I dare you to eat this!

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We were eating in this fancy restaurant and my sister challenged me into something that I promised myself, I WILL NEVER DO AGAIN.

We have just finished dessert and were waiting for the bill. My sister pondered around the almost empty plates with a metal fork. She speared a little red chili pepper and twirled it around. I watched her with an indifferent face, having nothing else to say.
She instinctively waved the fork to my face and told me, “I dare you to eat this.”

With my right brow raised, I grabbed the fork from her and looked at it closely.
“Go on, take a bite.” she repeated. I smiled at her remark. I’ve always loved challenges and a good dare excites me all the time. I thought about Reese Witherspoon’s movie ‘Vanity Fair’ and how she ate the same red chili pepper in one part of the movie. Of course I knew that they didn’t make the actress eat a REAL red chili but I wondered myself, what would it taste like?

It’s as if my mom heard my thoughts and she told me not to eat it.
“It’s a burning sensation.” she told us but my sister and I ignored her remark.
It was stupid and reckless for my part and perfectly funny for my sister, because you would think that I’m a fool to take up a dare like that even without a price.
“Are you nuts? You’re going to eat that? Do you want your tongue burned?!” My inner self hissed at me.
“This is once in a lifetime. Take a chance. Go on. Taste it.” my instincts told me and I didn’t need another minute. So I took an innocent bite then I stayed apathetic for a few seconds but after that, I was spitting and choking with a face that I dare not to describe.

Then for the next twenty minutes or so, I was literally whining and cursing the red chili pepper and my sister who was laughing at me. I did everything; I ate spoonfuls of ice cream which helped a lot but only for a few seconds.
The burning sensation was really tormenting. I looked at my tongue closely at the mirror and saw that it was actually damaged.
I saw something that looked like a burned layer of the tongue or something and it really hurt a lot. I put ice cubes in my mouth and it was a big relief from time to time, but the pain just kept on coming back.

It was a silly yet horrible experience.

Now that I know how red chili peppers taste like, I wouldn’t let another one of those little red veggies near my tongue again. Never.
And also, I’ve learned to listen to my mother and gain some common sense.
Though I knew it all along that it has a burning sensation, I didn’t listen to my sensible self.
Sometimes it’s really absurd to follow your instincts. I learned that the hard way. 

When orange fuses with blue...

This one is a double quatrain poem we were asked to make in English class.

The orange sky fuses with blue
Seagulls fly all over the view
Someone is sitting just under a tree
Gazing at the sun as it outlines the sea

The heavens looked weak and so full of bliss
She blinked when the cold wind blew her a kiss
The red light tinted her shining eyes and hair
But deep down inside she felt a sinking despair



-I did some comparisons between Sunset and a hard-to-explain kind of feeling.
:D
Regards to Panyarak Roque and Vivien Beduya!

Confessions of a Bookworm!

Today, when young people are asked about their hobbies, the usual answers are as follows. Playing computer games, watching movies, hanging out with friends and all sort of ‘cool’ stuff we love. Just as strange and common as it may sound, we like all of these activities because we feel like we are in a different place whenever we do it.

When you play Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection in your computer or PSP, you feel as if you’re Lili, Asuka or Sergei Dragunov or whoever character you are playing. You even shout and make funny faces of victory or defeat when you kick your opponent or vice versa. The same way when you’re watching Twilight, it’s as if Edward Cullen is saying those romantic words to you and you’re melting in the cinema seat. It’s as if you’re battling another ravenous vampire who instinctively wants to hurt your vulnerable girlfriend and you stuff handfuls of popcorn in your mouth after another.
I personally have to say that I also enjoy those activities, but making them my passion and hobby is another thing. My main and personal hobby is reading. So your reactions might sound like “whaaaat…?” or “Huh.” or even “Ew.” but I tell you that if I can think of anything that I’d love to do better than reading books, then I won’t even know myself.

I’m telling you this, not because I want you to know who I am. I tell you this because I want to share with you the power of literature and how it can make a great impact in your life. I still remember the first book I ever read. It was a small pocket book of Snow white and the seven dwarfs, not the Disney version though. I read that the Queen disguised as three different characters. The first time, the queen was a woman, selling colorful ribbons and sashes. Snow White let her tie a pink velvet ribbon around her neck to see how it would look. Then the queen in disguise pulled the ribbon too tight, Snow white was suffocated and fell to the ground. When the dwarfs found her on the floor, they untied the ribbon so she could breathe and by the morning, she was well again... (I know. It’s impossible but it’s a fairytale anyway!) The queen disguised herself once more as a kind old lady selling combs. When Snow white “…ran the comb to her long black ebony hair, she nearly died…” for the comb was poisonous.

Then, as the traditional version, the queen’s next disguise was the poor old woman, selling apples. So then, Snow white took a bite. The dwarfs found her lifeless a little later that evening. I’m sure seldom of you heard of that version of the fairytale but I’d like to share to you how I felt while reading that book as a child. I felt as if I was being deprived from oxygen as the queen tied the ribbon around Snow white’s waist.

But of course, I did not pass out! I felt really uneasy when she combed her hair with the poisonous brush. I imagined it was really acidic and it burned right on her scalp and some of her hair came out of their roots, though the book didn’t say anything like that. The weird part for me was when the Prince came for Snow White’s grave, and when his servants were carrying the coffin, the morsel of apple fell out from Snow white’s mouth and she was alive in an instant.
I think some of you might refer to the story as dumb, stupid and absurd. As for me, these stories do not teach little children idiotic facts and incidents that they would believe that dead people can live again, once a piece of apple falls out from their mouth. And also, I am not telling you to go and buy a book of Snow white and the seven dwarfs. Oh, no. I just want to say that I believe these stories teach us how to work with our imaginations and test how far we could analyze the story by using our own thoughts and perceptions. Challenging your mind’s eye instead of callusing your fingers with computer buttons and controllers is so much better and more worthwhile, I really believe that.

I’ve read too many books, I lost count already. But I know I’d never get tired of reading those legendary stories that would mark in my mind all my life. I do not use this hobby as something to brag about. I use this as my strength and comfort zone when I need to get away from the loud growl of uncertainties in my life as a teenager. When I enter this incredible fantasy world, I feel like nothing could go wrong. But living in a fantasy world is never sensible. Using the pleasure I get from reading is enough for me to face the realities of my life and consider them as my strength and confidant.


I think most people would prefer spending their money on overpriced movie tickets or hours of unlimited computer slots. But if you could just try to use the money for something extraordinary, then go to the nearest bookstore and buy a novel or if you’re thrifty, spend your time in the school library.
You might just find another way to spend your weekends by then.
Read Hearty!

SWEET LIP BALM

CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHERE TO BUY THE HERSHEY'S LIP BALM?
I've been up to my eyes trying to locate those kind of lip balms!:( just look at those pictures.
I want to collect dozen of Chocolate lip balms, even the Reese's Cups flavor BLAAAHH!! I'M DESPERATE. I'M ON MY KNEES. i have to have one!!

where the hell can i buy it in the Philippines? This sucks. I think i can only buy it online!!!! BLAH!!!!
WHO KNOWS WHERE?? TELL ME...:D

i love it!:(

The Sound of Defeat

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Yesterday, Oct 24, 2009.

The Bedans were quieter than usual. Their Cubs were defeated. The San Sebastian people entered the Araneta Coliseum, coming across the triumphant people of Letran leaving the coliseum after the junior’s game.

Their crowd cheered, “Go Baste! Beat San Beda!” (tssh!) But the Bedans weren’t discouraged. It was after all, a championship game and San Beda was champion for years. When the game started, the red lions roared. They were leading. The golden stags never stood a chance until after the half time. The people were in hysterics. We were shouting and cheering for the Lions were winning.

People in either red or white shirts raised their arms and waved. The wave only happens if the Red Lions or Red cubs are already on the lead. But by the third period, the golden stags started to pace up.

They caught up with the Lions soon enough but the lions were still on the lead, coming up with three or two point shots. During the fourth period, the San Sebastians were standing and jumping while shouting their cheers. Some of the Bedans were either furious at the referee for giving out TONS of free throw shots for Baste and most of the Bedans were still cheering, trusting the Red Lions to bring home the Bacon for tonight even though the Stags were leading.

Many attempts of shooting 3 points failed, many rebounds were botched. The people in red shirts were already discouraged and nervous. I had this heavy feeling, knowing that they were too close to winning just moments ago.

There were 2 minutes left when the crowd of Bedans roared with anger. Red Lion number 16, John Hermida was injured. I’m not sure what really happened but I’m sure it was the fault of a San Sebastian player. He had a cut near his left eye and it was really bleeding continuously. Even far away, we could see the red gush of blood on his head.

The Bedans roared louder. Two empty bottles of water were thrown in the court. I’d say they should have been aiming for either the stupid referee or the golden stag players.

By the end of the game, some couldn’t bear to speak or even watch closely. The Bedans didn’t really expect some reverence from opponents such as the San Sebastian people, but we really expected justice from the Referees of Araneta coliseum.

Must I be informal; yes I did some salty sailor talk during and after the game. Many people saw, even last Thursday that the referees were bias. They gave out a lot of free throw shots and implemented offenses from the red lions.

Great players like the Red lions, especially number eleven, Antonio Caram tried their best to win the NCAA crown but nevertheless, the Golden Stags won eventually. The stags gained the victory with 15 points; 76-61. Red Lions, you did your best. We saw what you had to deal with, even last Thursday October 22, when you managed two overtimes and the unfair free throws that the referee gave the stags to win against us.

Let the Lions roar, there’s always next year. Blahh. Let them keep the championship just this ONCE. Let them win today and fight tomorrow.

The Lions were champions for years; Bedans won’t let people like San Sebastians bring home the victory they don’t even deserve again. There’s always next season. Let’s swallow defeat and roar louder. Animo San Beda and that in all things, God may be glorified.

ANIMO RED CUBS! Beat the Letran Squires this coming Thursday, October 29.

GO SAN BEDA FIGHT!!!

Travel to Neverland Part 3

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*The cold wind blowing my hair away from my face left me feeling unstably conscious when Peter looked at me. Even with the sky so dark and spooky, I saw the same glimmer in his eyes that I love the most. He was staring with intensity as we were floating in the air. I kept my eyes toward the dim light of the full moon and away from him. Not that I don’t want to look at him, though. It’s just that I don’t stare that much. They say strange things happen during full moon and I think this is strange enough. Flying with Peter pan and Tinker Bell at 2 am in the morning is actually as weird as anything could ever be.

“We need to go faster.” Peter said quietly. I reluctantly let go of his hand and tried to fly faster, forcing my whole body to balance in the mid air. Flying is not really as easy. The wind blowing against your body is just like under water when water current is flowing against you.

For my first time of flying, I didn’t actually do it good. Being clumsy on the ground doesn’t help being graceful in the air.
Peter was a meter ahead of me when I lost my concentration along with my balance. The harsh, cold wind pushed me away and I felt a painful thump at the back of my head when I hit a building wall. Peter was instantly beside me wearing a look as if he’s concerned at the same time, trying not to laugh.

“Gee! Flying certainly doesn’t fit me well.” I mumbled as I rub the back of my head and Peter held my shoulders for support. “You shouldn’t let go of my hand anymore, then.” he said as he pat my back. He was forcing himself not to laugh but I saw that the corners of his mouth were already twitching. I bit my lower lip and squinted at him.
”Yeah. I won’t.” I told him with a smirk and I wrapped my fingers around his hand.
After a few minutes or so, I was really getting tired of flying and I was already scowling.
Peter noticed it and he frowned too.
“Uh-oh. We’re not even there yet but you don’t like it already.” he said with a shrill voice.
“I’m tired.”
“Lean on me.” he opened his arms willingly.
“I’ve been leaning on you since I bumped my head on that stupid wall.” I told him with impatience and I saw hurt in his eyes. Maybe I should learn how to speak more nicely.
“Sorry…what I mean is----“he cut me short and he gave me a smirk that left me mystified. He told me, “Close your eyes.”
“Why?”
He bit his lip. “Just close your eyes.”
When I opened them, I saw a beautiful carpet floating in the air with us. It was moving on its own and on one side of the fabric; it looked like it was waving at me.
“Wow…a magic carpet?” I looked at Peter and he winked at me.
I sat on the carpet and I felt like I sat on a hammock, only it was more steady and comfortable. I looked down at the scary view of the town from above, just like looking from an airplane window, only different. It was more overwhelming; more beautiful.

Peter sat down beside me and the carpet started to move forward. He took my hand and smiled at me and patted me on the back.
“Thanks” I said, “The view is so beautiful from up here.” I told him quietly.
“Yeah I know. Wait ‘till we get to Neverland. It’ll be beyond beautiful.”
I nodded and my mind suddenly changed. Would I stay at Neverland forever? Will I ever see my family again? Will I ever hang out with my friends again? What? What? What?!

“Are you okay?” I heard Peter ask me curiously as he took my hand. I looked at him and I felt a stab of pain again. How could I ever let him go? I can never do that. Never…I thought. Neverland…Gee!
“Hey!” he said a little louder and he poked my arm. I widened my eyes and kept quiet.
“Forget them, Joan.” he whispered as he moved closer. I looked at him with sad eyes and I gripped the sleeve of my sweater.
“Forget them all.” he said again.
I looked away quietly and I breathed out a lungful of air.
We didn’t say anything while we were riding the carpet. I looked up and down; I fiddled with the locks of my hair. I stretched my arms, I swung my legs; I clicked my tongue; I moved my head up and down.
Peter was just sitting on the carpet beside me. He was looking straight ahead. Once in a while, he would play his pan flute and I would see Tinker Bell dancing in the air again. It was really cool.

I reached to my pocket and then I cursed loudly. “Oh fudge! I left my cell phone!”
Peter stopped playing and looked at me. “You what?”
“I left my freakin’ phone!” I yelled hysterically. I reached to my other pocket. “No! I also left my Ipod! For the love of God!”
I heard Peter laugh and I sneered at him. “Do you have any more of this magic carpet? A heavier one. So that I could whack you in the head with it, like a baseball bat…”
“Hey, that would be harsh.” he reached beside him and produced a heavy looking camera. My eyes widened and I keenly took it from him.
”No...Way” I breathed. “This is a Canon Digital Rebel XSi!” I cried!
“Yep.”
“You’re kidding. It’s worth $600!” I cried.
“I got it from Neverland.” he told me as he started to play the pan flute.
“There are shops there???”
He stopped playing and looked at me with a smile.
“Yep. Free. No need to buy. Just take.” he said as he shrugged.
What?!! Did I hear him right??!!
“What? They really are free, Jo. Why the hell are you looking at me like that?” he said with a face.

My mouth twitched to the side. “Are we there yet???” I asked him, looking at the dark sky and shining stars.
“Hmmm…maybe” he said with squinting eyes toward the sky, “We’re near the space. We should get to Milky way faster this time.”
I widened my eyes, “Milky Way?!” Peter nodded and smiled at me.
I bit my lip and I felt my cheeks blush when he ran his fingers through my brunette hair.
“Are you tired? Do you want to sleep?” he asked with kindness and concern that left me feeling hot and cold at the same time.
“Uhhm” I smiled, “No. I don’t want to sleep.”
“Are you hungry?”
“No.”
His smile disappeared and he bit his lip once again. “Are you really mad at me? I could take you back to your room if you don’t want to go anymore.”
My mouth hung open when he said those words, I was waiting for him to laugh or smile or even poke me playfully and tell me he was joking.
But I looked at his green eyes and I understood that he was serious.
I considered the choice for a moment. It was the moment of truth. It’s the chance to choose; maybe for the last time.
I have to say the right response. I felt really nervous, not knowing what I really want to do. I could hear the words Peter told me earlier. “Forget them. Forget them all.”

Those words echoed in my head like a haunting yet soothing message of security and advice.
I reached to the necklace around my neck. I felt the leaf pendant and the perfect lining. I looked at the SLR camera and the magic carpet. I looked at the beautiful sky and Tinker Bell who was sprinkling gold dust all over the air that left a sweet smelling scent. I looked at the dark sky with shining stars like gold nuggets in a dark cave. I looked at the Full moon. It’s as if he smiled willingly to me. I looked at Peter pan’s innocent eyes. They were so safe, mysterious, magical, overwhelming and breathtaking. Not even Stephenie Meyer’s Edward Cullen can compare to Peter Pan.
I breathed deeply and when I finally found my voice I took Peter’s hand and dug deep into what my heart really wanted.

“I can’t wait to get to Neverland” I told him with an honest smile, “I want to be with you.”
I finally saw his captivating smile that reached his eyes and when they do, they always sparkle. He gripped my hand tighter and I felt a huge wave of relief. I was about to take a picture of the view with the camera when the carpet suddenly stopped violently and I lost control of my hands. A gush of wind blew against us and I grabbed the camera before it toppled over. I heard Peter laugh amusingly.

Suddenly, there was a very bright light coming from afar that almost blinded us. I raised my hand to my forehead to cover them. Peter did the same.

“What is it?” I asked him, “What’s happening?”
The cold wind blew against us once again, it was cold and it had a sharp force.
“We are getting out now!” he shouted at me above the noise of the wind.
“Getting out where??”
“Out of the planet Earth! We are entering the outer space. You know! Near Milky way!” he yelled at me with excitement.
I felt a chill of enthusiasm and I also felt nervous. I’ve never been out of the planet before.

Cold and sparkly air blew against us again, this time with the strongest force.
Peter held my hand tighter, a sign that told me not to worry.
I breathed a sign of relief. The carpet suddenly fastened the speed and then I was screaming with joy as we advanced toward the ends of the earth and into a new world beyond my imagination.


(to be continued)

Travel to Neverland PART 2

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I don't think anyone is actually waiting for this second part of my fantasy err... journey to Neverland with Peter Pan but i still want to post it anyway. :)

PART 2
I was staring at the window, with my fingers dangling the dainty pendant of the necklace Peter pan gave me last night. I inhaled deeply and thought about how he could never come back. Not even tonight. I stomped my left foot and shifted my weight.
“Hey what are you doing? Line up outside!” I heard an angry voice of a student martial across the room and I stared for a moment but I walked out the door anyway. My hands have not let go of the beautiful pendant around my neck. It marked as my shelter; a sense of comfort. It was also a deliberate sense of distress. It’s as if a clear warning of departure. It’s like a gift for me now and a goodbye present in the near future. I was absolutely certain that Peter pan would keep his promise that he would come back tonight, but something is holding back my confidence for he told me twice that he might not be able to come back one night. It worries me that he would finally get tired of waiting for my decision and he would just leave and never visit me again. My thoughts are painful to me because he’s a dear friend of mine… and perhaps even more than that.
“Let us all remember that we are in the most holy presence of God. In the name of the…”
The leader with the microphone started the prayer and I was continuously stroking the smooth surface of the pendant on my neck. “Hands on your side…” Our teacher mumbled and the order was obviously for me. I bit my lip and set aside my right hand and when I did, I also forced myself to set aside Peter pan until tonight when he promised he would come back. And I know he keeps his promises.

“Are you still there? Hello?” my friend Kerstin repeated in a monotonously irritated tone.
“Huh? …yeah...” I steadily said in the transmitter of my phone and remained silent. “You’re busy aren’t you?” she asked, “Hey, did you attend the Book lovers’ club this afternoon?”
“I think…” yeah, I think that Peter wouldn’t come. He would never come back. He’s pissed at me and I won’t see him again…
“You ‘think’?” she asked once again, she sounded even more confused this time.
“Uh… let me call you back. Our dinner’s ready.” I told her with a quick assurance that I don’t really have the appetite to eat dinner tonight.
“Okay. Bye.” Kerstin said politely.
I meant to tell her “goodbye” too. But something struck me. In a few hours or so, if Peter pan doesn’t come, I can assure myself that it is really “goodbye” for us. I put the receiver down with a loud crack.
“Dinner’s ready!” my mom shouted from the kitchen.
“No thanks!” I yelled back.
“Huh?”
“I’m not hungry!! ...No thanks.” I shouted from my room and closed the door.

I tried to gather my thoughts as I opened my file case to finish the science take-home quiz.
I scanned the first page and arrived at number 6. “What do you call the chemical signs made by the endocrine system…”
I searched my thoughts for an answer but I did not hesitate to open my Biology book and look for the certain one.
A couple of hours passed…and another…and another.
I was feeling really tired and sleepy. I didn’t even bother to put away my things from my desk. I went to the bathroom, brushed my teeth and washed my tired eyes. I changed
clothes and turned off the lights. I sought my way to the night lamp and flipped it open.
I looked at the window one last time before I drifted asleep.


Maybe after a couple of hours or so, I was awaken by a familiar sound. I stirred from my sleep and sat up. I rubbed my eyes to wake up my nerves. The sound continued and I was merely trying to clear my eyes for I was having a blurry vision of my room. The sound of a beautiful melody calmed down my tension. I thought I was still asleep until I saw a glimmer of yellow pixie dust trail across my room.

I looked over at the end of my bed and there I saw a silhouette of a boy of my age sitting on the floor, his legs were curled under him and he was playing a pan flute.

“Peter! You came back!” I cried happily with the excitement forming in my mind.
He stopped playing and looked at me. He stood up and by the light of my night lamp; I finally saw his captivating smile that I was missing so much.

“You’re awake.” he said with a crooked grin, “How are you? Sorry I’m late. I had to find Tinker Bell in the forest. She was trailing Tarzan and Jane across the river bend. ”
I laughed quietly, “And I thought you weren’t going to come.”
“You didn’t wait up for me.” he said with a skeptic tone, little did I know that he was just teasing me. He walked closer and I stood up from my unmade bed. He took my hand and pulled me to the window like what he always does.
He didn’t say anything the whole time we were staring out the window. The cold breeze blew in my room and I shivered in the cold. I pulled my hand away, “Hold on.”
I walked to my dresser drawer and put on a beige sweater around me. Peter Pan was staring at me with a queer expression.

“What?” I asked him hesitantly. He shook his head and pulled out his pan flute from his pocket. He started to play the tune that we both love. Tinker Bell suddenly flew in front of me and waved her tiny hand. “Oh. Hi, Tink.” I said merrily then she danced away with the gold dust from her wings.
I strutted to my piano and lifted the lid. I placed my fingers on the keys and was about to play along when Peter pan stopped. I lifted my head and he was beside me in an instant. “I learned how to play that last night.” he said in a solemn voice.
“You play the piano now? Let me hear.” I said with the nicest smile I could ever manage.

I moved to the right and let him sit beside me. He placed his pale hands on the keys and for a second he seemed to be recalling his notes. I smiled and waited patiently.
“Uh. Okay, here goes.” he muttered and he began to play a couple of melodies carefully, trying not to make mistakes and when he stopped I gave him a cynical look. He looked back at me and smiled. “I don’t remember anymore…Sorry.” he ran his fingers through his hair. I was also smiling with the most honest appreciation I could ever express. Maybe this is what I really wanted. Maybe I don’t really have to think twice about leaving for Neverland. Maybe I really want to stay young with Peter.
I took his hand. “Teach me how to fly.” I told him with a certain voice.
“Teach you? Now?” he was taken aback by my sudden decree, “You would come with me tonight?” his eyes sparkled with certain happiness.
“Just teach me how, Pete.” I said once again. I stood up from the piano stool and faced him. I didn’t want to make assumptions and promises right now. I just want to spend more time with him. I don’t want to waste any time. He shrugged, “Well, alright.” he then took hold of my hand gently and led me to the window once again. He blew a whistle with his thumb and forefinger and Tinker Bell was suddenly flying towards us.
Tinker Bell raised her hand in a salute and Peter pan nodded playfully. He pointed at me and Tink just smiled and flew over my head. In a quick period of time I was showered with gold pixie dust. It even smelled like sweet chocolate and it was really frosty. It was really a weird feeling when the sparkling dust dissolved but I felt like nothing changed.

“Now what?” I looked at Peter who was watching me vigorously. He grinned and his eyes are now full of life. “Now we fly.” he took my hand in his and looked at me.
“Are you ready?” he asked me with excitement and curiosity.
“For what?” I raised an eyebrow nervously and I was feeling a churn in my stomach.
“You ready to fly?” he repeated patiently.
My heart started beating triple time. I gulped and said, “I-I don’t know.”
Peter sensed my anxiety and led me three steps away from the window.
“It all depends, Joan. Do you trust me?” he asked me as he looked right in to my eyes.
I bit my lip.
“Yes, I do…” I told him with an uneasy feeling. I was still nervous.
“Really?” he asked me again just to make sure. When I nodded, he pulled me by the window and asked me to step on the window pane. I looked at him nervously.
“Don’t worry. I got you. I won’t let go.” he assured me with an honest smile; A smile that gave me safety and assurance that I did the right thing to trust him on this. I held my breath as we counted to three. One…Two…Three…
And suddenly I was flying in the air with Peter’s hand and mine clasped together.

(To be continued)

Blood Typing

Have you read Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight? (Duh!) Of course you have! Well, do you remember the chapter when they were blood typing in Biology class and Bella got nauseous and she fainted at the sight of blood? Actually, the contrary happened to me when I had my first blood typing.

Last Thursday in my Biology class, I experienced my first blood typing. (Redundant already?)

I’d say it’s one of the coolest days of my life because I’ve wanted to know my blood type for so long. I was so excited so naturally, I volunteered to be our group’s representative. In one group, a student would get his/her finger pricked and then blood typing time! We had the Antigen A and B serum in small bottles. The one was blue and the other was yellow. They were two students ahead of me. When it was my turn, I willingly turned my left hand which is the one that I barely use (I’m right handed) and the ring finger which we seldom use whereas the skin would be sinuous for an easy puncture.

My teacher’s first attempt to prick my finger wasn’t successful so it left a speck of agony, then he tried again and I saw blood… blood… blood …blood… blood.

My blood smelled great. I tasted my own blood once when I was trying to break a Pilot pen into two when I was angry but I ended up cutting my palm. I licked the blood and It tasted like…sweet rust. If you think its disgusting…well that’s not my problem. So anyway, maybe my blood was not willing to flow out of my ring finger because my teacher had to pinch it really hard just to get five drops of blood. On one slide, two drops were placed on each surface. And then on the other slide, three drops were placed on one side and then you would do something really cool to spread the blood all over the slide to see in the microscope. About the two drops of blood on the other slide, we put Anti- A serum on one drop of blood and Anti- B on the other. After a while, both of the blood drops were clotting so it meant that my blood type is AB, because my blood reacted with the Anti A and Anti B serum meaning, they both have the same antigens. I once bought a cute little key chain of a blood pack with the blood type AB but I didn’t actually know my blood type yet. Ever since we had that lesson when I was in sixth grade, I wanted to have the Universal Recipient type of blood. So now that I know that I’m actually Type AB, I’m going to go back to Toy Kingdom and buy another one of that blood pack key chain with the blood type AB, because I lost the one I bought many months ago. (Hmm…)

So that’s that.

Oh yeah! While my teacher was squeezing my blood to the slide, one or two of my classmates who were observing, knocked off the bottle of Anti A serum (or was it Anti B?). The yellow liquid was spilled on the part of the table. I think a 10ml bottle of that chemical costs Php25, 000 and more than half of the serum was spilled.

And also, I realized that I was actually shaky when I already saw my blood. Getting wounded by accident is entirely different from really constricting the blood out of the flesh. Naturally, a ‘first time’ for something like that would be really nerve-wrecking. Some might find it too sissy and funny when someone is scared of blood typing or even just blood but it’s alright to be scared at first since there’s always a ‘first time’ for everything.

The Soap Factory

I went in this shop with my two sisters when we were looking for a birthday present for our mom.
I went inside and i was amazed. I knew that shop months ago but i never got the chance to enter it until then. It felt like I entered into a magnificent bakery of pastries and cakes. I smelled sweet chocolate and vanilla. I knew they weren't real cakes. The donuts and cupcakes were actually soap.
The shop was "The Soap Factory". Maybe a lot of you know this shop already but it really impressed me. I really look up to the person who created the idea of transforming the use or purpose of soap into something exciting and incredible. The soaps there are actually sold in a high price, but as for me buying one is actually worth it. They're the coolest product I've ever seen. Simple yet amazing. Looking at their products can make your mouth water. They really look like real food and they smell like one too. But be careful not to eat them! http://www.soapfactory.tv/

Teacher Ondoy or Mr. Ketsana

This is the same journal that I've written in my English class about the typhoon with several additional sentences. About the term "Teacher Ondoy", i got it from Ms. Senado, my social studies teacher. I agree with her that the typhoon really taught us a lot of lessons. Here's what i learned from him...

Sept 26
I put down the third book that I've been reading for the past 30 minutes. I looked out the window and saw people who were just letting the water current drag them forward. I could only see their heads up the water. I felt really bad and guilty when i found out that some people lost their homes and i was literally cursing and whining about the loss of electricity and water, but other than that, I enjoyed drinking gallons of hot chocolate (:D) while reading a book.
I guess I should have been thankful that the water only entered our front room and the flood inside our house was actually 2% of the water inside our neighbor's house that reached the fifth step of their staircase.
I was in a bad mood when i had to share the bed with my sister because for some invalid reasons, my bed was drenched with dirty water. I thought maybe Mother nature filled a barrel of flood water from outside and poured it over my bed while laughing viciously.
I don't like it when i have to share the bed with someone. I want the bed on my own, but i had to share it then, otherwise i would have slept on the floor. (If you find me melodramatic, i don't care!)

It was the first night that i slept without brushing my teeth or washing my face. That's the worst part. Besides being extremely hot, i also felt really sticky and dirty. :|
Several times, my sister shushed and hissed at me to settle down because i was tossing and turning on my limited part of the bed.
I was in the verge of sleeping when suddenly loud-mouthed dogs started to bark and shout at each other. I opened my red eyes, (maybe they were red) and silently cursed. In my mind, I was already planning gruesome ways to torture an animal like that if I'd get the chance. I was thinking of stuffing a large piece of stone in his noisy mouth, sticking pins dipped in hot oil in his eyes and pulling his tail so hard that it would snap away from his body.

Joke! :) I'm not that violent! I wouldn't do that to anyone. But I was like, "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" i chanted those words several times and tried to block my ears with a pillow but their barks were in the maximum volume.
After a few minutes, when i was already widely awaken by adrenaline, they finally shut their mouths. I muttered a 'Thank you' message to God and tried to sleep once again. This time I succeeded.

Little did I know that while I was mentally trying to destroy every bad thing in my mind(huh.), Many people were actually dying. Many people were actually stranded in the roofs of their houses. Most of them didn't really experience the kind of luxury that I had that night. All of them were not even dry, they were drenched with water, anxiety, fear and stress.

These are the things that I've learned from Mr. Ketsana:

First of all- Water is a very precious human resource. We should not take it for granted when we have full abundance of water. We SHOULD conserve it. Think of it as a limited blessing that we should use wisely, otherwise it would run out. Every drop counts.

Second- To spend a day without having any problems except brushing my teeth and sharing the same bed with my sister is actually boring. It was an easy and extremely boring day for me and I did not enjoy it that much. Not going to school is actually a very lame thing to do. I realize that I should appreciate going to school everyday even if sometimes I really hate it. Therefore, We should always be thankful when we are idle or bored, because being bored is being free from all the worries and anxieties in this world.

Third- Bad times are just temporary. We should learn how to say "Things could be worse." in times of trouble. That night, I thought it was the worst thing that ever happened to me, but i didn't know that millions of tragedies that night happened to other people and it could have happened to me as well. God just blessed me enough to give me such a speck of a problem.
Even if trouble blocks our way, it would turn away soon and we would have the chance to get over it. Just as good times turn to good memories, bad times would eventually turn into lessons as well. There are times that we feel like giving up but there would be a time that we can look back and just laugh about it.

To all the Filipinos that were affected by the typhoon Ondoy, I pray for all of you. I know you can get past that because I believe Filipinos can always get up whenever they fail to stand on their feet once in a while.

I'll try to remember that Experience is the best teacher.

Newborn Blogger

Blog, Blog, Blog, Blog, Blog, Blog........

Long time ago, the word 'blog' appealed to me as a blue frog wearing star-shaped sunglasses who's jumping on a trampoline.....hmmm...and I still don't know why.

But i knew what a blog really is, i just didn't know what's the purpose of it. But now i know.
I never knew how to make a blog until the "how-to" part was introduced to us in my T.L.E class.
My first thoughts were, "Wow...That's so awesome. I'm excited."

Then I went home and I signed up here and there, made some arrangements and the finished rest of the procedure. After choosing a boring template (It's not like I had many incredible choices!), I finally posted my first article which is also perfectly boring! (I'm referring to "My confessions"). Then I saw my blog and I felt really troubled. How could I make people visit my blog? Suppose i should get down on my knees and beg them to open this link and spread the word. I repeatedly told all of the best people i know to visit my blog. I sent lots horny-corny group messages through yahoo! mail and through text messages, which i think why most of my friends were annoyed. I even signed in Yahoo! chat rooms and sent my link to other people from all over the world. But being in a dangerous and evil world of the modern internet, nobody bothered to open a blog of a complete stranger. I mean, even I wouldn't do that! But I realized that blogging is also a form of challenge and social awareness and that yours would never never never never never never ever be visited by many people unless you do something really surprising. It's either you do something foolish or something incredibly wise. But I think there's more to a blog than just simply letting people know what's this and what's that. There's more to a blog than just to write all of your thoughts and daily experiences, words of wisdom, frustrations, bad memories, happy moments and etc.

I guess writing stuff and publishing it here in blog posts is a really hard thing to do. It's hard to impress the tough audience of people out there. Many bad influences, rumors and outrageous stuff can spread all over the world in a snap. Blogging is an experience that allows us free ourselves of the usual and typical rituals of our daily lives. In blogging, there should not be any pretensions. I believe we post our thoughts here not to impress or humiliate other people but to express ourselves in a different way that we have never expressed before. I believe talking or meeting people personally is entirely different from not seeing them and being free to do everything we want as we communicate. I learned that blogging is just showing your real self. Reading someone's blog can help you determine what kind of person he or she is. To be a blogger is to be able to accept yourself and tell the whole world about it.

Blog, Blog, Blog, Blog, Blog......

Travel to Neverland

(http://gallery.photo.net/photo/4516021-lg.jpg)
FANTASY 1:
on the second thought, let's make this "PART 1" so that it would appear more compatible.
so...
PART 1:
Never land.I think you've heard of this before. I'm not pertaining to Michael Jackson's Neverland home. I mean the Neverland, where Peter Pan, Captain Hook and the lost boys lived. (before Captain Hook was eaten by the crocodile and the Lost boys were adopted by Mr and Mrs Darling)
So let's start from scratch. I heard a strange knock on my window. I was hesitant when i unlocked the handle and then i was surprised and happy to see Peter pan again floating in the air with little Tinker Bell flying around his head. So the sparkling glow of Tinker Bell's fairy dust sent a wave of enthusiasm and excitement all over me. I let them in and a beautiful melody began to fill my room in an instant. I overlooked at Peter playing his pan flute. I opened up my white grand piano and sat down to play along. Then, Tinker Bell danced in the air and my room was suddenly showered with pixie dust. Tink was really enjoying the beautiful tunes we were playing so she turned around like a beautiful ballet dancer. She turned around again and again and again and again and.... I giggled hysterically when she became dizzy and collapsed on my feather pillow. Peter Pan stopped playing and told me with a soft voice, "Come with us to Never land."
I looked up from my piano keys and smiled, "How?"
He laughed, "We'll fly there, of course!"
I stood up from my piano and closed the top. "I don't know how to fly, Peter."
"I'll teach you how." he said ardently. He took my hand and dragged me by the window.
"You see there, beyond that moon and sky, the Neverland awaits you. You'll never grow old there." he told me with great pride.
I shook off his hand and walked to my dresser. "I don't know. Maybe growing up is not really that bad."
Peter didn't say anything for a moment. "I can't keep visiting you like this. One night i wouldn't be able to see you anymore. You have to come."
I wrapped my fingers around my yellow hairbrush and dropped them hard.
"There are Pirates there." he told me hopefully.
"Really?" I looked back at him with a smile.
"Yes.' with the sudden interest in my eyes, he flew in an instant beside me. 'You'll see Captain Jack Sparrow."
"I thought that's Captain Hook, not Sparrow." i said with a face.
"Anything is possible in Never land, Joan." he told me.
I can sense the excitement in his voice. He was telling me the truth. Of course, I know that Never land is the most wonderful place a young girl could ever dream of.
"You'll see Mermaids. And all of them would be very nice and welcoming." Peter spoke again.
"I know everyone would be nice there, Peter' I croaked 'But you can't convince me to come tonight. There's so much work to do here. In fact, I haven't finished my homework yet. My teacher would be cross."
Peter looked at me skeptically and said, "In Never land you won't have to do any homework. You won't have to go to school, you won't have to deal with teachers there. It's a good place to have fun everyday."
I nodded as I brushed my hair.
"There's a big library there waiting for you." Peter told me quietly.
That struck me.
"Library?" I looked at him.
"Yes. Approximately 290 shelves full of books.' he said with a smile, 'not to mention the Nicholas Sparks collection in hardbound copies."
I gasped, "No way! How did you get those copies?"I exclaimed.
"I told you, Anything is possible in Never land."
I considered that for a moment. "You're telling the truth, aren't you?"
"Of course I am! I wouldn't make up all of these just to make you come. They're real and they're for you." he took my hand and gave me something. He enclosed my fingers and when i opened them, i saw a beautiful necklace gold chain with a perfectly carved leaf made of jade stone with an emerald lining.
"Think about it, Joan. We'll be back tomorrow night." He said before he flew up with Tink following after him. I was staring at him with deep thoughts in my head. He placed one foot on the window pane and looked back at me,
"I'll be waiting, okay? Think it over. But one night, I won't be back, you know that." he said with a sound of solitude and sincerity.
I grasped the Leaf pendant he gave me and I just nodded. I couldn't find the words to even reply to what he just said.
He gave me one last look, and then he took off with Tinker Bell's trail of golden pixie dust behind.
I walked to the window and looked at the pale full moon. I muttered a silent prayer that they would be back and hopefully I could finally make the right decision. To stay here and grow up or come with Peter to Never land where I'd never have to worry about growing up and facing the problems of life. I closed the window and walked over to my desk and finished the homework that's left for me tonight. Before turning off the night lamp, I looked at the beautiful necklace Peter gave me. I smiled sheepishly and grasped it harder. I enclosed my right hand and placed the necklace next to my heart.

(to be continued:)

My confessions

The following may include my hobbies, my interests, my deepest secrets, my personal opinons, my weird quirks and my open thoughts. Sharing this is like exhaling out a lungful of air out of my system.


I love to read. I'm a booklover. I love all the stuff that i read, all the novels, short stories and poems, even quotations. Literature is part of my life. Prose and Poetry are my confidants. As long as I'm breathing in oxygen and breathing out carbon dioxide, Literature will always be part of my life (uhhh)
When i'm feeling frustrated, happy, sad, angry, inspired or romantic, it's best to document every thing on a piece of paper or just plainly type it in microsoft word.
I love Nicholas Sparks, Tess Gerritsen, Mitch Albom, Sophie Kinsella and Carolyn Keene.
I can't type all of the authors that i admire so much so you may refer to my Shelfari account, okay? just search: joan_4122@yahoo.com
:)
I'm not a very loquacious person and for that, i get to express my feeling and thoughts through writing them.
When i need to confess something or say some stuff 'cause i want to, i can do it better if i would write it down on paper but at the least, i can speak up in front of a crowd as well.
Before my 13th birthday, i seriously believed that the real Peter pan would come to my window at night and take me to Neverland where i'd never grow old. Not Peter Pan as in Jeremy Sumpter (the actor in the movie) or the cartoon Peter Pan of Walt Disney. I was kind of expecting a simple boy of my age wearing something cool in green.
So i was devastated when my 13th birthday went on and on, until it was over.
Maybe that signaled the end of my childhood where i finally realized that the Peter Pan i was expecting is fictional. I didn't know that waiting for something or someone that doesn't exist is a very foolish thing to do. As a child, i thought those things would magically create themselves when you really believe that they exist.

(to be continued)