Finals Week Ramblings
It's the last week of classes, the days I have been dreading, but strangely enough now that "the days of reckoning" have actually arrived, I'm as stress-free as can be. While I stayed up long nights last week studying, stressing myself out so that my "visitor" was delayed for an entire week, I'm taking it easy in every way possible now. Well, sort of.
16 Mar, Thursday last week (Rache's *real* debut): Psych orals. I spent the entire afternoon bumming around with my groupmates (Iea, Kay, Cyndee (+ Steven), and Han), playing Wall of Jericho/ Spongebob Collapse/ Scrabble (VS Maven the AI) at Seattle's Best. We all read (somewhat), but most of our review was spent (literally) throwing questions at each other. I wonder who cleaned up all the little scraps of paper. In any case when the actual orals came along it felt exactly like our review session did. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, were able to clearly give and expound all our ideas, and in general amused Ma'am Rence by our antics. That, and I hope she enjoyed the box of Kenny's Assorted Muffins. I think an A would not be too far off the mark as to my expectations for Psych (if I finish the MBTI paper that is). Finals this Friday, and I'm Psyched. (pun intended!)
(On an off note: The last statement during our orals was, from Ma'am Rence: "I believe that women should be pursued. If he won't pursue you, if he doesn't think you're worth the risk of being rejected or humiliated, he's not worth your time. Also, the man you choose is a reflection of how you see yourself." And I quipped: "Ah, kaya naman pala yung gusto kong guys, lagi na lang perfect!" Wahahaha!!! I love Psych, I swear... Daya ni Anton, he's double majoring, and I can't even do the same thing :( I'm taking the education minor if possible though, that still will have plenty of Psych... Dev Psych, Class Psych, Social Psych, etc...)
19 Mar, Sunday: Had a "review session" at Carlo's house. Attendance: Anne, Mackie, Dino, Gigo, Carlo, and me. Vinia couldn't come; Luigi claimed that since Anne would be there it would end up being a useless review (and I therefore conclude that there might be something hidden in those words); and Anton was not around, for reasons not cited. In any case we brushed up on all four historical periods (Enlightenment, Romantic, Modernism, Post-Modernism), wherein I experienced minute flashes of irritation at their words (like when they did the whole "Tar-tyuff" fake French accent imitation thing - three guesses who they were making fun of), but on the whole... well, let's just say I'd been mean behind their backs too, but I wasn't about to expose myself because I needed the review. I'm not as stand-alone-ish as Arne. I do need other people around, even if I sometimes think they're below me (or vice-versa). In any case it was getting to be a pretty lonely block with only me and Arne around. It was fun bonding with "the others". Plus I got dinner free from Gigo, and between the four of us - myself, Gigo, Anne, and Carlo - we planned a series of "block pics"/"creative poses" involving elaborate cosplays of the readings we've had. Examples: Luigi was cast as Mephistopheles, whispering in Anton (as Faust)'s ear; Anne as Mme. Bovary (and don't you think this particularly fitting, Arne?); Gigo as Achilles (the "book cover" would show only his heel, with an arrow sticking out of it); Anton (again; Gigo appeared to particularly like casting Mr. Josh Hottnet in our little literary fantasies) as Oskar in The Tin Drum; Mr. Acuna as Humbert Humbert, reading a magazine called "Lollipop" (he ALWAYS mistakes Candy Mag for Lollipop Mag, for some insane reason) featuring me (!) on the cover in skimpy beach attire, on a beach mat, holding a huge lolly - as Lolita. (All those details were from Gigo, by the way.) Oh yes! and Arne on the cover of Memoirs of a Geisha. Again, their suggestion, not mine; but isn't it flattering, cheri? And more, but I forget. Hehe. We even came up with a tagline for our block, from a conversation (which I related over dinner) between Sir AC and myself: upon hearing that I was taking lit in the Ateneo, he had told me to look for a former student of his - Anton Cu-Unjieng (who, incidentally, is now my blockmate). Sir AC said, and I quote, "He's weird. He likes to read books. I think you'd like him." Now, barring the fact that Sir AC must be psychic - if you understand why, then I need not explain - we still found the description not just amusing but very apt for the entire block. "They're weird. They like to read books. We think you'd like them." What a yearbook entry, right?!
(Unrelated: I found out from Gigo that I was being linked with somebody from my Taek class last year. The description was "small, chinito - the guy you kicked in the balls." Despite that injurious incident he apparently still liked me enough to always be asking after me. Oh, well then, I'm flattered, but I can't say I remember his existence. Aside from Gigo, Miggy de la Cruz (hm, the Southridge people), Jay-R, Muriel, and Agnes, the only other person from that class that I actually remembered was Carlo. But then again he's so eccentric it's hard to forget he exists. Imagine a purple porpoise with a squeaky voice and a vaguely simian mien. The image would be quite accurate.)
20 Mar, Monday: Four exams scheduled. I tried checking the Magna Carta, but apparently it's not against the law to drive students insane with such a heavy mental load. Schedule - Sci 10, 1130-1330; Eco 102/Ma 12, 1330-1530; and Lit 126.2, 1530-1730. I begged both my Math and Eco teachers to give me a break. My math exam was moved to 1730-1930, and my Eco teacher allowed me to take my exam today (21 Mar). BUT THEN, when I went to the Sci10 exam venue, Arne's class was there... so WTF?! Departmental exam? Apparently not... the exam sched had been moved to *drumroll* 1530-1730! Yay! Sabay ang Sci10 at Lit exams ko!!! Woot~!
I thought I might be able to take my Sci10 exam earlier, but Chris (Father Dan's teaching assistant, who was usually the one to administer our exams) was not to be found at the Physics department. So I waited. And waited. And figured, at this rate, I might as well have taken my Eco or Math exam. But I waited some more anyway, until I got pissed and decided to head back to the dorm and sleep.
And who should I meet but Fr. Dan? I suddenly was given cause to rue the low-cut, clingy top I had worn (favors are easier to ask from Chris when he's a little distracted, we've discovered from class) because, given my short stature and Fr. Dan's height - and his being a priest - I was in the rather uncomfortable position of having my old, respected, PRIEST teacher literally looking down upon my, uh, soul/future. He appeared to frown, and my chances of getting "special treatment" flew out the window. All he did was assure me that his exam could be finished in twenty minutes, and left. I spent the next hour "reviewing" (really just chatting) with Chico, my Sci10 seatmeate, who's been my friend since we became groupmates in Theo121 last semester.
Accordingly, I finished the Sci10 exam in something like half an hour and ran from CTC to Berchmans, where my Lit exam was being held. Thankfully Acuna allowed me an extension (which I didn't really need, but...) Remind me sometime that though he's an awful teacher, and his exam was long enough to completely fill up an entire blue book, he's not that much of a villain. I ended up taking my Math exam at 6PM, but Ma'am Domingo stayed until 8PM so that I would still have two hours to finish the exam. She also said she might lower the passing mark (or her standards on my exam?) kasi mahirap yung exam, kawawa naman daw ako. Wow. I must have been lucky yesterday. I love my teachers, I swear.
I was luckier than certain people, but I won't get into that. In my defense, all I can say is this: to Steve and to James, hindi kasi kami nag de-date ni Ian kagabi. Issues, issues! (Yuck affected naman ako 'di ba?! Defense mechanisms lan 'to...)
21 Mar, Tuesday: Ma'am Bautista's instructions were that she would leave an exam with the secretary and that I was to come in and take it any time I pleased. Well then. I came after lunch. I finished in an hour, at about the same time someone patched up his not-so-little problem, or at least I think he settled everything. And then I spent quite a bit of time chatting with Robert. Apparently we see a lot of things at the same level. He's a pretty nice guy, and we both, uh, have "high self-esteem" (see Psych measure of the term). As we were chatting, DB passed by from the lib, and when I wondered why I didn't see him at yesterday's exam he explained that he had taken it earlier. Apparently he too was having scheduling conflicts... The Registrar's office sure treats us "irregular students" worse than the blocked ones... That I can talk to him now DEFINITELY means I'm out of the fatuous love (passion+commitment) phase, as I told Robert... but hell, my self-esteem is still pretty high. (Laugh) Someday I'd like to turn my one-sided relationship into a mutual affectionate love (intimacy+commitment). Really. Except, of course, that bitch (as I teased him) is leaving next year... Joanie's right, my heart is hopping (rabbit-like) around the globe... *sigh* I was headed back to the dorm some half an hour later or so when I met Pam and ...uh, I forget her name; Sai's "girlfriend" - Migoy, what's her name again? ahh yes, Reg - anyway, they were at the Smocket, and I think I called Pam "Kae"... oh well. I suck at names. I guess they thought I said "Hey" because they waved. I hopped over just to ask if they'd already studied for retellings, and guess who they were chatting to? - DB. *cheshire grin* Not that we had any prolonged conversation, but you know me, a sentence or two makes me high. It was a bit disappointing for me when they stood up (they were going to Pulan's exam). The reason? When they said, "You guys will be taking Pulan next year", DB grinned and said, "I won't be here". I sure hope he was kidding. Now that I'm on better terms with the block, I was hoping we could get along.
Even though I don't have a helpless giddy schoolgirl crush on him anymore, that doesn't make him any less attractive. And now that I actually have the power of speech back around him - it's taken me a year to acclimatize dammit! - I don't have to make a fool out of myself around him any more. I can actually do something about my, er, "situation". SO WHY DOES HE HAVE TO LEAVE NOW?!?!?!
(...They always leave, don't they?)
Three more days. Two more exams. And then, sweet, sweet freedom!
16 Mar, Thursday last week (Rache's *real* debut): Psych orals. I spent the entire afternoon bumming around with my groupmates (Iea, Kay, Cyndee (+ Steven), and Han), playing Wall of Jericho/ Spongebob Collapse/ Scrabble (VS Maven the AI) at Seattle's Best. We all read (somewhat), but most of our review was spent (literally) throwing questions at each other. I wonder who cleaned up all the little scraps of paper. In any case when the actual orals came along it felt exactly like our review session did. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, were able to clearly give and expound all our ideas, and in general amused Ma'am Rence by our antics. That, and I hope she enjoyed the box of Kenny's Assorted Muffins. I think an A would not be too far off the mark as to my expectations for Psych (if I finish the MBTI paper that is). Finals this Friday, and I'm Psyched. (pun intended!)
(On an off note: The last statement during our orals was, from Ma'am Rence: "I believe that women should be pursued. If he won't pursue you, if he doesn't think you're worth the risk of being rejected or humiliated, he's not worth your time. Also, the man you choose is a reflection of how you see yourself." And I quipped: "Ah, kaya naman pala yung gusto kong guys, lagi na lang perfect!" Wahahaha!!! I love Psych, I swear... Daya ni Anton, he's double majoring, and I can't even do the same thing :( I'm taking the education minor if possible though, that still will have plenty of Psych... Dev Psych, Class Psych, Social Psych, etc...)
19 Mar, Sunday: Had a "review session" at Carlo's house. Attendance: Anne, Mackie, Dino, Gigo, Carlo, and me. Vinia couldn't come; Luigi claimed that since Anne would be there it would end up being a useless review (and I therefore conclude that there might be something hidden in those words); and Anton was not around, for reasons not cited. In any case we brushed up on all four historical periods (Enlightenment, Romantic, Modernism, Post-Modernism), wherein I experienced minute flashes of irritation at their words (like when they did the whole "Tar-tyuff" fake French accent imitation thing - three guesses who they were making fun of), but on the whole... well, let's just say I'd been mean behind their backs too, but I wasn't about to expose myself because I needed the review. I'm not as stand-alone-ish as Arne. I do need other people around, even if I sometimes think they're below me (or vice-versa). In any case it was getting to be a pretty lonely block with only me and Arne around. It was fun bonding with "the others". Plus I got dinner free from Gigo, and between the four of us - myself, Gigo, Anne, and Carlo - we planned a series of "block pics"/"creative poses" involving elaborate cosplays of the readings we've had. Examples: Luigi was cast as Mephistopheles, whispering in Anton (as Faust)'s ear; Anne as Mme. Bovary (and don't you think this particularly fitting, Arne?); Gigo as Achilles (the "book cover" would show only his heel, with an arrow sticking out of it); Anton (again; Gigo appeared to particularly like casting Mr. Josh Hottnet in our little literary fantasies) as Oskar in The Tin Drum; Mr. Acuna as Humbert Humbert, reading a magazine called "Lollipop" (he ALWAYS mistakes Candy Mag for Lollipop Mag, for some insane reason) featuring me (!) on the cover in skimpy beach attire, on a beach mat, holding a huge lolly - as Lolita. (All those details were from Gigo, by the way.) Oh yes! and Arne on the cover of Memoirs of a Geisha. Again, their suggestion, not mine; but isn't it flattering, cheri? And more, but I forget. Hehe. We even came up with a tagline for our block, from a conversation (which I related over dinner) between Sir AC and myself: upon hearing that I was taking lit in the Ateneo, he had told me to look for a former student of his - Anton Cu-Unjieng (who, incidentally, is now my blockmate). Sir AC said, and I quote, "He's weird. He likes to read books. I think you'd like him." Now, barring the fact that Sir AC must be psychic - if you understand why, then I need not explain - we still found the description not just amusing but very apt for the entire block. "They're weird. They like to read books. We think you'd like them." What a yearbook entry, right?!
(Unrelated: I found out from Gigo that I was being linked with somebody from my Taek class last year. The description was "small, chinito - the guy you kicked in the balls." Despite that injurious incident he apparently still liked me enough to always be asking after me. Oh, well then, I'm flattered, but I can't say I remember his existence. Aside from Gigo, Miggy de la Cruz (hm, the Southridge people), Jay-R, Muriel, and Agnes, the only other person from that class that I actually remembered was Carlo. But then again he's so eccentric it's hard to forget he exists. Imagine a purple porpoise with a squeaky voice and a vaguely simian mien. The image would be quite accurate.)
20 Mar, Monday: Four exams scheduled. I tried checking the Magna Carta, but apparently it's not against the law to drive students insane with such a heavy mental load. Schedule - Sci 10, 1130-1330; Eco 102/Ma 12, 1330-1530; and Lit 126.2, 1530-1730. I begged both my Math and Eco teachers to give me a break. My math exam was moved to 1730-1930, and my Eco teacher allowed me to take my exam today (21 Mar). BUT THEN, when I went to the Sci10 exam venue, Arne's class was there... so WTF?! Departmental exam? Apparently not... the exam sched had been moved to *drumroll* 1530-1730! Yay! Sabay ang Sci10 at Lit exams ko!!! Woot~!
I thought I might be able to take my Sci10 exam earlier, but Chris (Father Dan's teaching assistant, who was usually the one to administer our exams) was not to be found at the Physics department. So I waited. And waited. And figured, at this rate, I might as well have taken my Eco or Math exam. But I waited some more anyway, until I got pissed and decided to head back to the dorm and sleep.
And who should I meet but Fr. Dan? I suddenly was given cause to rue the low-cut, clingy top I had worn (favors are easier to ask from Chris when he's a little distracted, we've discovered from class) because, given my short stature and Fr. Dan's height - and his being a priest - I was in the rather uncomfortable position of having my old, respected, PRIEST teacher literally looking down upon my, uh, soul/future. He appeared to frown, and my chances of getting "special treatment" flew out the window. All he did was assure me that his exam could be finished in twenty minutes, and left. I spent the next hour "reviewing" (really just chatting) with Chico, my Sci10 seatmeate, who's been my friend since we became groupmates in Theo121 last semester.
Accordingly, I finished the Sci10 exam in something like half an hour and ran from CTC to Berchmans, where my Lit exam was being held. Thankfully Acuna allowed me an extension (which I didn't really need, but...) Remind me sometime that though he's an awful teacher, and his exam was long enough to completely fill up an entire blue book, he's not that much of a villain. I ended up taking my Math exam at 6PM, but Ma'am Domingo stayed until 8PM so that I would still have two hours to finish the exam. She also said she might lower the passing mark (or her standards on my exam?) kasi mahirap yung exam, kawawa naman daw ako. Wow. I must have been lucky yesterday. I love my teachers, I swear.
I was luckier than certain people, but I won't get into that. In my defense, all I can say is this: to Steve and to James, hindi kasi kami nag de-date ni Ian kagabi. Issues, issues! (Yuck affected naman ako 'di ba?! Defense mechanisms lan 'to...)
21 Mar, Tuesday: Ma'am Bautista's instructions were that she would leave an exam with the secretary and that I was to come in and take it any time I pleased. Well then. I came after lunch. I finished in an hour, at about the same time someone patched up his not-so-little problem, or at least I think he settled everything. And then I spent quite a bit of time chatting with Robert. Apparently we see a lot of things at the same level. He's a pretty nice guy, and we both, uh, have "high self-esteem" (see Psych measure of the term). As we were chatting, DB passed by from the lib, and when I wondered why I didn't see him at yesterday's exam he explained that he had taken it earlier. Apparently he too was having scheduling conflicts... The Registrar's office sure treats us "irregular students" worse than the blocked ones... That I can talk to him now DEFINITELY means I'm out of the fatuous love (passion+commitment) phase, as I told Robert... but hell, my self-esteem is still pretty high. (Laugh) Someday I'd like to turn my one-sided relationship into a mutual affectionate love (intimacy+commitment). Really. Except, of course, that bitch (as I teased him) is leaving next year... Joanie's right, my heart is hopping (rabbit-like) around the globe... *sigh* I was headed back to the dorm some half an hour later or so when I met Pam and ...uh, I forget her name; Sai's "girlfriend" - Migoy, what's her name again? ahh yes, Reg - anyway, they were at the Smocket, and I think I called Pam "Kae"... oh well. I suck at names. I guess they thought I said "Hey" because they waved. I hopped over just to ask if they'd already studied for retellings, and guess who they were chatting to? - DB. *cheshire grin* Not that we had any prolonged conversation, but you know me, a sentence or two makes me high. It was a bit disappointing for me when they stood up (they were going to Pulan's exam). The reason? When they said, "You guys will be taking Pulan next year", DB grinned and said, "I won't be here". I sure hope he was kidding. Now that I'm on better terms with the block, I was hoping we could get along.
Even though I don't have a helpless giddy schoolgirl crush on him anymore, that doesn't make him any less attractive. And now that I actually have the power of speech back around him - it's taken me a year to acclimatize dammit! - I don't have to make a fool out of myself around him any more. I can actually do something about my, er, "situation". SO WHY DOES HE HAVE TO LEAVE NOW?!?!?!
(...They always leave, don't they?)
Three more days. Two more exams. And then, sweet, sweet freedom!