Lesson of the Week: Don't be Judgmental

Have you ever judged a person simply because of his or her physical appearance?

There is some point in our lives when we become judgmental. We easily tend to judge others by looking at how they walk, talk, sit, stand, eat, and dress. We immediately make conclusions and assumptions towards people even if we really don't know them. Am I right?

Last Sunday, my friend asked me to watch a video of Susan Boyle in You Tube. When I saw her, I thought that she was just like the other ridiculous contestants who joined American Idol, because she looked very different. The audience were laughing at her and making funny faces too while she was introducing herself. By the way, she joined the singing contest, Britain's Got Talent and not American Idol.

(This is Susan Boyle before [left] and after a major makeover [right])

Like Simon Cowell and the others, I was really surprised when I heard her sing a song from Les Miserables. She was so amazing! She even got a standing ovation from the judges. It was an "incredible performance". A star is born!

May this serve as a lesson for everyone. As the old saying goes, never judge a book by its cover.

I'm glad she had a major makeover though. :D

*Photo retrieved from http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/thatsreallyweek/45342/april20-27-fests-lies-and-videotape/*

Summer Getaway

Before the end of the school year, most of my classmates' status in YM and blogs in Multiply were about going to the beach. They described how the beach gives them a relaxing feeling whenever they walk on the sand, swim, eat, take pictures, and simply enjoy. They've been to Boracay, Palawan, La Union, Calatagan, and the like. They are so lucky because they get to visit these wonderful places around the Philippines. Everytime I look at their pictures in Multiply and Facebook, I always tell myself, "Haay, sana ako rin.." v(",)v

I just came from Calatagan, Batangas today and now I know why my classmates love the beach so much. Cheska, Lo, Maryse, Mye, Nikki, Raymund, Tasha, and I enjoyed the whole afternoon swimming with the waves and taking wacky pictures. Of course, we also loved eating the food that Tita Sol (Raymund's mom) cooked for us. I had a great time collecting shells and beach rocks as well.

(These are the shells and the rocks that I collected and my slippers. :D )

On our way there, it was raining hard so we thought that we would not enjoy the day. However, when we arrived at our destination, it suddenly stopped raining and the sun welcomed us as soon as we hit the beach. I'm really thankful to God because He gave us a sunny day. Because of the heat of the sun, my skin is a little bit darker. I've got tan lines! ;)

(The beach of Calatagan, Batangas. :D)

My trip to Calatagan with my college friends is a truly memorable one. I'm definitely happy because my parents allowed me to go. My summer this year has never been this goooood. :D

*P.S. I will post more pictures soon!*

Open Happiness

Every Sunday noon, I always watch ASAP 09 because of Enchong Dee. He is my schoolmate in La Salle and I only see him very often. I usually see him at the swimming team's tambayan (he is a member of the swimming varsity), SJ walk, or Yuchengco lobby. And when he passes by, I can't help but notice the girls silently giggle or smile dreamily. Oh yes, he is the man.

Our school is known for having celebrity students. Enchong is one of them. However, even if they are celebrities, they are treated as "normal students". They never get special treatment from the professors which I think is fair enough. And I realized that school is the place where they can be themselves because there are no screaming fans and flashy cameras around. As a matter of fact, I saw Enchong having fun with his team mates some months ago. He was dancing like no one is watching! Don't get me wrong. It just happened that I volunteered to accompany my friend, Lo. We went to Yuchengco lobby on purpose because we wanted to take a look at the t-shirts and other I Am Ninoy accessories. And there he was (their tambayan is near the Yuch lobby). Haay, he really got my attention and I totally forgot about the I Am Ninoy t-shirts, pins, and shades. He was so funny.

I have a lot of encounters with Enchong in school but I never had the guts to approach him. Even if we are like 1 cm away from each other, I just look at him or walk away. I don't know. But, after those encounters, I proudly tell my friends that one day, he will become my friend.

On the 27th day of March 2009, my dream finally became a reality in a way. I was in school because our class was required to attend a plenary session for INTOECO. During the plenary session, Claude and Karlene informed me that they saw Enchong inside the William theatre, hosting an event. After our plenary, I went to William theatre because Karlene asked me to go there. The event was almost finished when I arrived.

To cut the long story short, when the event ended, Karlene introduced me to Enchong (thank you Karlene for making it happen!) and I shook his hand (it's really soft..haha). It was an unforgettable day for me. As soon as Karlene finished taking our picture, Enchong and I had a little conversation for about 2-3 minutes. That precious period of time is one of the happiest moment of my life! We talked about school stuff. He told me that he just finished his practicum, and he's graduating on June. He also mentioned that the event was their final requirement for this subject and he was so happy because it was successful. On the other hand, I asked him if he knows Caroline, the "founder" of Only Enchong Dee (he said, "Oo naman!" with a smile), and I told him that I came from our INTOECO plenary session. Surprisingly, I was able to talk to him with confidence, even if I haven't had combed my hair. After our conversation, I thanked him and shook his hand again. We walked towards Karlene and they had their little conversation as well. They know each other since she took a picture of him for Ang Pahayagang Plaridel before. By the way, APP is the school's newspaper written in Filipino.

Many girls like Enchong because he is good looking and a very talented person. But I believe that he is more than his good looks and talents. Beyond the walls of showbusiness, he is definitely like us, the "ordinary people". Like us, he dreams big, loves his family and friends, and values education. Hence, I admire him because he has these qualities.

We may be acquaintances as of the moment, but I'm still hoping that we will become friends someday. And when that day comes, I'll be the happiest girl in the whole world.

I am writing this entry because I am not yet over with our little conversation, and I saw him on TV a while ago. As soon as I turned on the TV, he was right infront of me, talking about the Open Coke, Open Happiness campaign with Shaina and Kim. I was not really expecting to see him first. Then after a while, the Gigger Boys (his group) danced. Oh well, I think this is a good sign.

Haay, I hope he still remembers me.

New Look and Random Updates

Well, I finally changed the template/layout of my blog. It looks very different now. Thanks to Blogbulk.

On the other hand, our finals week is officially over. I'm free from schoolworks so I can sleep in peace. What I want to do this summer break is to go to San Francisco and Los Angeles to visit my cousins. I miss them so much! And I want to see the Golden Gate Bridge and Hollywood. If only my aunt and dad would fix my Visa... HAHAHA.

(This picture was taken Christmas 2007: Luisa, Dana, and Cente)

I'm currently loving the new song of Hale, Sandali na Lang. It is giving me the last song syndrome. Also, its video reminds me of fun summer days at the beach. Summer mode! v(",)v

Sandali Na Lang - Hale

Photoblog

Instead of cropping the pictures, I decided to make a photoblog! It is like an online scrapbook. I love it because it's much easier to do, more creative, and more colorful.

February 12 was a really good day. After class, I spent my free time with Armine, Anne, Kathy, and Mela, my other friends from CED. We stayed at the Sports Plaza where Mau was manning the booth. While we were sitting on the edge of the plant boxes, Mau got her camera, and she took pictures of us. I like the shots! Fun times, good vibes! HAHA.

I really had a great time with them! Well, the pictures say it all. v(",)v

Of Harana and Roses

On the day of February 12, 2009, I was able to feel the spirit of Valentines. When our ECEDEVA class had just ended, the DLSU Chorale members (2 guys and 1 girl) knocked on the door of our classroom. They walked towards the platform, and one of them began playing his guitar. Taking it as a cue, the girl sang a song while the other guy read a very meaningful note. I felt the goosebumps all over my arm as I listened to the both of them.

My friend Icca did something special this day. She asked the DLSU Chorale members to sing for us. She also gave us red roses. It was really a super sweet gesture.

I am very happy and thankful that I've got friends like Icca, Mye, Mau, Lo, Kat, Maryse, Nikki, Ocha, Cheska, Trish, and Sab. You guys are the reason why I enjoy college life so much! Thank you college loves! And I'm looking forward to more fun moments with you. v(",)v

I know this is a super late post, but it's better late than never. v(",)v

(P.S. Our professor in ECEDEVA, Ms. Claudette Tandoc, is in the picture too. She is the second girl with a bag from the right side.)

Plain Non-Sense or Not

Today, while taking a break from doing the curriculum content for ECEDCUR, I took one quiz in Facebook about Harry Potter. I found out that I belong to Gryffindor and I'm Hermione Granger. Of course, I was very glad because I really wanted to be in the same house, where my favorite Harry Potter characters stay during their school days. On the other hand, I felt a little bit flattered because I've never thought that I would be like Hermione. I don't totally consider myself as studious as her.

Anyway, I don't know if you can relate to this post, but as the title says, this is just plain non-sense. I'm still mending a broken mind because I haven't slept normally for the past few weeks. I feel that my mind isn't working properly recently, and I need some time to gain my full energy back. Honestly, our third term in La Salle is the most stressful so far.

Oh well, two more days to go and the sleepless nights would be over.

This coming school break, I am challenging myself to become a better blogger. I will update as much as I can AND try my best to post more interesting stuff. I promise to make my summer vacation more productive and memorable this year. v(",)v

Almost...

There is a reason to celebrate because our "hell week" is over! However, we will still have our finals after the Holy Week so we are not officially on vacation. And there are some papers that we need to finish. But I think that our workloads this time are way better than before.

Right now, I'm looking forward to our trip in Calatagan on April 23! I'm excited because it is my first time to visit a beach, and hang-out with my friends outside the borders of Manila. I'm so thankful because my parents allowed me to go. And for this reason, I'm inspired to study even harder. v(",)v

Enjoy your summer vacation, people!