Bye Bye Vacay

It's only yesterday when I found out that the names assigned to tropical cyclones always start with A each year, regardless if the last typhoon's name began with a 'P' or a 'W'. Of course I knew that they are named alphabetically according to the chronological order when they entered the country's area of responsibility--what's the sense of growing up in the province dubbed as Land of the Howling Winds if I didn't? But first typhoon of the year will always get names beginning with the letter A? I was clueless until now. Oh well, hurrah for the new trivia!

I mentioned this because, first, you may not know about it yet and you might, for some odd reason, find this information useful and, second, because Ambo is currently passing through the country, thus the heavy rains and delay of flights. There's nothing that says "your summer is over!" better than 2012's first typhoon on the first day of June. A reminder that, in a few day's time, I will soon be in the city again--back to my study-habit experimentation and in my professors' mercy. But the vacation has done a mighty fine job because I'll be facing the city again with high hopes and motivation, hopefully enough to sustain me until it is time to go back home again.

As usual, this post will be a--surprise, surprise--overview of my vacation! Get used to it, there is no activity I do better than looking back (and writing lists!).

First weeks of April were happily spent with most members of my family. Papa and Mama were home. Ate Glad, Kuya Nel, Lianne and JJ were home. Joy was home. Gwen and Maine spent weeks in Virac since Andrei's birthday until they went back to Manila for Raph's 1st birthday. Ate Yeth and Zye came over for some weeks' visit too. It was really fun! We spontaneously hit the beach almost thrice a week, spent Easter over the farm by holding a picnic, and watched Pasyon with the kids. On Maundy Thursday night, I even experienced the longest bike ride of my life so far: Virac to Batong Paloay Church in San Andres. I was with Kuya Nel, Ate Glad and Joy then. Another milestone, hurrah!

One of our planned beach outings: in Kinaw

With my girlies: Easter picnic at ze farm

Down to Luyang Cave: one stop during my longest bike ride ever

On regular days, Gwen and Maine oftentimes visit us at home and we did some cooking or baking. They will also play with Lianne and JJ (Zye and Ate Yeth already went back to Naga that time) and together, they watch movies. Sometimes, they will even sleep over! *happy tita*

Living the Good, Good Life

One more thing to be happy in ChE: I simply got the best organization!

I am Rhena. Proud KEMer since 09B. ♥

February in a New Fashion

Boom! I realized I didn't write anything about the summary of my February. Since it's almost halfway of March already, I really see no point of writing one anymore. But then again I remembered how great that month was for me and so, yes, endure this post! *evil laugh*

Normally, I dread February. For the past three years of my college life, all emotional and mental stresses are concentrated on this particular month because the sem is neither near the start nor it is near the ending. Exams and requirements pile up and so many things have to be done in so little time. In short, February is my breaking point. Despite all these, I managed because of happy things to look forward to such as Feb 8 which is our anniversary. There's also Valentine's, although I think it's just purely a capitalist idea. This year's February is no different--maybe what changed was how I viewed it. And yes, positivity is the key! I still cried every once in a while because of all the academic pressure (programming! yes, you got that right! plus poor grades. ugh.) but I bounced back faster this time. I still ask why I am in Chem Eng'g but at least now, I have accepted the fact that there's no other way but to learn to love this course and finish it till the last! Heck, I'm in my fourth year now!

I also got by this month with prayers, family, friends and, of course, Bennard. There had been more random bondings with the girls. Mama and Papa learned so many things about cellphone usage which means they called and texted a lot now than before. Bennard introduced me to more distractions to my loneliness (thus, more distractions to my acads as well! HAHA Kidding. I do time management 'noh! Charot.) such as good TV series, films, and books. And most importantly, I faced my fears and studied more. And it really paid off! I was so happy with my exam results in ChE 126 and MBB1. ChE 123 and PI 100 were good enough, but still can do better. ChE 131, that one was a problematic subject, until recently when I got my LE2 papers back and learned that I topped the class. Let's say it was a pivotal point that made me realize... "Perhaps I cannot think of any other course to shift into because I am already in the right one."

Cheers to my most stable February in four years!

Extra Fun on Extra Day of the Year

It's 12:14 in the morning and I am still up even if I got no acad work to do (I do have, actually, but they are not yet due tomorrow hihi), even if I have a 7AM class later. First few minutes of March and I am spending it writing this entry even if I should be sleeping now. Blame it on the blueberry yogurt I have eaten for dessert, I am still up and running until this ungodly hour. And I don't think I will be sleeping anytime soon.

So to make my time worthwhile, I'll just post a recap of how my day went. Or at least the parts I think are eventful for me.

1. Thankful to God because my acad day wasn't that burdensome. It went smoothly, with no major hiccups. Another example for ChE 131 and some wake-up call from Sir Bok. Another classroom moment with Mae.
Lesson on Free Masonry and the deviant history for PI 100. Complicated first lesson on reactor design (application of all past ChE courses) for ChE 126 which I hopefully will still understand (from my notes) when I review it for future use. Also thankful for not succumbing to sleep even if lesson was dealing with lots of differentiation and integration, and for a professor, like Sir Patrick, who teaches real well.

2. I went to the gym with Bennard and I enjoyed the bath, as usual. Whenever I take a bath in the gym, I forget the time. HAHA. I didn't get to go to sauna though. Another good feature of the gym was its overhead fan in the ladies'. Instant blower for me! Hence, my love for my hair until this very moment.

3. While on treadmill and watching news (with no audio), I have seen KEMer friends on TV Patrol. The news was about the impending tuition fee hike (again? >_<) for SUCs this coming June, and of course it showed some shots of students around UP. There I saw Grace Ti, my buddy Torio, and Sam. :)

4. The unexpected leap-year dinner with Bennard, Gicka, Grace, Ven, Niezl, Kayer, and Timmy. Timmy was the organizer this time. Yay, it was a success (unfortunately though, I didn't have my camera with me)! We had it at Shakey's and I was really stuffed! And yes, it was their blueberry froyo which still keeps me awake. We had lots of fun! We were just there, talking about the most random things, a little high school reminiscing. It's a great thing to know that in our lives, we will always have these kinds of people who we will never get tired of spending time with.

5. Talking to Ate Joyce (she visited me in my room to check out the shirt merchandise my org is selling) regarding who we will vote later for the University Student Council elections. I am not really the discerning voter who reads all fliers they hand to me, or the one who attends all dorm tours and miting de avances, but I am sure one who will vote and will vote for who I think is most fit for the position (although the word "fit" is vague; is my idea of "fit" the right kind of "fit" the USC/ESC needs?).

6. Spending time on social media sites. I know this tends to consume so much of my time, but tonight, it feels like I have no regrets about it. HAHA. I went spazzing over Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng of It Started With A Kiss (oh wait, I think I want a separate blog post devoted for this!), and more spazzing again with my online friends who relate with me. I replied to Ate Nia's tweets about her feelings towards Before Sunrise and Before Sunset, films which I sooooo love! Of course, I recommended Julie Delpy's 2 Days in Paris as well. I liked and commented on all friends' status regarding our spur-of-the-moment dinner. I planned another dinner event, but this time, with my elementary classmates. I heard there will be no classes on March 8. Hihi, the things I hear.

There you go! What about you, how did your February 29 go? :)