After Midterms What’s Next?

At last, midterms have long passed and gone. This midterm week wasn’t that stressful at all and the exams were quite easy. They seem easy for me but I’m not sure if I fared that well. But it’s a good thing that I got a good score in my NCM 102 – RLE (medical-surgical nursing) because my prelim exams, both in RLE and lecture, were bloody (lots of wrong answers and red X-marks)! But as expected, with the good comes the bad. My lecture exam is missing! I thought that my clinical instructor was joking but oh my God, the world came twirling around and I fainted! Well, I didn’t really faint. But for a person who lost his exam and who is uncertain if he passed or failed, I seem quite relaxed actually. Thank God for my come-what-may attitude because if I keep on obsessing about my grade I might actually become a patient at Davao Medical Center – Psychiatric Department.

Right now I am in relaxed mode but ready to face the challenge that my chosen profession may throw at me. Char. I have learned so much from this week. I have learned that I am actually a morning person than a night person; I learn more and retain more when I study in the morning than at night. Also, to pass medical-surgical nursing I need to borrow the great war plan: divide-and-conquer! I need to study and read ahead before the semi-finals if I really want to pass.

Goodbye Xavier, Liceo Here I Come

“Goodbye Xavier, Liceo here I come,” a normal phrase from nursing students of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan who have a sense of impending doom. It has been a tradition in the College of Nursing to have a lot (half of the population) of third year students fail in NCM 102 (Medical-Surgical Nursing). And if they do fail, they have two options to choose from. One, they become “off-sem” or they don’t go to school until NCM 102 is offered again to students. Second is the very difficult and heart-wrenching decision to transfer to another school.

All my life as a nursing student, I have been constantly challenged to put my gameface on and do my best to excel because I have to live to the expectations of being an Atenean, a student nurse from Xavier University. We are invigorated whenever a clinical instructor (CI) reminds us and says, “This is Xavier University, if you can’t live up to its standards, then you better transfer to another school.” This may sound harsh but it only shows that our CI’s care for us and they don’t want us to fail. I have a lot of CI’s who I really look up too because they are the ones who I want to be someday. Like my CI’s I want to be a graduate of Xavier University and be a pure blooded Atenean nurse who is committed, competent, compassionate, and a good conscience.

I remember my clinical instructor, whom I idolize, telling the class that we shouldn’t cheat because we are only degrading our intelligence, because every one of us has the capacity to excel because we are all intelligent, if we wouldn’t be then we wouldn’t have been accepted at Xavier. And this is quite true because out of 1000 plus applicants from around the Philippines, only a few are chosen, around 400. The XU College of Nursing does not accept transferees from other schools and second coursers. This may be because having a small number of students would provide an environment conducive for learning and so that the famed 100% passing rate in the board exams tradition won’t be discontinued. One of the greatest fears of nursing students from Xavier is that they will be the one to break the record of having a 100% passing rate because ever since the College of Nursing opened, all of its batches have graduated with a 100% passing rate. As my clinical instructor would say, “The problem is not passing the board, but topping it.” It's no wonder why Xavier is recognized as a Center of Exellence in Nursing.

I am proud to say that I am a student nurse from Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan. But sadly I would be transferring to another school next semester. Fortunately I’m not transferring to any other school in Cagayan de Oro, thank God! I’m not transferring because I failed, I got kicked out, or I can’t afford to go to school anymore. I’m transferring because I’m moving away somewhere this coming April or May and I don’t want to say where for now. But even if I transfer to another school, I would always be an Atenean at heart. I have been studying at Xavier University since high school and it’s very unfortunate that I can’t graduate as an Atenean nurse. But I will continue to practice what I believe in and all that I have learned during my formation as an Atenean.

Asus Eee vs Acer Aspire 4315

It was my mom who texted me one day and told me of the existence of this laptop. My mom said that it was small and it was a very nice laptop. I was at first skeptical about the said laptop and decided to do some research about this wonder laptop called the Asus Eee PC.

I would have to say that for a small laptop it actually has very good features. And you would get these features at a very small cost. So how much will it (Asus Eee PC 701) retail in the Philippines? 17,999 pesos! At the said price, it is actually cheaper than the announced price of USD $399, if converted using 44 pesos to a dollar. It’s cheaper to get the Asus Eee PC here in the Philippines!

But don’t get your hopes up yet guys. Just check it’s specifications so that you can judge for yourself what this so-called Asus Eee really is:

· Processor: Intel Celeron M ULV 900MHz

· Graphics: Integrated Intel GMA 900 GPU

· Storage: 4GB of Flash-based storage (SSD) (there is also an 8GB version)

· Memory: 512MB of DDR2 RAM (667MHz)

· OS: Xandros Linux (Asus customized, preloaded with OpenOffice, Skype, and google applications)

· Screen: 7-inch screen with 800 x 480 resolution

· Ports: 3 USB 2.0, 1 VGA monitor out, headphone jack, microphone input, SD card reader (SDHC compatible), Kensington lock slot, Ethernet 10/100

· Webcam (0.3 MP)

· Battery: 4-cell 5200 mAh 7.4V Li-Ion (rated at 3.5 hours)

· Wireless: 802.11b/g Atheros

· Input: Keyboard and Touchpad

· Weight: approximately 2 lbs with battery, 2.5 lbs travel weight with AC adapter.

· Two-year warranty

In my opinion, the Asus Eee Notebook would be a great toy for children. It is also a very good laptop for students and people who will only use it for research and word processing works. Don’t expect to play games in this PC or be able to install programs like Windows XP and Photoshop with the very limited 8GB storage memory.

It’s a good thing that I researched the specifications of this laptop first rather than quickly agreeing to get this laptop. Although Asus is a well respected brand, it’s specs doesn’t suit me at all.

So I’m still hanging on to my dream of getting that Acer Aspire 4315 with much better specs but for a much higher price of course. But the Acer Aspire is pretty much worth it with these specs:

• Intel® Celeron® M Processor 530SR (1.73GHz, 1MB Cache, 533MHz FSB)
• Mobile Intel® GL960 Express chipset with integrated 3D graphics, featuring Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) X3100, up to 358 MB of Intel DVMT 4.0 (8 MB of dedicated, up to 350 MB of shared system memory), supporting Microsoft® DirectX® 9.0
• 14.1" Wide XGA CrystalBrite (200 nit) Color LCD supports 1280 x 800 pixel resolution and dual display via Acer GridVista
• 80GB SATA HDD
• 1GB DDR2 RAM
• Integrated 56Kbps modem & 10/100 Mbps LAN
• Integrated 802.11b/g Wireless LAN
• Integrated DVD/CD-RW combo drive
• Two built-in Acer 3DSonic stereo speakers
• 6-cell Li-Ion Battery Pack (2.0 hours battery life)
• 3xUSB, 1xVGA port, ExpressCard/54 slot, S-video/TV-out (NTSC/PAL) port
• 344 (W) × 246 (D) × 37/42 (H) mm
• Weight 2.6kg
• 1-Year International Traveler Warranty
• Acer Designed Carrying Bag
• Genuine Microsoft Windows XP OS

For Php 32,000 the Acer Aspire 4315 is a great buy indeed!

Blogging Boom

It has recently occurred to me that the number of bloggers has actually grown and that blog sites are popping like mushrooms everywhere. For those who don’t know what a blog is, it is like an online diary or a site where you post your reviews, thoughts, pictures, videos, and whatever media you my have.

As a friend of mine commented, people are going Adsense addicts. Adsense by the way is a great new product by Google that allows you to earn money by allowing ads to flash on your webpage. The more page impressions or clicks and referrals to those ads, the more money you own. Unfortunately on my part, I only get around 10 people who visit my blog every day and this would earn me only a few cents. But hey I did already earned around $6 since last year. This is a great feat for an amateur personal blogger as my self.

But I am quite impressed by the blogs of my friends. Their blogs have such substance that makes my blog seem so shallow and all, but hey it’s a personal blog after all right? I can post anything I want no matter how boring it is. But seeing those blogs of my friends poses a great challenge to me. I will improve my blog, not just to earn more money but for personal satisfaction too. Maybe once in a while I’ll place my reviews on gadgets, movies, or whatsoever because my friend said that reviews tend to get more viewers.

Anyway here are some blogs of friends and contacts that really caught my attention:

1. http://republikaneri.blogspot.com/
2. http://laytech.blogspot.com/
3. http://kirbitz.blogspot.com/
4. http://mikekrismac.blogsome.com/
5. http://yu-rico.blogspot.com/
   

My First Surgical Case

I am quite lucky to have been able to have my first surgical case at Xavier University Community Health Care Center. I was able to scrub in an excision or removal of a fibroadenoma at the left breast. A fibroadenoma is actually a sort of cyst or mass in the breast. It's actually benign so there was nothing to worry about. I was fortunate to have worked with such an intelligent, skillful, and understanding surgeon. The surgeon has showed me great surgical techniques that I thought I would only see on TV. It was amazing that I actually helped him do those procedures. Actually he could have done it himself. I wasn't really that helpful. Like it was my first time to scrub-in and it really took some time for me to think of what to do next. Dr. Perez was very understanding and he really helped in guiding me what to do. He must have empathized with me since he was also a nurse. He is actually still very young for a talented surgeon. I really had a difficulty in addressing him because I keep on calling him sir instead of doctor. Always remember to call doctors doctor because it is a bit degrading to be called sir because sir is only for male nurses and patients. Its a complex world of medical professionals. Anyway it was quite embarassing when I broke my sterility (that's the absence of microorganisms) but I won't say how because people might use it against me in the court of law. Hehehe. But my mistake wasn't that bad and the operating room nurse was kind enough to let me of the hook that time. The operating room is very amazing. Kind of like a magical place. Imagine in the morning I had to work in the ward and them in the operating room in the afternoon. I was so tired and I wanted to go home but once I entered the operating room adrenaline rush swept all over my body as an operation was actually already begun. It was a shame that I wasn't able to take pictures of the operation but we actually didn't think of taking pictures that time. We had several minor operations and each operation was like a new experience. If I were given a choice to choose where I would specialize, I would definitely say the operating room.

Filipino CEO Sex Scandal

It's quite amazing how this keywords could attract so many readers. Like I've read in some blog that the words sex scandal could really attract people to your blog or website. If you did open this blog because of the said keywords then the statistics must be true. What is it with human beings and they find something controversial very interesting and amusing. Maybe human beings are just finding ways to spice up their lives with things that are out of the ordinary like sex scandals. If people had enough time and their own private place, camera, and girlfriends/boyfriends then I guess we would have an abundant supply of sex scandals because people would do the things that are forbidden to fulfill one's curiousity and to stir up one's boring routines that we call life. I think that all of us have thought of doing something wrong just to see what happens. Imagine slapping your teacher. Isn't it interesting to find out their reactions? Maybe we provoke to feel that we truly exist. I don't know with others but this is just my idea why people do stupid things.

Goodbye Laptop

I had mixed emotions when my mom texted me one day and told me that our installment plan for my laptop was accepted. I was supposed to get an Acer Aspire 4315! Like it had 1 GB of RAM already and it already has a pre-installed Genuine XP! What a sweet deal! Naturally I would be ecstatic and all because I could already get my laptop anytime in that week. But all my hopes and expectations were washed down the drain when she told me that we needed a co-buyer that was a close relative. One would say that that wasn't a big deal at all. But in my case it is a big deal. My mom's relatives are all in Manila. My dad's relatives are here but the only one's living near the city can't even afford to support themselves, how in the world can they become co-buyers of a techno stuff that they would have to work for for several years to be able to barely afford the downpayment. Don't get me wrong, my dad does have successful sisters but they live so far away, one is in Cebu and the other is in California. Actually the store was happy enough to allow my mom to have her officemate co-sign the contract. Her officemate was actually very willing to be a co-buyer, God bless her. Everything was going smoothly and even fast but unfortunately my mom's husband had to get in the way of my dream. He is such a disappointment and I bluntly say that I am ashamed to have him as a father. Like who in their right mind would tell a credit officer that we had plans of leaving the country? He even showed the credit inspector my mom's text telling him not to say anything stupid like what he just said. He talked like a stupid parrot telling the credit officer that my mom gives post-dated checks, which isn't true, and even told the credit officer that my mom had plans of early retirement. Who in their right mind would allow us to purchase anything if we weren't financially stable. The fact is we are financially stable but my stupid father had to open his big mouth and destroyed our reputation. So right now my dreams and all my plans for my laptop are gone. To think that I could have used the laptop to simplify my study life. But all of that is gone now. My mom told me not to be depressed and all because there are a lot of stores but that atore had the laptop which I really wanted and I would have to prolong the anguish and agony of obsessing about that freaky laptop. Grr! How hard it is to convince me that it's just a stupid piece of wires and chips but what can I do, I've been waiting and expecting too long already for that laptop to materialize but then all of the sudden poof! It disappeared like that. How much longer do I have to wait! I do understand my mom but I still blame my dad for ruining it for me.

IVF Fan

Presenting the "IVF Fan: A quick reference for students and busy nurses plus a way to cool off in the ward!"

This is a project that I made. Our clinical instructor (CI) told us to use Intravenous Fluid (IVF) bottles and be creative in making a quick reference thingy. It was really fun racing each other to complete collecting 6 types of IVF. We really got down and dirty and searched every IVF bucket we could find. It was a great experience but I wouldn't want to do it again cause it's very draining. ^_^

New Year in the Hospital

Who would have thought that I'd be spending my New Year's Day in the hospital because of Tonsillitis? Yup that's right, I was hospitalized for having too much chocolates. So if you want me to die, send me lots and lots of chocolates. Don't worry I'll be sure to eat it, it will be a slow and painful death...

The first 2 days were fine because I had my assignments to keep me busy (I hate the Nursing-student life). But the last 2 days were agonizing! The boredom just drives me crazy! I thought that I should just study to spend some time but then my laptop obsession turned up and I was so excited and frustrated because the future of my laptop is so dim. I hate it when my expectations aren't met.

Anyway, this is my second time to be admitted in the hospital. I couldn't remember my first time because I was so young back then but I remember every moment in the hospital right now. My admitting doctor was very nice and it's all thanks to her excellent clinical eye and medical management that I was feeling better on the second day already. I had fever up to 40 degrees Celcius and I was suffering from chills due to my super inflamed tonsils that had already started to have pus. It's not a good picture people. I'm very prone to tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and all mouth diseases so I tend to stay from dirty foods but why do I still get tonsillitis?!

It really feels nice when I'm injected with my antibiotics through my IV line, it feels so cool. I just hate it thought when people comes into my room every four hours even in the crack of dawn but my nurses and even wardmen are very nice. I also like my room, i really felt that I was in a hotel and I'll just ring the bell if I wanted anything. My bathroom was also clean so I really didn't have any complain about it.

I have been discharged now and I feel like a million dollar (wonder why I used this cliche). Good thing too that I stayed at a company owned hospital because oh my, the bill was very expensive. As the saying goes, "Mahirap magkasakit". Translation: Don't ever get sick because you'll just get worst when you see the bill.

On Exchanging Links

If you want to exchange links, please do not hesitate to inform me by placing a comment at my chat box or in any of my posts. You may also e-mail me at vincentb88@gmail.com for your exchange link request.

You may also add this button to your site as a link:

Here is the code :

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If you want you could also add my other blog, MY NURSE'S NOTES

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Reset Button

Who would have thought that I would get sick during the holiday. Yup I am so sick. I have fever and possibly pharyngitis (again). I just hate being sick, but then it's a good excuse to delay studying and doing other school stuff because of the reason: I'm sick. ^_^

But again I won't slack of because my grades are not so good. Lost my scholarship already and I'm not prepared to fail cause I promised my self I won't.

How nice it would be to have a reset button. Just yesterday I was sweating like crazy because my brother's mp4 won't turn on and I was afraid that my mom won't get me the laptop I wanted because the money would go to the repair of the said mp4 instead. Anyway lucky for me that the great mp4 had a reset button and everything went to normal without any data loss too.

How great it would be if we all had a reset button right? Then all those wasted time I had being idle would have been used for studying and I won't be at the edge of my seat fearing for the worst.

Ok. I'm being idle again, back to studying. I have to give more effort this time if I want to pass the dreaded course I chose. Darn it!

Ateneo de Davao Univeristy (ADDU)

This picture was taken last month (November) and I really like this pic. it shows that I have actually achieved one of my dreams and that is to visit ADDU. I have planned to visit ADDU when I was in Davao for our psychiatric affiliation but I was only able to visit my sister school when I came back to Davao for our medical examination.

being infront ADDU was a sense of accomplishment for me. Don't get me wrong I am a true blue Atenean. I have studied at Ateneo since high school. And if only I could already take care of myself and live alone during grade school then I would probably be studying in Xavier University Grade School (Ateneo de Cagayan). There's a lot of pride in me hehehe. But I do love my school. That's a fact.

I was about to write about my Davao experience but it's too lengthy and I'm a lazy bum hehehe. Anyway I wasn't really able to enter the campus since it's already dark and we were only there to buy some Pomelo from the sidewalk vendors infront of the school hahaha. Like we stopped at the side of the road (you can actually see my tita's car in the picture) and the vendors came to us (imagine that). We then decided to go out because we wanted to taste which vendor's pomelo is good (it was already more like eating if you ask me). The vendors really opened pomelos and gave each one of us. We then ofcourse bought a lot because the vendors would lose a lot because they really opened their products for us. I had a picture of the trash we left behind infront of Ateneo hahaha I am so bad.

Laptop Dilemma

I have wanted to get a laptop for so long. It’s already a proven fact that a laptop is a necessity and not just a want. A laptop is a need especially for a student nurse like me who constantly needs to be constantly updated and who need to research stuff.

I asked my Mom once if she could buy me one because my two laptops are unfortunately permanently out of order. To my dismay she asked what I need it for. We already have two computers in the house but I can’t really use them because I stay at a boarding house and it’s not time-efficient, not to mention cost-effective, to just come home to use the computer. Sure the school has computers and all but the laboratories open late and the computers are the library are constantly used by silly students who have no conscience and just use the computers there for opening their Friendster account. I understand that their tuition includes the use of the computers but it’s a library a place of learning not socializing.

I could also go to internet cafes but it would be such a hassle. Not to mention dangerous, an internet café is filled with strangers and possibly evil elements.

I asked my mom if I could bring my computer at home to the boarding house and she then told me that bringing a computer to the city would be difficult and all plus I had to pay for the additional electricity use. To my surprise she then told me that she would buy me a laptop instead. I was really overjoyed

I couldn’t sleep and I constantly keep on thinking about that laptop. I’m obsessed with the thought of actually having the laptop in my arms like it’s crazy. I’m already suffering; I’m in anguish having to wait for January to get my laptop.

Actually the waiting part is bearable but something awful came up. I have rummaged around the city for computer shops and it all came to two stores who had the laptops I want. One store had an installment plan but only had Neo laptops which is within my allotted budget. A Neo-Q Note Endura 540SLe to be exact:

Neo notebooks to be honest are cheap. So cheap that it makes you wonder if it would last a month or so. I have surfed the net and to my big dismay my speculations where right. Neo Enduras doesn’t endure at all. Some Neo customers had bought Neos and it only lasted for 8 months. There are a lot of complaints about it and the customer service is very poor. Like I am praying and hoping that my mom would reconsider and won’t buy me a Neo.

I am hoping that she buys me an Asus X51R series which doesn’t only have a faster processor (Intel Dual Core 1.86 Ghz) and many more superior features. It beats Endura on almost all aspect and it only is php 7,200 more expensive. If you ask me, I would rather buy a well-known brand from a doubtful one. But if ever I get a Neo, I would be sad but at least I get a laptop right? I’ll just have to be very careful with it and I would have to buy laptop fans because it easily heats up.

The second store has my dream laptop. An Acer Travelmate 5520! It actually is like the Asus X51R but only a bit faster with a superior graphics card. But I bet my mom would get me either an HP Compaq Presario C702TU or an Acer Aspire 4315 Notebook. They really have the same specs to each other (even with the Neo Endura 540SLe) but I would prefer the Acer from the three (HP, Acer Aspire, Neo). The HP may be a better brand but its design is sort of... uhm... square? The second store does have my laptop of preferences but they don’t have an installment plan. I doubt my mom would buy it directly with cold hard cash. But I do hope that things work out with the second store. My mom has some connections with the said store and she could arrange for something. But unfortunately the said person is on leave. I do hope that that person decides to return ASAP so that things will be worked out and then I can get my laptop (an Acer or HP, NOT a NEO, God forbids) by the second week.

I would rather wait for a month longer as long as I don’t get a Neo for a laptop.

I’m Sorry Meow-Meow

I did something really awful today and it really made me very sad. You see I was forced to take a little kitten away from our house. The story goes like this:

My puppy, Missy, was barking like crazy and she was very anxious, agitated, and wasn’t acting like herself.

I was investigating the cause of her anxiety when I heard a tiny “Meow”. And voila a baby kitten appeared hiding under some old tires. Missy was barking at it and I really admired the courage of the kitten who despite the big size of Missy, she still hissed and sort of tried to scratch Missy to defend herself (or himself).

I went near the kitten and called it and to my surprise it went near me. It sort of trusted me and I suddenly had a liking to the kitten. I honestly wanted to keep it and take care of it because she (he) was really small and I’m afraid for her safety. But I had to take her away because I love my puppy too and I don’t want her to be infected with rabbis from the cat. I had no choice and I caught her and dropped her (him) somewhere far, because if my father was the one to dispose of her, he would have done worst and I didn’t want to hurt the kitten.

I’m ashamed of what I did. But as long as I’m under the roof of my parents I can’t do anything and I really had to protect Missy. This situation is really depressing.

I’m Sorry That You’re Impoverished

I just hate some of my brother’s friends, if not completely all of them. I can’t fake it and act happy whenever they’re around the house and be hospitable and all because they define the epitome of “buwiysetas” or unwanted visitors. Like they have the nerve of saying this line: “I never thought that HE (referring to ME) would be here…” Like the HELL! I happen to live here you stupid b*tches. This happens to be my freaking home, this is my domain, my sanctuary, my abode, residence, and whatever you call a place you own and live in. Grrr! I hate them! If only I have the time and energy to throw them out of the house!

Some of them have the audacity to come to our house in the evening to use our computer. And for what? For checking their Friendster accounts and even for scanning their pictures of their hideous selves. Like don’t they have the decency to call ahead (that is if they have a phone, or send an SMS at least) or wait until morning to do their stupidness? My gosh, I don’t want to be rude like they are but don’t they have money to spend on internet cafes? Like do they understand the word PRIVATE or PRIVACY? My HOME is not a PUBLIC place where they can casually enter in the middle of the night! I don’t care if they can’t afford to buy their own PC or connect to the internet, or worst, can’t afford to rent a computer in an internet café. Don't get me wrong. I don't look down on them because they can't afford to buy a PC or connect to the internet, what I'm really against is that they have the nerve to go to our house acting as if they own it. How dare they impose themselves and barge in our house without any courtesy call?! How rude and undignified. But what would you expect from people of poor breeding.

I know that it’s Christmas and all but lately I have noticed that they have a negative influence with my brother and that triggers my hate mode. These bunch of delinquents lie to their parents about where they are going and they don’t even inform their parents that they’re not coming home. These are the group of youth that I can tag as a problem of society. Hell, my brother was even caught carrying marijuana (Cannabis) and who else would we blame but his stupid misfit friends. They have the foul excuse of having these prayer meetings during Sunday just to idle somewhere.

Dreamfall: The Longest Journey

Before reading the post I should warn you… this contain LOTS of spoilers. If you plan on playing the game don’t read this post.

Ah! I just finished the game and I was really disappointed! For a long journey that was pretty short! I mean there were some… I mean A LOT of questions left unanswered. It’s like watching a movie and is cut short. Like what happened to the other characters? What happened to April? Is she really dead? Will Kian be executed? Is the White Drake killed by Brian? Why is Reza not Reza? Why was the big ugly rich monster killed by his own minions? And why on earth would a mother allow her daughter to be in a comma? Is Zoe a real organic person or a clone or a sort of test tube baby?

The game’s plot is very interesting and it literally sucks you in to the story. It’s a great role-playing game and you are able to think and solve difficult puzzles (yeah, I cheated in some chapters of the game…). There is a sort of anti-church connotation here as represented by the “holy people” who wanted to convert “sinners” and bring them into the light and worship their “goddess” even if they have to use force. It does ring a bell doesn’t it? Not that I’m an anti-church person. The story line is so good! I feel like I’m watching a movie even if it’s a game. But the combat system does suck but who’s complaining? I’m not into the beat them up genre kind of gamer anyway.

I am so disappointed. Like Dreamfall is a masterpiece no doubt about it but what a bummer. I did enjoy the game, I just hate the ending.

Just Go Away and Die

This is a song that I made and sang myself. Just listen to it if you want to.

Artists in the Making

I was never enthusiastic about the idea of studying art and all but once I had started thinking and creating what we call art I finally realized that art is not that bad.

But I don't work alone, I have a group called "Naning" short for "Naningkamot" or meaning trying our best. None in the group is a professional artist or excel in drawing or paintng but we each played a part in conceptualizing to create a masterpiece.

Here are some of our latest work:

"SELDA"

Selda is a paintng about a man who was wrongfully accused and thrown into jail to serve his life-sentence. If you would notice the man's eyes, it is the eyes of an innocent man who is saddened and who is suffering in his current situation. He wants to break free but can't.

This painting could also symbolize our potentials that we don't want to be tapped or prevent from being tapped. For example, we can sing well but we constantly put ourselves down and think negatively so the outcome would naturally be a failure.

"FACADE"
Facade is about a girl who is naturally kind and good-hearted but because of a society (as symbolized by the sun) that is chaotic and complex she must wear a mask to serve as a defense mechanism. In this modern society, if you show your self as someone weak and defenseless people will naturally take advantage of you and manipulate you. That is why the girl is trying to convey a strong image so that she won't be taken advantage of.

Man is intrinsically good but in a society where evil is more dominant, the people in that society are more likely to adapt to survive. They adapt by being more defensive and selfish... self-preservation.

"CRIMINAL MIND"
This painting symbolizes a corrupt society where the government officials are working together with drug lords and prostitutes and other evil elements (as symbolized by the 4 heads on the wall). The time setting is during the night time because this is the time of the day where most evil elements (drug pushers, stealers, etc) work. The man who is about to step into the darkness symbolizes the innocent people who are about to die or about to be used by the politicians or drug lords to do their dirty work. The wall symbolizes the current situation of society, destroyed and stained by blood due to many people dying. The triangular eyes represent the media and society who are either apathetic, too coward to unveil the truth, or the media who exaggerate things making the current situation worse.

The starry night sky is a glimmer of hope because the stars symbolize people who are willing to do everything that they can to change the current situation of society.

God created everything... including evil

A University professor at a well known
institution of higher learning
challenged his students with this
question. "Did God create everything
that exists?"

A student bravely replied, "Yes he
did!"

"God created everything?" The
professor asked.

"Yes sir, he certainly did," the
student replied.

The professor answered, "If God
created everything; then God created
evil. And, since evil exists, and
according to the principle that our
works define who we are, then we can
assume God is evil."

The student became quiet and did not
answer the professor's hypothetical
definition. The professor, quite
pleased with himself, boasted to the
students that he had proven once more
that the Christian faith was a myth.

Another student raised his hand and
said, "May I ask you a question,
professor?"

"Of course", replied the professor.

The student stood up and
asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"

"What kind of question is this? Of
course it exists. Have you never been
cold?"

The other students snickered at the
young man's question.

The young man replied, "In fact sir,
cold does not exist. According to the
laws of physics, what we consider cold
is in reality the absence of heat.
Every body or object is susceptible to
study when it has or transmits energy,
and heat is what makes a body or
matter have or transmit energy.
Absolute zero (-460 F) is the total
absence of heat; and all matter
becomes inert and incapable of
reaction at that temperature. Cold
does not exist. We have created this
word to describe how we feel if we
have no heat."

The student continued, "Professor,
does darkness exist?"

The professor responded, "Of course it
does."

The student replied, "Once again you
are wrong sir, darkness does not exist
either. Darkness is in reality the
absence of light. Light we can study,
but not darkness. In fact, we can use
Newton's prism to break white light
into many colors and study the various
wavelengths of each color.

You cannot measure darkness. A simple
ray of light can break into a world of
darkness and illuminate it. How can
you know how dark a certain space is?
You measure the amount of light
present. Isn't this correct? Darkness
is a term used by man to describe what
happens when there is no light
present."

Finally the young man asked the
professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"

Now uncertain, the professor
responded, "Of course, as I have
already said. We see it everyday. It
is in the daily examples of man's
Inhumanity to man. It is in the
multitude of crime and violence
everywhere in the world. These
manifestations are nothing else but
evil.

To this the student replied, "Evil
does not exist, sir, or at least it
does not exist unto itself. Evil is
simply the absence of God. It is just
like darkness and cold, a word that
man has created to describe the
absence of God. God did not create
evil. Evil is the result of what
happens when man does not have God's
love present in his heart. It's like
the cold that comes when there is no
heat, or the darkness that comes when
there is no light."

The professor sat down.

The young man's name - Albert Einstein

The Moon Shines It's Brightest In the Dark

There is a point in one’s life where you just get tired of living. There is no specific reason why you just want to cease existing. There is no antagonist that makes your life miserable and no problem that will cause a colossal impact on one’s life; you just simply get tired of it all… bored even. You feel as if your soul has left your body and all that is left is a hollow shell that continues this pitiful charade of what we call life. It’s like you suddenly have a bad case of anhedonia or the loss of the ability to experience pleasure in things that would normally make an ordinary person ecstatic.

It is in these times that I feel so spiritually drained that I seek for something out of the ordinary, something greater than me, something that will cause a major change in my life like an awakening… maybe even like God. I want to be inspired, to be motivated, to stop being idle and just watch my life slowly slip away.

I want to be reborn into someone that is spiritual and is free of human sin that stains my soul. I want to be purified and live as someone who is enlightened and who sees through what is essential in life.

It is in these dry spells that I love to go into my own private place and watch the moon shine in its finest glory. You just have the way the moon illuminates the darkness with a mysterious glow. It’s cold at night but somehow you feel warm and safe. I just want to watch the moon for eternity and forever be at peace.

The Resurrection of Nanette!

At last! My friend Nanette has risen from the dead and had finally shown her face to us. Nothing has really changed in her since the last day that we saw her. It was really fun to be with her and tease her again. It's a shame that I wasn't able to take a picture of that special occasion.

Anyway, contrary to people's belief she didn't disappear because she was hiding her newborn baby or something. It's because of a more simpler reason, a reason which of course I am bound not to tell you. But it's definitely not in the line of scandal or what so ever.

We hope that we could all get together tonight and have a reunion dinner. I'm hoping that the others won't be a kill-joy or a party-pooper like me. Lol! But hey! I'm organizing this thing so they should come.

Psychiatric Affiliation: The Davao Adventure

Who would have guessed that Davao would actually be fun... Yes it was fun but you couldn't over-shadow the 12 days of sleepless nights, brain-melting requirements, bloody case presentations, and the 5 days of being with naked crazy people.

So, let me begin my adventure with the picture of my bags for Davao...
They may look heavy but they actually aren't. So on October 20, 2007 I woke up AT 1:00 am (I actually didn't sleep well because of my anxiety...) and prepared took a bath then went to Dunkin Donuts by 3:00 AM for some breakfast and coffee. The bus came at around 4:00 AM, I was already waiting there but the bus drivers didn't let us board yet so I waited again for 5 am until finally we were able to board the bus.

I never did realize how enjoyable it is to ride a bus. It was like adrenaline was rushing all over my body. I was like a young boy who was getting to ride a bike for the first time. I really enjoyed looking at the people passing by and I was even tempted to wave at them but held back for the sake of my sanity.

Upon reaching Davao we were already oriented upon the tings we ad to do, after a hearty meal of course. Food is one of the greatest joys in Davao people. We did so many things before we could actually go on duty at Davao Mental Hospital. We had to undergo a drug test were someone will look at you pee trough a one way mirror (ewe!) and then had our hospital orientation and tour. We first had our first encounter with some nursing school from Kidapawan and we were so surprised how prepared they were. Imagine, bringing a CD for dancing at the orientation for an intermission number. But we looked better than them hehehe (connection?). Davao Medical Center was the largest hospital that I have ever been in in my entire life with the best facilities and equipments. I was truly amazed.

The mental hospital was only scary at first. Imagine seeing naked people and stinky wards... disgusting. And there was tis one crazy person chained to the wall who actually pulled my sleeves, good thing I reacted and ran away leaving only and prints on my sleeve (wonder what she was touching ewe!). The rest then became a routine. We tell them to was up, bring them to the activity area, take vital signs, interact, then bring them back to their cells.

Everyday would have been fun if only we didn't had tons of written requirements and those 9:00pm emergency meetings... geez people let me sleep! (hehehe, lazy bum).

But at least I was able to go to the malls there like Gaisano and SM. We even got the chance to go to this beautiful nature park called Eden. I especially loved the jungle swings thingy. The buffet would have been nice too if only they didn't ran out of peach float (how sad).

It was quite sad that I wasn't able to visit Ateneo de Davao but someday I'll get to go there hehehe.

That's all. A lot more happened really but you people might get bored hehehe.

If you really want to know what happened more, just check my pictures at:
http://vincentb88.multiply.com/photos/album/13/Davao_Psychiatric_Affiliation

Oh yeah, we failed our case presentation... I wonder if anyone actually passed case presentations?

To Zack

Hey Zack sorry that I had to delete your post in my chatbox. I removed it because of the following reasons:

1. It's very offensive.
2. It had bad grammar.
3. Duh?!

You asked me if I understood Spanish? Si Señor, I can understand some Spanish because if you knew some of your own country's history we were actually colonized by your ancestors for 300 years so the Filipino people would have acquired some of that culture right (basing on Socio-Anthropology, do you know what this is Zack?).

Now, let me ask you... Do you know how to speak Tagalog and Cebuano? Because I do. I know 3 languages proficiently and I don't have the interest in learning Spanish because of the following reasons:

1. I'm not Spanish
2. I don't need to learn Spanish
3. I don't want to learn Spanish
4. I'd rather learn Japanese or Korean than Spanish
   
5. English is the language used by the International Community

And to prove that I can speak in 3 languages here are some lines:

• Tagalog: Ang mukha mo ay kahawig nang aking puwet
  
• Cebuano: Ang imong nawong k murag lubot nako.
  
• English: You're so Funny... (hahaha)
  

Intellectual Masturbation

Intellectual Masturbation Rubs Me The Wrong Way

Intellectual masturbation is a big problem on campus. Every class I go to, there’s one or two people with no shame. They don’t hesitate doing it in front of everybody who is there trying to learn. The time has come to take a long, hard look at intellectual masturbation and examine how it affects our campus.

Intellectual masturbation can be defined as: 1. The act of satisfying one’s ego through statements intended only to show off one’s intelligence. 2. Acting like a know-it-all jerk that no one likes to listen to and everyone wishes would just shut up.

The most common form of intellectual masturbation comes in class discussion. Students will be exchanging ideas on a topic. Most listen and respond to what others say. It seems that real academic dialogue is taking place. Then, without warning, the intellectual masturbator intrudes with a five-minute rant on something remotely related to the topic. He will bring in outside reading that has little to do with the subject area and certainly didn’t appear anywhere on the course syllabus. The other students will sit in pain and watch as the student continues for what seems like hours. When the act of self-satisfaction is finished, the class is incapacitated, and the professor struggles to connect what was said back to the class discussion. Sometimes the professor succeeds in retaining the class’s focus, but more often than not, the class discussion never reaches the same level it had been before someone decided to turn it into an ego-stroking session.

The truly talented intellectual masturbator doesn’t need a class discussion to satisfy his urges. Even in a large lecture class, he will find a way to show everyone else in the class how smart he is. The most common technique is what I like to call the “Trojan Horse.” It works like this:

Professor: “Does anyone have any questions about this, anything they need cleared up? Yes Mr. Jones, you have a question.”

Student: “I’ve always thought that … [five minute dissertation entitled ‘Look at me, I’m smart.] … would you agree?”

I’m sure we’re all familiar with this technique from freshman year. It appears to be very popular with the more experienced practitioners, as it requires a higher level of skill and carries more risk. Yet at the same time, it seems to be much more pleasurable for the student, most likely because he has a much larger audience. Intellectual masturbation is inherently exhibitionist in nature.

This brings us to the third common type of intellectual masturbation. It requires by far the most hubris, presents the greatest danger and clearly provides the optimum level of pleasure for those who do it. It is a close cousin of the “Trojan Horse” technique but occurs on a much grander scale. I speak of the “Prove to the famous person that they’re wrong and you’re smarter than they are” technique. As its name implies, this technique requires the presence of someone famous, and at Georgetown that means it can only be done during the question and answer session that follows a speech by a major figure.

After the speaker is finished, the student will be one of the first in line at the microphone. When his turn comes, he will indeed ask a question. However, the question will approach 10 minutes in length, include every possible counter-argument to the speaker’s position and usually be quite rude and unoriginal. Yet, when the student is finished asking the question, self-satisfaction flows over him as he basks in the warmth of his own genius.

What makes this form of intellectual masturbation the most painful to witness is not so much the audacity or arrogance of it but its inherent futility. Just what does the student expect to accomplish?

Student: “ … [After eight-minute presentation of every imaginable pro-choice argument] … So how can you possibly be pro-life Mr. Keyes?”

Alan Keyes: “My God, you’re right! The fetus is not a human person! And to think I’ve spent the last 16 years of my life working to take away a woman’s right to choose. I should be ashamed. Thank you, sir, for enlightening me.”

It’s like trying to persuade the Dalai Lama that he should start a violent Tibetan resistance movement. Did students really think that Larry Flynt would stop publishing Hustler because they showed him how pornography objectifies women? Did they expect Charlton Heston to hold a press conference the day after speaking at Georgetown to announce the NRA was now backing handgun control?

I don’t mean to be so judgmental about intellectual masturbation. I respect your right to tell yourself how smart you are. I don’t honestly care if you stand in front of your mirror late at night and contrast Plato’s Republic to the liberalism of J.S. Mill. I just don’t want to watch.

Quietly Making Noise appears regularly in The Hoya.

THE TOP 10 SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES

THE TOP 10 SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES

This statistics is a result of the study conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), based on the average passing in the BOARD EXAMINATIONS OF ALL COURSES of all universities and colleges in the Philippines.

This study is concluded every 10 years. The following is the result of the first study from
1992 to 2001. Five schools come from Luzon, two from the Visayas and three from Mindanao.

1. University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus /Luzon)

2. Silliman University (Dumaguete City / Visayas)

3. Ateneo de Davao University (Davao / Mindanao)

4. Ateneo de Manila University (Manila / Luzon)

5. University of Sto. Tomas (Manila / Luzon)

6. Mindanao State University (Mindanao)

7. Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (Manila /Luzon)

8. Saint Louis University (Baguio City / Luzon)

9. University of San Carlos (Cebu City / Visayas)

10. Xavier University (Cagayan de Oro /Mindanao)

Wooh! My school is in the list! The only one from Cagayan de Oro too. I don't know the latest list though but I bet XU would still be in the Top 10. I heard that there was a latest statistics where XU ranked top 7. I wonder if this would be because of the well-known 100% passing rate of board examinees from the XU College of Nursing...

But you know what? These statistics are so unreliable... plus people are so biased... to be honest, I am one of those biased people hehehe. Who would say that "I'm enrolled in the worst school ever" right? We would definitely say that "my school is the best".

But what are the criteria for being the best? And why is the school so damn important in our lives? One thing for sure is that if you graduate from a reputable and respectable university you would propbably have a greater edge over those who graduated from other unknown schools. And this is a fact. One company I know of in Cagayan de Oro hand-picks applicants who came from XU or a better school outside Mindanao and then if there are some vacant slots chooses from the other top performers from other schools. My source is very reliable thank you.

But in the end, if you don't perform well as expected you would still fail and be fired and you will definitely bring shame to your school. This is why the best schools just don't allow any student to graduate unless they perceive that that student is already capable.

So conclusion? Just work your way to the top and stop wasting time by trying to defend yourself that your school is the best! I'm not hehehe... I'm not the one saying nah my school is better than that school because they know more about skills and stuff and this school is only based on theories... but if I were a person so concerned with people comparing my school to theirs just to prove that they are better, then my rebuttal would be: how can you apply skills when you don't know the theories or reason behind it... duh?! hehehe...

Peace to all!

Addiction

You try to stop… you swear false vows… you are full of optimism…

But deep inside you, the desire is unquenchable; your yeaning is insatiable…

You know that what you are doing is wrong. You know that it will hurt you, and most of all it will hurt and offend other people around you.

But still deep inside you know that you simply can’t live without it. You tell your self that this is the last or this is only a bit or piece of that and it doesn’t matter… you fool yourself and keep on making excuses to be able to do what you sworn to abstain from…

In the end, your addiction takes over you… you then become guilty and even get depressed from your lack of will power… but days after the horrible cycle of abstaining and breaking loose repeats itself over and over…

And then you ask yourself, why do I have to stop in the first place? Maybe this is who I am and I should just embrace it… what do I care what other people think, that is not my business. My business is to live my life the way I am.

Morality simply means doing things that makes you happy and you do these things because you know that they are right… that in it’s manner makes the act right. If your addiction doesn’t harm the rest of the world why stop right?

On Morality

"There is no way that we can understand other people's feelings... no matter the feeling... if they're in your mind, they are yours. Therefore... you agree with them, that alone makes them right. What is and isn't right varies from person to person. Happiness also varies from person to person." -excerpt from xxxHolic

I agree. We define our own morality. Only we xan know what is the right thing to do in a totally awkward situation. The society may have it's own preformulated rules that they expect you to follow but in the end, you must follow your own heart because what ever makes you happy is something that is right. But of course this is only valid if you don't step on other people's rights or violate them.

Geez... morality sure is problematic...

Do What You Shouldn't Do

"The desire to do what you know you shouldn't is indeed one of the very desires that define humanity." an excerpt from xxxHolic

Why is it that we get a kick out of doing what's wrong? We think that doing what is illegal is an adrenaline rush, it's exciting, it's hip. Maybe it really is.

Doing something wrong and breaking the rules is like being free and you have a sense of control and it is amazing. You feel that you can do absolutely anything.

Maybe this is why so many people do stuff that society thinks is wrong... like adultery for example. What is wrong is really tempting because just the thrill of the chase, the process of doing what is prohibited is exhilerating.

But of course, one must only be prepared for the proper punishment that comes with it. Again, rule of equivalent trade people.

Running Away From Happiness

Why does someone run away from happiness? This is a weird question from xxxHolic.

Another weird question: If you won one billion pesos worth of lottery would you claim it or not?

For a person who would run away from happiness, that person wouldn't probably claim it. And why on earth would a sane person refuse to claim the prize? Answer?

It's simple, in order to receive happiness, it takes an equal amount of effort; compensation is required. You must also experience the same amount of unhappiness as payment for whatever happiness you incurred. This ladies and gentlemen is the law of equivalent trade.

You alway have to pay your debts even if you are the receiver. This means that you have to also reward your sufferings that you have incurred from your choices. If you win the lottery, claim the prize as that is your compensation. If you owe ten thousand yen, you must pay ten thousand yen. If you deserve 300 million pesos then receive 300 million pesos. Any discount will dusrupt the balance. Disrupting the balance would only reak havoc.

That is why some people refuse to receive happiness. The good parts are the parts that you must pay for. One who refuses happiness is someone who refuses to accept the responsibilities incurred from receving happiness.


If you ask me, that person is quite smart. Every action is well calculated, but one false move could only lead that person in some deep problem... but on the bright side, proper compensation comes: happiness.

So how can someone run away from happiness exactly? Take for example the girl from xxxHolic. In order to risk the reward of getting promoted, she allowed herself to be in an accident so that she would miss that very stressful presentation. She could present very well and even succeed in it but she doesn't want the responsibilities that comes with being promoted. See? Her careful plan had lead to a desired conclusion of neutrality. The balance wasn't even shaken one bit.

Another learning from xxxHolic.

Fate

“Coincidence is but an illusion.
There is only fate.”

I have always believed that things happen for a reason. There are no accidents or mere coincidence. Everything that occurs is a chain reaction and an event is the result of than reaction. Life is like a wheel that continues on rolling and there is a path that we must follow. Life is a sequence of events.

But I also believe in free will. Fate can only bring us too far as to encounter a certain event but it is in our hands and our own choice to choose to have fate work or come into reality. This is just like meeting the girl/boy of your dreams, a person who is perfect. You met that person because of fate. But it’s up to you if you talk to that person or not. Either way your choices will lead you to another chain of events and so forth. We do have a choice, and every choice we make counts.

But one thing is for sure. Our death is inevitable. No choice we make can save us from death, and it is in this manner that fate takes hold of our life.

Things happen for a reason… but the reasons are unclear…

Words are Powerful

I have been watching xxxHolic lately and I want to share some learning that I have derived from it:

“Waves. Things that rise and fall.

Waves. Things that proliferate from a source.

Waves. Things that can’t be fought against.

Living things are restrained by Chains:

The laws of nature

The flow of time

The vessel known as your “body”

And the existence called your mind

The one chain that people can wield: WORDS.”

The waves that are mentioned here are words. As I interpret these statements, I have come up with this. There are many kinds of words. There are words that are positive and words that are negative. And these words come from one source: our own self. Words are powerful and they cannot be stopped. We as humans have many weaknesses and these may even inhibit us from reaching our full potentials. The laws of nature prevents us from doing some things like flying or being invisible for example. The flow of time restricts us from undoing what we have done in the past. Our bodies are fragile and it won’t last forever. And our mind has its own limitations. But words… we can use this for our own advantage. We can say that we can’t do something and we will definitely fail because we don’t have faith in our self. Or better yet we can say I can do this and things will turn out better. Negative words will only restrain your self. How will you know that something will turn out bad when you never tried? Nothing will be accomplished by being pessimistic.

“Words are living things. Chains can be used for more than tying down. They can be used to connect, and tie together. Looking forward and speaking positively makes all the difference.”

Words can bridge people together. Saying positive things will attract people to you and would be more at ease speaking with you and this will form a relationship between you two. How will you know people when you don’t talk to them because you already say that they dislike you?

“Words are amazing. However, words don’t only affect the one using them…”

But words can also come from other people. Other people can say hurtful things that could put you down.

“You are responsible for your own choices. So much pity when you are tied down. If you enjoy living like this, there’s no harm in staying tied down. Your immediate comfort is not telling yourself “everything will turn out great and the joy it brings when you’re right.”

But you can choose to be affected or not. You have the power to break free from the chains of negative words that other people throw at you. If you don’t like the things that people say to you then prove to them that they are wrong and stop yourself from unconsciously fulfilling the things that they say about you.

Words are really amazing. They can bring people together or they can bring us apart and even start disagreements. Words are like wild beasts that are once released cannot be taken back or controlled. Words can spread like wild fire and if it’s negative then be ready for things to get worst. That is why we should always think twice before we speak because it only takes a few seconds to say hurtful things but the impact on your relationship with the other person will last for a lifetime.

I can totally relate with this quotes from xxxHolic. But there are times that you must really speak out what you feel because the longer that you keep your anger and frustrations inside you, the feeling will grow and will end up in an ugly outburst and you will really regret it. This usually happen to the silent and kind type of people. They let people abuse them and they really become really angry when they lose it and may even end up killing the other person.

We can always use words to express ourselves but we must use them with tact so that we won’t offend others. Use words cautiously. We must be affirmative but never offensive…

Hmm… So much wisdom… I really love xxxHolic!

xxxHolic Review

I really have enjoyed watching xxxHolic. I haven't finished watching the series yet but I could say that it is a work of art. The graphics are excellent and the music is perfect. The combination of the two portrays a perfect world of magic and real life. CLAMP, the producer of the said anime, is really amazing. It really makes you think and your imagination can just run wild.

And who ever said animè isn't educational? Well xxxHolic can prove you wrong. It showcases the rich culture of Japan by embedding in the plot the different legends and myths in Japan. The way of life of Japanese people are shown and their different food, dresses, and customs are shown. It really amazes me how Japan can be so high-tech but they still are able to preserve their own identity, culture, and history.

Also xxxHolic is a perfect place to study philosophy and humanity as it exposes some morals and truths of what truly is being a human being. I will share some learning that I have derived in some of my other posts.

Totally amazing! I really love xxxHOLIC and I am quite inspired when I watch each episode that is full of wisdom and zest.

I rate it with a perfect five out of five! Why don’t you guys watch it and see for yourselves what I’m talking about.

Plot

The series' protagonist, Kimihiro Watanuki, is a high school student who is continually plagued by supernatural monsters (youkai) and spirits which are magically attracted to him. The creatures are invisible to all but him, and as a result he feels extremely burdened by them. When he quite literally stumbles into a shop that grants wishes, his life changes drastically.

Within the shop is the seductively beautiful Yūko Ichihara, a witch of many names and esoteric renown. The seemingly all-knowing witch soon gets down to business: she offers to grant Watanuki's wish to be rid of his ability to see spirits. However, a price equal to the power required to grant the wish must be paid. Yūko discovers that Watanuki is very skilled with his hands and a hard worker. As a result, Watanuki soon finds himself forced to perform housework and odd jobs for Yūko until he has done enough work for his wish to be granted.

Shortly afterwards, other characters become involved with Watanuki's position, including his love interest, Himawari Kunogi, and his "rival", Shizuka Dōmeki. The three become increasingly "friendlier", despite the amount of times Watanuki gets annoyed with Dōmeki's unflappable attitude.

Another recurring theme in the manga storyline is that Watanuki's growth and change will be because of his experiences of meeting one person. Yūko, according to a fortune teller in Volume 2, is the one that will change Watanuki. However, it's implied that he will be linked to both Yūko and Dōmeki and that all their connections were foreseen.

High School Musical 2 Phenomenon

Again Disney has made it big time with the big success of their sequel, High School Musical 2. Even it’s album was a great success reportedly “outselling Justin Timberlake and Beyonce and Rascal Flatts and everything else.” If you don't know what High School Musical is then I'm sorry to tell you that you really need serious updating with the happenings of the world.

I really enjoyed the movie and is definitely a show for the whole family because Troy and Gabriela did not even have a single kissing scene. The songs are better and the certain twists in the story are quite good. But I have to say that I liked Sharpay’s version of “You are the Music in Me” better than the one of Troy and Gabriela.

This movie is a great recommend to all of the people out there! A 5 out of 5 stars! Why? Just watch the damn movie to see how this Disney Original became such a phenomenon! If you missed High School Musical 1 & 2 then you should really watch the coming High School Musical 3!


Here’s the plot:

The summer brings jolly excitement to the East High Wildcats as they go over their plans for their break from school with the song "What Time Is It?". Troy Bolton (Zac Efron) stresses over getting a job with the price of college looming on his mind, as well as trying to make sure he and Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) are able to stay together all summer. Sharpay and Ryan Evans (Ashley Tisdale and Lucas Grabeel) plan on spending the summer at their family's country club, Lava Springs ("Fabulous"). However, Sharpay's summer plan also includes separating Troy and Gabriella by getting Troy hired at Lava Springs. What Sharpay does not plan on is Troy talking the club's manager, Mr. Fulton (Mark L. Taylor), into hiring the rest of the Wildcats, including Gabriella and her best friend Taylor (Monique Coleman), and Troy's best friend Chad (Corbin Bleu). Fulton is unable to fire the Wildcats at Sharpay's command, since her mother (Jessica Tuck) approved their hiring, so she orders him to make them want to quit. Troy offers to help his friends working in the kitchen and convinces them that they can work their hardships out, in the song, "Work This Out".

Sharpay schemes harder than ever to make the Wildcats miserable, and win Troy, who has to choose between two worlds: his own with the Wildcats and Gabriella, or another where Sharpay's family can offer him a way to college and other luxuries he has only dreamed about. Kelsi writes a duet for Troy and Gabriella, but Sharpay steals the duet from the two of them and forces Troy to sing it with her, holding his future over his head. As Troy grows further away from Gabriella, Ryan is pushed further away from Sharpay. Taylor and Gabriella even invite Ryan to the baseball game, and Chad offers him Troy's place in the game. Troy and Gabriella's relationship is strained to the breaking point, as well as Troy's friendship with Chad.


When Sharpay finally crosses the line by banning the Wildcats from performing in Lava Springs' annual Star Dazzle Talent Show, even though Ryan has been working with the group to put together a performance, Gabriella confronts Sharpay. She makes it clear that she refuses to play Sharpay's "game", and quits her job at Lava Springs. Troy overhears the exchange and tries to convince Gabriella to change her mind. However, all she can think of is how much Troy has changed over the summer, and breaks up with him. She returns the necklace that Troy presented to her at the beginning of their relationship.

Gabriella's quitting causes Troy to see the person he has become and realize everything he has sacrificed. Finally when Gabriella breaks up with him he realises the mistakes he made and the people he hurt, especially Gabriella and Chad. His relationship with Gabriella was just blossoming and he blew it. As he sets out to make everything right again, Ryan gets help from the Wildcats to conspire to get Troy and Gabriella back together. They convince Troy to sing with Sharpay in the talent show - even though he'd quit citing her ban on junior staffers' participation in the show - which he does only under the condition that the Wildcats are allowed to perform as well. Sharpay relents, and the Wildcats put their plan into motion, finally getting Troy and Gabriella back together as they sing a duet together. Troy begins to sing and then he hears Gabriella's voice and looks around, surprised. She finally emerges from the back of the crowd behind the Wildcats. After the talent show, Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Zeke, Jason, Kelsi, Chad, Taylor, Martha, and Ryan all head out onto the golf course to enjoy the fireworks. Troy and Gabriella finally share their first kiss then Gabbriella pulls him closer then they hug, and the summer ends with a staff pool party and the Wildcats' celebration of a great summer together. Gabriella and Troy jump into the pool together. They swim for hours until then.

Realizations

As they say, “Man is an empty shell filled only with endless wants and desires…:

Actually, that’s just my saying. But my point is how do you differentiate the things you need from the things you want? Or better yet, the people you need and the people you desire?

Let us define the terms shall we?

need (nēd)
n.
1. A condition or situation in which something is required or wanted: crops in need of water; a need for affection.
2. Something required or wanted; a requisite: “Those of us who led the charge for these women's issues … shared a common vision in the needs of women” (Olympia Snowe).
3. Necessity; obligation: There is no need for you to go.
4. A condition of poverty or misfortune: The family is in dire need.

want (wŏnt, wônt)
n.
1. The condition or quality of lacking something usual or necessary: stayed home for want of anything better to do.
2. Pressing need; destitution: lives in want.
3. Something desired: a person of few wants and needs.
4. A defect of character; a fault.

Ok I am now more confused. But from my point of you need is something you can’t live without and want is something you can live without, such a simple definition don’t you think but it all fits.

There are things in my life that I want and there are things that I need. The problem is my wants is overpowering and overpowers my needs that I neglect and poorly prioritize things. I am quite aware that there are things and maybe even people perhaps that distract me from reaching my goals.

But again what are my goals? Ayayayay…. This is a complete dilemma.

But again you might ask what the connection is between wants and needs to priorities? Well, I see my needs as my priorities and my wants as complete nuisance.

My gosh… I really have to settle my priorities first before I turn to something I hate the most: a blood-sucking empty-headed dumb couch potato. Poor me…