Pre-Departure Notes (Intro Continued)

Vernacular

I'll try English first. Don't want to sound funny or stupid for a moment.

What I'm doing now
24 hours to departure. Ripping my precious CDs onto my laptop. Can't afford to take all them with me. It's almost been a year after some goddamn motherfucker (burn in Hell for all I care) stole my initial CD collection. Eventually, even if I lost most of my Heavy Metal CDs (Deftones, Korn, Staind, Tool,), Rap Metal (Linkin Park, Limp, Rage) and some outrageously Pop-Rock CDs (Hoobastank, Maroon 5, the Corrs, Outkast, etc.), I got to build a new and better one, with all my previous Incubus CDs back, with a whole new Dave Matthews Band and Dream Theater CD collection, plus a number of old school gems such as Velvet Revolver, The Doors, Wolfgang, P.O.T., Ray Charles, Jet and R.E.M. Got also Interested in the female voices: Sarah Mclachlan (absolutely mesmerizing), Tori Amos (such poignant poetry) and started a Jazz Collection with Jamie Cullum, Michael Buble, Norah Jones and Ray.

Later
Gonna buy some other stuff for the trip.
Gotta finish a summary of the second semester for my mama as well.
Gonna teach tante how to send email.
Gonna have one great "bon voyage" coffee drink with Kuya Robert later.

Metrosexual?
Gonna experience my first manicure and pedicure as well.

Dry cough
Couldn't sleep well earlier.

Luggage Cut
At first I had two huge pieces of luggage. Then I was advised to "travel light". Ok. Cut off the extra luggage. I Still got my essentials intact.

Tanga!! (Pinoyz)
Nalaman lang ng Henyo noong Sabado na Martes, hindi Lunes ang kanyang pag-alis.

Just-In-Case...
Nais iparating ng Henyo sa kanyang mga kaibigan / ka-W.A.F. (BlockR, UandMe, Ateneo community, World Community, World Peace, Green peas, UN, Pentagon, Woodstock) kung gaano niya sila KAMAHAL at KALAPIT sa KANYANG PUSO. Maaring hindi niya laging ibinabanggit, sapagkat ang laki naman niyang bakla kung ganon, pero nais niyang sabihin, kung sakasakali lang:

-Bumagsak ang Eroplano (Goodbye cruel world. Syet, virgin pa ko)
-Maging Komunista uli ang Tsina (Hello Mao)
-Mag-all out shopping ang Henyo't wala na siyang pamasahe pabalik (Goodbye sanity)
-Mag TNT siya (Hello insanity)
-Matagpuan niya ang kanyang minamahal doon (Hello goodbye)

Nais niyang humingi ng paumanhin sa mga ka-W.A.F. na nakabangga, nakainis, nasungitan, nakaaway, naka-backstab, naka-crab, nakkhummpoota and a whole lot more. Humihingi rin siya ng patawad sa mga panahon sobrang saboug at "out-of-focus" siya. Maraming maraming Salamat din sa mga taong umintindi, nagtiyaga at nagpaphotocopy ng notes para sa kanya noon, at nagtext sa kanya kung ano ang gagawin bagamat 2 araw siya bago mag-reply. Lalo nyo lang napakita kung gaano kabuti ang inyong inside.

Maraming salamat rin sa mga masasayang araw at sa mga sponsors

Familia:
Mama, Tante, Kuya Robert, Ninangz and Ninongz, Titaz and Titoz, Elders, Others, Neigborz

The Ateneo Way:
Inuman, Blasphemy, Sisig, Pasas, 24 Dollars, 23 Quadrillion, Manhattan, The flight, The game, Panjutz, Bata, Penomenon, Team bravo, K.O., Sorus, AnakanangDyari lang, SPG, LPG, LXG, Starbucks Tagaytay, Whisper Whites, Lyon Cement, 3-year financial projections, Target market, Facilities layout, Limestone, Clone stamp, Ugly Duckling, SOM Xerox Lady, Beef Teriyaki, SPAM, Burgundy Sessions, ACTM, Sex talk, Ken Afford tingi boys, Caf up, Blue Eagles 19-0, 5e, 907, 507, DOTA, 5km jogging, UP fair, Brannigan's, Fontana, "Sa mga babae ba..?" questions, Vampira, F. V.I.F.A., Peminista, Yoyo, 902, Tebats, Heidegger, Descartes, 24, UNO, Amanda G., Jeon Ji-Hyun, Walking Tall, Transformer, Shopping List, "Friends Only", Pinoy Idol, Mr. Lee, Shindig, Blogger, Photoshop, Tan, Tang, Mang, Bang, Bong,

Adolfo "Who the hell are you" Dacanay,
April "Boy" Capili,
Jules "Confeeermmed" Dacanay,
Alma "Strong Republic" Ocampo-Salvador,
Bobbi "The Phantom" Makani-Lim,
Nanette "Nanay" Caparros,
Edwin "Long Sleeves" Siao,

Albert "Mineral Water" Medalla,
Albert "So what you're going to do is" Medalla

Alyson "Guys" Yap,
Alyson "5-Minutes" Yap,
Alyson "Stepping-Stone" Yap,
Alyson "L.P." Yap

Roque "Meron" Ferriols,
Jacob "But" Cabochan,
Angelita "Consummated" Cancio,
Uri "Nag-resign na ko" Barcelona.

Ricky Reyes for my hair and make-up.

Bakit ito ipinararating ng Henyo? Sapagkat lubha itong mamimiss niya sa loob ng isang buwan, at sabik rin siyang makita ang

e.) All of the above

sa kanyang pagbalik.

Sana ma-miss din siya ng mga 'to.

Paumanhin
Nais magpakatotoo ng Henyo.
Medyo tight ang kanyang budget.

Pasalubong? Not Sure. No Assurance. Be surprised if you will.
Painom sa pagbalik? Highly likely.
Pictures? Definitely yes!!

On 3rd year and the Lag Period
I'd like to remind myself constantly that 3rd year is the year that I experienced the most number of changes in my life. It was definitely the year that I made some big decisions, some big achievements, several huge and stupid mistakes, and a few rejuvenated passions. The 1st semester for me was truly rocky, and unfortunately most of you won't understand everything that happenned during that time. Nothing sexual or familial, but I got pretty messed up in the way I lived my life, and how I handled myself on my own. I lost my smile. I got people who shouldn't have been involved mixed up, just because they wanted to help. Maybe its because I was too transparent in showing my emotions. But I really don't know how to hide feelings. If I'm pissed off, it shows. So I'd really like to thank all of my friends and those close to me (you know who you are) for all of your support during those trying times.

I never imagined waking up everyday to so much trouble. Those times were that which I had lost almost all passion, zest and vibrance. People saw me change from a jolly and vibrant dude to a tormented and weary soul.

Hell I almost got me and 3 of my friends killed in the process.

And yet there's more that other people are handling, so I guess I'll take it easier next time. After all, the 1st time's the most painful one. After a brief period of much needed rest (Christmas), I got the time to think it over. And yes, my life was full of excesses and shortages. Life is the story of maintaining a delicate balance, and that slipped my mind all along. I'm sure the 1st semester made me a better person, at the very least it told me that everything isn't for free. And even less, not all things could be gained easily.

The 2nd semester was a Lag Period. 1st, the requirements were easier to handle. I had so much free time. Or maybe I just got used to the high stress level of the 1st semester, that I took it with greater contingency. Nah, it was definitely lighter. Also got into the best Comm class I could ever be in. One class where I never heard the "can't" but always the can. To think differently. To never be afraid. To be drunk with passion again. To realize that greatness can only come through creativity and hardwork. To be drunk with humor again. I guess that class could have said it all for this semester, as I finally started to recover from my mess, gain back my smile, bring back the punchlines, and just be plain happy and relaxed. And yes, I made sure my allowance would reach the end of the week, paid my bills on time, spent less on CDs, (just one every 2 weeks now), slept more, smoked less, and ran more. Well this semester introduced me also to several different possibilities: new set of friends, new music, new love (Bullshit. That's way into the future), new guitar, wait.

Maybe it wasn't new, it could have been a reawakening of all the things I had set aside. Yeah maybe it was that way.

You know me, I always like being placed in a tight spot before I make my move. I'm a born crammer, a pressure player, so I still have one year to do so much more for myself, before I graduate.

Assembly
One whole year of pain just to get two lousy printouts. Period. And all those who attended had to go through some lousy email as well. Closed door policy my ass. This is a critique, not a bash.

When I get back
Though signing off doesn't mean I won't be updating, yeah, I will be forgetting about a lot of things, and just simply enjoy the vacation. After all, I never had one last year. But come May, there's much to do:

6-string Junkie:
Burn up the fretboard on my guitar
Learn how to read notes
Get a metronome to keep the beat
Start the Jazzbox Fund

Runner's World:
Get back to it

Diet:
Yes, I will

Kuya:
Help him prepare for Judgment Day.

Smoke:
No More. I'll keep on trying even if I constantly fail.

Orgwork:
I'd like to start anew with my Homeorg and some AJMA work as well.

And When I come back, some important upgrades
-I'd have a peaceful state of mind, cleansed from the dirt of the past
-I'd have my word of honor, do things as I said they would be
-I’d be man enough to face my passions and channel them
-I’d spend less on unnecessary things
-I’d change my wardrobe
-I’d give birth after 10 or more years of beer belly
-I won’t be so absorbed in myself, to the point where I have to trouble other people of
reminding me what to do or not.

Dreams
I want to be:
A Rockstar
A Philosophy Teacher (Yes yes yes!)
A Comtecher

PEACE OUT
Next Update Overseas.

Susunod na Kabanata
Henyo sa Hong Kong: Rakin’ Chineezze