrects.
Because of reason Man is strong, because of tears Woman is invincible.
Reason is convincing, tears moving.
Man is capable of all heroism, Woman of all martyrdom.
Heroism ennobles, martyrdom sublimates.
Man has supremacy, Woman, preference.
Supremacy is strength, preference is the right.
Man is a genius, Woman, an angel.
Genius is immeasurable, the angel undefinable.
The aspiration of man is supreme glory,
The aspiration of woman is extreme virtue.
Glory creates all that is great; virtue, all that is divine.
Man is a code, Woman a gospel.
A code corrects, the gospel perfects.
Man thinks, Woman dreams.
To think is to have a worm in the brain,
to dream is to have a halo on the brow.
Man is an ocean, Woman a lake.
The ocean has the adorning pearl, the lake, dazzling poetry.
Man is the flying eagle, Woman, the singing nightingale.
To fly is to conquer space. To sing is to conquer the Soul.
Man is a temple, Woman a shrine.
Before the temple we discover ourselves, before the shrine we kneel.
In short, man is found where earth finishes, woman where heaven begins.

It was one of the best poems recited during the Ars Poetica. Other than Man and Woman, I also adore the poem recited by our student council president, which is a famous Francesco Petrarch poem: Love's Inconsistency.

Love's Inconsistency by Francesco Petrarch

I find no peace, and all my war is done
I fear and hope, I burn and freeze likewise
I fly above the wind, yet cannot rise
And nought I have, yet all the world I seize on
That looseth, nor locketh, holdeth me in prison
And holds me not, yet can I 'scape no wise
Nor lets me live, nor die, at my devise
And yet of death it giveth none occasion
Without eyes I see, and without tongue I plain
I wish to perish, yet I ask for health
I love another, and yet I hate myself
I feed in sorrow, and laugh in all my pain
Lo, thus displeaseth me both death and life
And my delight is causer of my grief

The other poem I also liked was recited by a fellow senior who was also the president of the another class. She recited a truly magnificent Maya Angelou poem: Phenomenal Woman.

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

There was another poem, but interpreted in our dialect (Cebuano). According to the introductory statement of the poem, it was written by a Cebuano poet whose works are known in other countries and his Cebuano poems were also published locally. I forgot the name; all I remember is that he is a CIC graduate and a father of a current student in school. The poem is about a teacher who is somehow a bit crazy. And it was totally hilarious! Most especially the last line! :))))

My apologies for not showing any pictures during the event since the pictures are considered "school property" and must not be used, especially online, freely. I hope my experience and the poems I included in this blog entry will somehow satisfy you, as of now. :)

Sojourn in the Mountains

 The week started with an enormous adventure out of the school halls: to the mountains. As part of our CLF class and CES line of activities, we were to be exposed to those who are living far away from tall buildings, bright lights, and leisure. Far away from the city proper. And we were welcomed in our exposure site: Kang-atis.

We assembled in the covered parking area of our school by 7 AM and left the school premises on a 4-wheeler truck that holds three persons by the front seat (the driver, our homeroom/class adviser, and a personnel member) while 29 of us, out of 47 (three didn't join us) sat at the back part of the truck. Three vans from three of my classmates were joining us, having the rest of the 18 people ride there.

The whole 1 and a half hours of travel was a complete blissful experience, most especially the strong wind blowing on our faces since the back of the truck was open. It was fortunate for me to sit near the opening of the back part. And what was more hilarious was our misunderstood interpretation of our faces after several bumps on the road which really caused us to hop on our seats and hurt our butts. Though it was a bit scary, our screams overcame our fears. It was epic!

Then we arrived and had to go to the nearest comfort room. Thereafter, we gathered in pairs and each pair was assigned with a kid who would lead us to his/home. It was a 30-minute walk for us since we had to climb steep mountains and it was horrible! I slipped twice and had ruined by slippers but walking on barefoot was way better. And my partner and I enjoyed the company of the family assigned to us and had a wonderful lunch with them.

By 1:40 PM, we had to leave and fortunately it was easier for me to go down than to go up. Yes, and my partner had a hard time going down. We're completely opposite, yeah. 

View of the road from the opening at the back part of the truck

Running into the woods

Twilight-like

Dora dora dora the exploreeeeeer!

The environment was mesmerizing. Totally green. There were a lot of trees and grasses and flowers. I was even thinking that I was in that forest scene in Twilight. The road may be bumpy to walk on, but that's nature.

Then, we had another bumpy ride after an hour of waiting for the rest to load into the truck and vans. Left Kang-atis with beaming smiles and heavy loads since the families gave us coconuts, bananas, plants, vegetables, fruits, corn, and the like. It was really touching. :)

Exposure in Kang-atis was one of the most unforgettable experiences I have in my last year in high school and these experiences really made a great impact in my life.