on Friday, July 31, 2009
This time around, I made it a point that I woke up earlier this morning so that I could go and get my non-professional driver's license with my father. I woke up at about 6:30 and was ready to go by 7. The airconditioning of my dad's car, however, was being uncooperative so he tried to fix it but to no avail. Seeing the time, we headed off without the luxury of the aircon to the LTO along East Ave.

After getting the drug test and medical check-up done across the street, we headed to apply and anticipated a long wait ahead. After filling up my application form, I submitted it when my name was called, then went to the lecture room to start reviewing. It's kinda funny because I had to go back and forth from the lecture room just to have my picture and signature taken, then pay for the application fee before finally entering the examination room.

I'm quite amazed with the process that it was quicker than I anticipated. Even my father told me that things were better now and all that. I managed to get a 35/40 (^_____^)b for my written exam and just had to wait for the actual driving test to take place. There was a test track in that particular branch, but because of the number of applicants, they only had time to have us drive around the track once and we're done. I paid a second time at the cashier for the license fee and at around 11:40 in the morning, got my license before my father and I finally headed home in time for lunch.

Sooo, there's my little adventure at the LTO today. ^____^
on Thursday, July 30, 2009
Little by little, I begin to recall the reasons as to why I joined the LS Tennis Club during its formation last semester, and continued to stay with it as the Secretary-General (as Coach Dave likes to term it) until this very day.

Coming into the new schoolyear, me and the core members (the current officers) were having a little trouble kicking off club activities due to the weather. But lately the skies have been clear and we've been able to meet on dry, clay surface that is our tennis courts in the university. We've luckily been getting new members to join the club, so pretty soon we'll be a well-operated club a little later on.

Moving on to the sport itself, I find it a little difficult once again to make adjustments, particularly with controlling my wrist power. I say this because I take badminton as a PE, which demands the use of my wrist for gameplay. So I guess it's no surprise that Coach Dave put me in a group that did drills for most of the night's session so I could work on my strokes. I know it's a bad combination, badminton and tennis, but hey, I love them both.

To be honest, what I can't easily regain control of is my forehand. I already had a rhythm going down for me last semester, but again, badminton plays a bad hand in this. Needless to say, that's not what I wanted to focus on. When we were free to practice our service while most of the others were playing King of the Hill, I found that I was getting more consistent in my service, getting them in 80% of the time. While I still lack enough power for a decent serve, getting them into the appropriate service box was what I wanted to focus on.

Hopefully as time passes I'll be able to master locking and unlocking my wrist power for badminton and tennis when it's rightfully needed.

^____________________^v

PS. I'll be getting my driver's license tomorrow. Wish me luck~
My urge to want to have an afternoon nap has sufficiently decreased these past few months. Probably only happens on the occasion, especially when I know I have some time on my hands to do it.

Yesterday, I did just that. Spending about 4 hours just snuggled up on my bed and letting my dreams overtake me to pass the time and catch up on some sleep. Sometimes I think I should do this more often, take a nap. Even just a few hours gets me to think of bizarre ideas it's verging on funny.

Maybe one of these days when I dream something interesting, I'll share it with you all. ^___^v

Just so you all know, I was completely random with this post because I up and realized earlier after my Theology class that: 'Hey, I actually took a nap yesterday after how many weeks!'.

Ain't that a swell thing to realize? ^___________^

In other news, I'm eagerly waiting for a chance to get a copy of Dream Live 6th and watch it. I've searched the net dozens of times to get good copies of previous TeniMyus from the first to the most recent (Treasure Match Shitenhouji)
. I'm also looking forward to the next two myus focusing on the final match of the original series of the manga; that is, the National Tournament Final between Seigaku and Rikkai.

Like the first Rikkai-featured myus (Absolute King Rikkai ~ First Service
, which focused on the doubles matches and Absolute King Rikkai ~ Second Service, which focused on the singles matches), the Final Match will again be split into two separate myus, with the 5th cast of Seigaku taking the stage, and a mix of old and new cast members of Rikkai reprising/taking the stage along with them.

It'll surely be something to look forward to. According my sources, I believe Ueshima-sensei (the director of the TeniMyu franchise) will also be adapting the new manga afterwards. I kinda hope that it's true, but I really would love to see the previous Seigaku cast members, as well as rival school cast members reprise their roles.
on Tuesday, July 28, 2009
After spending a day away from school, I find myself just a little disoriented and in the lazy stage of things. Despite the bad weather (with varying strength of the winds and rainpour, of course), my overall day was still spent quite well. My Physics lab finished an hour early so I had time to run off to meet with Kai during her break and spend some time with her before I went off to KFC for lunch while she had class. We met up again after he class and spent the rest of the afternoon in Cello's.

I met up with my cousin Trina (who was teaching in the grade school department) before my dad and my sister picked us up from Cello's before we all headed to a certain McDonald's where my nephew would be celebrating his party.

My 4 y/o nephew Tristan with his Transformers cake

This is a picture of Tristan with his cake; one of the gifts my cousin Troy got for him. My lil' nephew is a huge fan of Transformers and can brag about knowing and naming the different Autobots and Decepticons, but I think that would be something he would have inherited from his Daddy Travis, who himself is a fan of the franchise since he was a kid.

Tristan in his Optimus Prime costume

You just gotta love this little boy. So spontaneous and bright. I'm sure in the future, he'll have so much happy memories to look back on. To think that he was still a baby not so long ago... and through the years, he's already learned so many things. I mean, this lil' guy is spoiled, considering the numerous relatives he has (i.e. my cousins, aunts and uncles plus his mom's side of the family). He'll be great someday, though. I just know it.
on Sunday, July 26, 2009
Shirota Yuu as Sanada Yukimura in Tenchijin

Tenchijin is one of those feudal era Japan j-dramas. As soon as I found out that Shirota was going to be in it, I sought out to skim through the episodes for him, but I kind of stopped at episode 16, complaining how long it took before he actually made an appearance.

It wasn't long before I caught wind of Shirota's character's appearance in episode 22 of the series, so I got myself a copy and say him in all his glory. His character is so bad-ass for most of that episode. He's awesome with his spear sword (or whatever you call it) too! 8D

I took that screenshot of him, by the way. ^__^;;
This past weekend has been nothing but full of a good time. Not to mention that tomorrow has been declared 'No classes all levels' by CHED. There are a few points I want to share with you all.

1) NSTP Insertion

Setting aside the fact that I had to wake up at 6:30 in the morning to get ready and wait for my sister to take me to school, the insertion we had to Lagro-Maligaya was a fun - yet tiring - experience as would all succeeding ones be. There was no set modules, so we were free to interact with our tutees and play with them if we wanted. I was assigned three kids from the 4th grade level - Joyce, Gaile and Dimple. Dimple was absent that day, so I had Joyce and Gaile to entertain. I joined forces with my classmate Bianca and her tutee Honey Mae and we all played a little bit before having a short feedback session with everybody and heading back to school afterwards.

2) An afternoon with Kai

I invited Kai to come over to spend the afternoon together after her Marketing class, so I immediately decided to take a nap right after lunch in the guest room where my mom frequently did her work. At about 2:30 when I got a text from Kai saying that she was on the way, I woke up and headed upstairs to my room and before long, went back downstairs to let her in.

As both of us were tired from our morning classes/activities, we both took a nap in my room, watched a few parts from one of the TeniMyus (Treasure Match Shitenhouji 5B) where we commented about some of the Seigaku 5th cast members and headed downstairs to play some Wii Sports (tennis and bowling). It wasn't long before she had to head home. But since our landline wasn't working, we had to go to the subdivision gate to hail a taxi. I suggested to take one of our family's cars to drive her there, and to get some more practice down with my driving skills.

Kai suggested I do at least one round about the subdivision as it was still a little bit early, so I obliged. She commented that I had been practicing, but was honest with her and said that I had not had the chance to drive ever since the last time I drove around the subdivision with her two Saturdays or so back. After I found a parking space, we quickly found a taxi that she took and I decided to have one last drive around the subdivision before finally returning home.

3) Driving Incentive

When I got back, my mom was telling me how I should already get my license. After telling her that I was planning to get it this Friday with dad, she told me the upside of already being able to drive around on my own. Since she was going off on a business trip some two weeks in the future, she would naturally be leaving her car to be used. And if dad would ever have a flight to the States and not use a car, then me and my siblings would each have a car to drive. That actually gave me more of an incentive to get my license already. 8DDDD

4) Learning how to prepare some food

My mom's birthday is tomorrow, July 27, but she wanted to invite people over to dinner and celebrate, hence tonight's birthday dinner celebration. She decided to make her famous lasagna and baked chicken, and I offered to help her out so I was able to know how it was prepared before it was put into the oven to bake. I still don't know much about actually preparing the ingredients, but now that I have a rough idea how it's prepared, I can probably be of more help next time around. Eventually, I'd be able to make it myself in the future! ^_____^v
on Thursday, July 23, 2009
L-R: Jason, Gabby and Dar

Occasionally, I would probably be posting some pictures because the contents of which have a bit of a story or idea that's just begging to be shared. Photojournalism, if you will. xD For a moment, I have to be asking myself if why I chose the major I did. ^__^;; Oh well.

Anywho, this picture is of three of my blockmates while we were waiting for our CS class yesterday afternoon. What got me and my other blockmates to laugh was their orientation. All three of them were leaning to the left (right in our perspective) for reasons beyond our understanding. xD But yeah, it was really cool to look at first-hand, hence a snapshot.
I only had one class today (just my 9-10:30 Theology class), but as I still had my Tennis Club to attend to tonight at 6:30pm (for this I blame the AHS varsity for reserving the tennis courts until that time. -___-), I was contemplating what to do with my time until then. Setting aside the fact that I have lunch with some of my blockmates, chill around for an hour or so before meeting with the core members for CompSAt's Tambay Week in 3 weeks' time.

Now I'm back at one of the few open labs to waste more time before I go and meet with Kai. I didn't really expect to be meeting her today due to her busy schedule (I mean, she already informed me the day before that she would be having a meeting for one of her classes until 6pm), but I guess circumstances change. I more than welcome the opportunity to meet up with her again for this week. ^___^

I feared that having so much time to myself, whether it was just walking around campus or staring blankly at the computer screen here in the open lab wondering what the hell to do/type, I would end up thinking about some unnecessary things. And... I guess I still did. *groans* I believe I already concluded to myself how emotionally unstable I can be as well, given the right... stimulus to cause such depression relapses, as a friend of mine termed it.

I don't think I ever forced myself to just stop talking with someone to resolve a problem. Normally, I had this mindset that no matter how much I loathed a person, I still had the least bit of courtesy to acknowledge them; to converse with them if it was possible. It was with this mindset that I can say that the quality of being friendly was something I righfully possessed.

However, regret is not something I can feel right now. I'm not living my life for just myself anymore. I'm living, making the choices I do because there is somebody else in my life now who I want to share happiness with; who I'd do anything for to assure that they were just as happy. Even if it meant sacrificing something like this, I'd do it. It's silly to recognize this only now... this far along... but if she trusts me... then I will not betray that trust by being selfish. I love her too much, now more than ever to second-guess the decisions I should be making to keep this relationship afloat for many more years.
on Wednesday, July 22, 2009
I guess I enjoy the whole idea of running around the court chasing after the shuttlecock and sending it to the opposite court in the best way possible. Run, hit, recover. That was something that always slips my mind on the occasion of actual games. One thing is on my mind: that I absolutely HAVE to reach the shuttlecock when I can and hit it back and get ahead in the game.

Quite similar to tennis, I find my strength when I play 'up front' in a doubles game. I'm able to finish a few rallies with a smash or drop shot to get us the point.

Personally, I think I want to be as active in sports as I'm still able to, considering the mild scoliosis that I have. I want to play tennis and badminton to the best of my abilities for as long as I am able to.

Now, having badminton as my PE this semester is truly the most interesting. I can actually pull out all the stops and just give it my all in the way I know how and focus on improving myself and the stamina that was taken from me due to the summer lag and bumming around.

Earlier today was the second day of mock doubles games (although graded) as me and my partner Stef were playing against players from the other class. As opposed to our dominating win in our first two matches last Monday, the first match today was full of unforced errors, resulting in our first loss in a match of two sets. Personally, my whole body was complaining early this morning, plaguing me with the morning sniffles and a few aching muscles. Not to mention my loss of fatigue by the end of the class.

The second match, to which we only managed to finish the first set (with a score of 22-24 in favor of our opponents) was where Stef and I wanted to redeem ourselves. We promised ourselves that we would be fully recharged and ready for Monday to at least bring that match to a draw and not another loss on us.

What surprised me, though, was the fact that as I sat there to catch my breath after recording the score of the first set, the teacher from the other class complimented my skills and told me how good I was. My own teacher would often ask me to demonstrate or assist him with things for probably the same reason, I would guess.

I'm excited for the coming weeks in PE now, actually. I'm actually competetitive when I want to be, and I will surely do whatever it would take to try and turn a game around. ^_____^

Which reminds me... Kai plays badminton very well, so I've heard. She and I have yet to play a singles match against one another, so perhaps I can arrange a Saturday afternoon for it... *strokes chin in contemplation*

I look forward to our showdown. ^___________________________^
on Monday, July 20, 2009
July 16, 2009

Where I live, it's no surprise that it rains every so often, especially during this time of year. And being in college, it's a rare occasion before our classes are suspended by the higher-ups based on the weather. But of course, that's not the point of this blog, now is it?

That day was the day Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
was premiered here in the Philippines. And being the Potterhead that I am, I wanted so much to watch it on opening night as I have since the third movie. So, the day before, I had asked whoever wanted to watch to watch with me. In the end, I only had one companion among my block who was free and able to go. Not that I minded.

So, Kim - my blockmate - and I headed off a bit after our Theology class under the rain to commute to the LRT station and to Gateway. It was quite interesting to note how much of a difference a few hours made in terms of the availability of watching a movie. Then again, given that it was a weekday and most everybody was either at school or at work, the cinema wouldn't be as packed as the usual times when classes were dismissed or whatnot.

We purchased 12:55pm tickets and, seeing that it was still a bit more than an hour early, we headed down to the foodcourt to help ourselves to some lunch. I ended up purchasing at Burger King, while she bought lunch at Pizza Hut. After that, we ended up chatting about Junjou Romantica
to eat the time away before deciding to go around and look at some shops.

Kim was looking for a bag/sleeve for her laptop, so I had nothing against going with her to look for one. When that was done, we both headed upstairs to the cinema level and after a while, headed into Cinema 6 to watch the 2 1/2 hour movie.


I won't delve too much into the details of the movie as of the moment to save myself the trouble of getting yelled at for giving spoilers to those who desire to watch the movie but have not yet have the privilege to do so. ^_______^v


When the movie was finally done, I decided to entice myself with a DQ Blizzard despite the cold weather before Kim and I finally parted ways as I returned to school, only to find out that the club meeting was cancelled due to lack of attendance and the weather.


But you know... there were some moments while in the movie house where I had to keep reminding myself that I wasn't watching the movie with my girlfriend. Maybe next time I won't watch a movie with just one other person to save me the trouble of having that train of thought. ^___^;; Goes to show you how much I wished it was my girlfriend I was watching the movie with.
on Thursday, July 16, 2009
Kimi=Hana, the opening song of Junjou Romantica's rough English translation. I won't say much about it mainly because the message here is just... perfect.

Don’t let go of this hand, don’t let go
Because I’ll be by your side
No matter when, smile! Smile!
The flower will bloom

The flower you like the most has bloomed
The flower with a small thorn bloomed this morning
I wonder if I should protect that thorn
The lone strong flower resembles you

The gentleness becomes as painful as I know
Because you and the warmth of your falling tears know

I want to see you, I want to see you
If it gets lonely even when the two of us are together
Let’s hold hands until the loneliness disappears
Don’t let go of this hand, don’t let go
Because I will be by your side
No matter when, smile! Smile!
The flower will bloom

If you send a smile to a star somewhere
Just looking up at the sky makes me happy

Even trivial things become precious to me
Because the flower that is you bloomed in my heart

I want to see you, I want to see you
If it gets as lonely even when the two of us are together
Let’s hold hands until the loneliness disappears
Don’t let go of this hand, don’t let go
I will be by your side
No matter when, smile! You can cry, because
I’m with you

If there’s no water, it will wither, so
that thorn can’t protect anything at all
It’s the lone strong flower
The thorn doesn’t hurt, so don’t cry anymore

I won’t let go of this hand, Won’t let go
If it gets as lonely even when the two of us are together
Let’s hold hands until the loneliness disappears
Even if that small thorn hurts my hand


With yet another meeting of the tennis club cancelled due to lack of attendance or the constant downpour of rain, I found myself commuting home once again. With one earphone jammed into my ear, I listened to songs from my iPod along the way. The rain eased up a little when I entered my subdivision when a particular song started to play: 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' by Savage Garden.

I had my umbrella perched overhead to shield me from the drizzle as I turned into my street and slowly walked its length; the entire time the song was playing. I began singing along to it and before I knew it, I had brought my umbrella down and allowed the slow rainfall to reach me; the droplets of rain fall onto my body as I walked the rest of the way home. And as I sang... I swore I felt tears begin to well up in my eyes.

Love is strange and complicated this way... But I don't resent it in any way. I love my girlfriend for all that she is and more... and this song reminded me just how much I do so.

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do

I will be strong, I will be faithful
'Cause I'm counting on
A new beginnin'
A reason for livin'
A deeper meanin', yea

And I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

And when my stars are shinin' brightly in the velvet sky
I'll make a wish to send it to Heaven
Then make you want to cry
The tears of joy for all the pleasure in the certainty
That we're surrounded by the comfort and protection of
The highest powers in lonely hours
(Lonely hours)
The tears devour you

And I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

Oh can't you see it baby?
You don't have to close your eyes
'Cause it's standin' right before you
All that you need will surely come
Uhh hu yea

I'll be your dream, I'll be your wish
I'll be your fantasy
I'll be your hope, I'll be your love
Be everything that you need
I'll love you more with every breath
Truly, madly, deeply do
(I love you)
Huh huh

I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
I want to lay like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

And I want to stand with you on a mountain
I want to bathe with you in the sea
Well I want to live like this forever
Until the sky falls down on me

Huh huh uhh
Yea uhh huh
La la la duh duh huh
La la la duh duh huh
Uhh hu
on Tuesday, July 14, 2009
I admit, the coronation song from American Idol Season 8 didn't really sink too well with me the first time around, but as I listened to it a few more times, I really came to appreciate it as well as the message the lyrics gave. Both American Idol winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert gave their own rendition on the song for the first singles, so I'd like to share with you their versions; you decide which one sounds better. I give credit to AdmiralZero from YouTube for these.

The lyrics supplied below need no further explanation, I hope. The message is quite blatantly obvious and will not need further context reading... at least from my point of view. This is one of the songs I can actually relate to... in terms of myself and of my relationship with my girlfriend.







Seconds hours so many days
You know what you want but how long can you wait
Every moment lasts forever
When you feel you've lost your way
What if my chances were already gone
I started believing that I could be wrong
But you gave me one good reason
To fight and never walk away
So here I am still holding on

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
Just when you think the road is going no where
Just when you almost gave up all your dreams
They take you by the hand and show you that you can
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries

I fought to the limit you stand on the edge
What if today is as good as it gets
Don't know where the future's headed
Nothing's gonna bring me down
Jumped every bridge I've run every line
I've risked being safe, I always knew why
I always knew why
So here I am still holding on

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
Just when you think the road is going no where
Just when you almost gave up all your dreams
They take you by the hand and show you that you can

You can go higher
You can go deeper
There are no boundaries
Above and beneath you
Break every rule cause there's nothing between you and your dreams

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You'll make it through the pain
Weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing
Just when you think the road is going no where
Just when you almost gave up everything
They take you by the hand and show you that you can
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries
There are no boundaries
No boundaries
Yeah, there are no boundaries
This is something I look forward to day-by-day. While I don't have the complete luxury of being able to see my girlfriend as often as I want to, we make up for that by chatting with one another on a daily basis.

Accumulating hours to chat with one another, even if it's just exchanging endearing actions of affection or otherwise... The time spent in each other's company sometimes end up becoming times where the strangest things happen.

But you know, these same chats make things better altogether and just cause a dent once in a while. Unintentional or whatnot, I don't think it's completely unavoidable. Misunderstandings will rise to the occasion and cause some tempers to flare. But only for so long.

This is why I want to make the most of my chats with her... Because somehow... I want her to know that despite the hectic day that had just finished, all I want to look forward to is being able to spend my time with her... As LONG as I possibly can manage to. It's my favorite times of the day... And it always makes me bring even the smallest of smiles to my face amidst the most bitter days.

I love you, my dearest. So, so, so much.
on Sunday, July 12, 2009
The series of Artemis Fowl immediately follows in my line of favorite books after the Harry Potter series. Eoin Colfer has undoubtably redefined 'fairy tales' with the creation of this world. Colfer brings to life the creatures such as elves, centaurs, dwarves, pixies, gnomes and trolls to the mix of the human race to create a whole new concept. The adventures of one super-intelligent boy by the name of Artemis Fowl is always one to look forward to.

From the self-titled book Artemis Fowl to the so-far sixth installment Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox, the development continues to excite any avid reader from book to book. Another wonderful thing about this is the development of a Gnommish alphabet that fans can try to decode on their own or by referring to one of Colfer's books: The Artemis Fowl Files.

This reminds me to decode the message from the latest book. Or just search around the internet for it. The magical worlds always seem to amaze me. Go figure.
on Saturday, July 11, 2009
Tonight I want to share something that I once stumbled upon in the internet many years ago when I was in the fandom of Beyblade. This is in the persona of one of the characters, Kai Hiwatari. Truly, after so many years, I did not once think I'd be sharing this, so I hold no source code to redirect you all. But I shall state it here that this is not my work and I would like to give credit to whoever put this up oh so many years ago. Enjoy.

I'm not really sure if you guys will get any insight from this article, but all the same, read it and tell me what you think. ^___^;;

Hidden in the Darkness
A collection of the short, ungainly remembrances of past occurences

~When Once I Had "Love"

My mind holds too many strange thoughts and feelings. Nightmare after nightmare has taken me and no longer can I distinguish what is real and what I have seen only in sleep. Just one sensation is true for certain, though I had such a trial finding it. I searched all through the dark and deadened regions of my mind until finally I realized I had been looking in the wrong place. The memory was buried deep within my stone heart in an area kept soft and hidden over the years. It was vague, but I tried as well as I knew how to recapture it.

I remember a warm body from which emanated undying love. I can still feel the gentle hands about me, in my hair one moment and embracing me the next. This person I have known all my life, though somehow I had forgotten. The only one I have truly loved, but far too soon the warmth disippated and the body became cold. Cold not with hatred as I know possess, but instead with death. I may as well have left the corpse and taken to wrapping myself around streetlight poles. Everything I had consisted of nothing more than the clothes on my back and the cadaver beside me which I clung to ferociously each time someone would pass. They, however, were always a part of the well-fed and respected, and those kinds of people never threw so much as a glance at the misfortunate souls reposing in the streets and back alleys.

Enternity seemed to have me bound to that lonely corner. Days of forever with nights longer still, and not once did I move. I retained a firm hold on the adjacent body as if letting go would ensure my demise. I did all within my minimal amount of power but death eventually came, though not in the form I had expected. Not long had my first and only love left me when a shadow blacker than ever I have been came to my side and pulled me from her. The curious tone of his voice overwhelmed me. The manner in which he took me to his side, referring to me as his son, his boy, numbed my heart and all its emotions. I never once allowed my face to fall wet nor my body to reach for hers as they took her off and set her cold meat in flames. All I could comprehend after that were the wicked hands on my shoulders, the unnerving voice of that man escorting me to the abbey...

~Dismay

I recall that night I had stolen away to a dark, secluded room, bringing with me the danger of unmade decisions. Slowly as I sat to keep up inventory I felt myself touch the corner of a long forgotten bookshelf, and upon it a wide volume with faded and torn covering. I assume it safe to say a lack in day-to-day change drove me to remove it from its hold and wash away the grayish coating, but once I had my heart fell inside me and my breaths were quieted. I felt myself rot, now outside to match what was within. To see the intersecting bars just beneath the prestigious title of that sacred piece haunted me. But perhaps, I thought, I hold no traces of sacrilege.

Fearful was my soul as I laid blood-stained hands to the pages and scanned the printed word. Nothing appeared familiar to me, let alone sparked excitement, but one line in particular caught my attention. It read, "Thou shalt not kill."

Hurriedly I shut the cover and threw it all back where I had found it. Grabbing my dagger and sack of belongings, I rushed from the room, taking care not to rouse Grandfather's attention to me. I made way to my chamber, sweat pouring out me by the time I had made it. I let all I carried fall to the floor as I rushed to the bathroom and illuminated the lights above. A strong force surged deep in me and I did not recognize what I saw. The image in the mirror, that horrified embodiment with glossy, deathlike eyes staring into mine was indeed me, and I was as pale as the walls.

~Sworn to Infidelity

Every night after that first I returned to the library. Somehow I knew exactly where it was the second time despite the lack of light, but darkness has always been a companion of mine.

I would hide myself there in a corner dripping with dust and age, the only objects with me consisting of a candle and that book. It haunted me, but no longer was I afraid. I read over its rules. There were ten, and strangely enough they made sense in my mind, though I could not abide by any seeing as I had broken some. In that book, murder and stealing were horrible crimes and I had committed myself to both. Nevertheless I read on and learned of all the importances in life, all those things I did not understand. I was told of the friendships I should keep. I was bade to love the father and mother I do not have. Perplexing me the most, however, were the stories.

How a man could walk among the common and heal the whole of them was an unreal fact I could not grab onto, though I could see it all in my mind. His power to break but one piece of bread and make many to sustain thousands was surreal. I struggled inside myself to understand. Though the stories had ficticious themes, a part of me wished to believe. Someplace within the less often used and still immaculate regions of my heart I knew for certain what I read was the truth.

Sadly, my endeavor was not lived long. Within days of my first night in the library, Grandfather caught sight of what I had begun and took me up to be lashed. The book was thrown to the fireplace. I watched it burn as the whip struck my flesh, and though the welts stung, my heart hurt much worse.
on Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Lumos.

'I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.'

The wild and exciting world of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter franchise has always been one of the many things I would come back to. From 'Philosopher's Stone' to 'Deathly Hallows', I've been a proud follower of the iconic boy wizard Harry Potter in his fight against Lord Voldemort from start to finish.

It started with the books. I never expected too much out of it the first time around when my dad brought the first book home and encouraged me and my sister to read it. Before long, I found myself hooked and eagerly wanted to read the succeeding novels in turn. Among my family, I may well be the one who would be most into the whole Potter franchise.

For a time, when I was not formally introduced to the internet and its many benefits, I found myself manually listing down my own personal list of Harry Potter spells and Gryffindor passwords amongst the books currently published at the time. I completely engrossed myself with the world of Harry Potter; memorizing spells, characters and scenes from the story.

Expecto Patronum.

For a time, I found it entertaining to watch the movies a number of times to the point that just reading the script (should I have one at hand), I'd be able to deliver them in almost the same time and accent as was said. The best defining moment for this would be seen from the movie versions of 'Chamber of Secrets' and 'Prisoner of Azkaban'. My favorite scene to act would be the entire Shrieking Shack scene from the Prisoner of Azkaban, found below. The audio and video aren't in synch, though. >__<



HERMIONE: We're in the Shrieking Shack, aren't we?
HARRY: Come on.

RON: Ahh...
HARRY: Ron!
HERMIONE: Ron! You're okay.
HARRY: The dog, where is it?
RON: Harry, it's a trap! He's the dog, has an Animagus!

HERMIONE: If you're going to kill Harry, you'll have to kill us, too.
SIRIUS: No. Only one will die tonight.
HARRY: Then it'll be you!
SIRIUS: Are you going to kill me, Harry?

LUPIN: Expelliarmus! Well, well, Sirius. Looking rather ragged, aren't we? Finally the flesh reflects the madness within.
SIRIUS: Well you would know all about the madness within, wouldn't you, Remus?

SIRIUS: I found him.
LUPIN: I know.
SIRIUS: He's here.
LUPIN: I understand.
SIRIUS: Let's kill him.

HERMIONE: No!! I trusted you! And all this time... You've been his friend.. He's a werewolf! That's why he's been missing classes.
LUPIN: How long have you known?
HERMIONE: Since Professor Snape set the essay.
LUPIN: Well, well, well, Hermione you really are the brightest witch of your age I've ever met.
SIRIUS: ENOUGH TALK, REMUS! COME ON, LET'S KILL HIM!
LUPIN: WAIT!
SIRIUS: I DID MY WAITING!! TWELVE YEARS OF IT!! IN AZKABAN...
LUPIN: Very well, kill him. But wait one more minute. Harry has the right to know why.
HARRY: I know why! You betrayed my parents! You're the reason they're dead!
LUPIN: No, Harry, it wasn't him. Somebody DID betray your parents but it was somebody who, until quite recently, I believed to be dead.
HARRY: Who was it, then?
SIRIUS: PETER! PETTIGREW! And he's in this room! Right now! Come out, come out, Peter! Come out, come out and play.

SNAPE: Expelliarmus! Oh, vengeance is sweet. How I hoped, I would be the one to catch you.
LUPIN: Severus...
SNAPE: I told Dumbledore you were letting your old friend into the castle and now, here's the proof.
SIRIUS: Brilliant, Snape. Once again you've put your keen and penetrating mind to the task and as usual come to the wrong conclusion. Now if you'll excuse us, Remus and I have some unfinished business to attend to.
SNAPE: Give me a reason. I beg you.
LUPIN: Severus, don't be a fool.
SIRIUS: He can't help it. It's habit by now.
LUPIN: Sirius, be quiet.
SIRIUS: Be quiet yourself, Remus!
SNAPE: Well, listen to you two, quarelling like an old, married couple.
SIRIUS: Why don't you run along and play with your chemistry set?
SNAPE: I could do it, you know. But why deny the dementors? They're so longing to see you. Do I detect a flicker of fear? Oh yes, the Dementor's Kiss. One could only imagine what that must be like to endure. It's said to be nearly unbearable to witness but I'll do my best.
LUPIN: Severus, please...
SNAPE: After you.
HARRY: Expelliarmus!
RON: Harry! What'd you just do?!
HERMIONE: You attacked a teacher!
HARRY: Tell me about Peter Pettigrew!
LUPIN: He was at school with us. We thought he was our friend.
HARRY: No. Pettigrew's dead. You killed him!
LUPIN: No he didn't. I thought so too until YOU mentioned seeing Pettigrew on the map.
HARRY: The map was lying then.
SIRIUS: The map never lies. Pettigrew's alive. And he's right there!
RON: Me?! He's mental.
SIRIUS: Not you! Your rat!
RON: But Scabbers has been in my family for--
SIRIUS: 12 years! Curiously long life for a common garden rat! He's missing a toe, isn't he?
RON: So what?
HARRY: All they could find of Pettigrew was his fi--
SIRIUS: Finger! The dirty coward cut it off so everyone would think he was dead! And then he transformed into a rat!
HARRY: Show me. Give it to him, Ron.
RON: What are you trying to do to him? Scabbers! Leave him alone! Get off him! What are you doing?

PETTIGREW: Remus? Sirius? My old friends. Harry, look at you. You look so much like your father... Like James... We were the best of friends--
SIRIUS: How DARE you speak to Harry? How dare you talk about James in front of him?
LUPIN: You sold James and Lily to Voldemort, didn't you?
PETTIGREW: I didn't mean to! But the Dark Lord! You have no idea the weapons he possesses. Ask yourself, Sirius: What would you have done? What would you have done?
SIRIUS: I would have died! I would have died rather than betray my friends!
PETTIGREW: Harry! James wouldn't have wanted me killed. Your dad.. your dad would have spared me... He would've shown me mercy!
SIRIUS: You should've realized, Peter! If Voldemort didn't kill you then we would! Together
HARRY: No!
LUPIN: Harry... This man is--
HARRY: I know what he is. But we'll take him to the castle.
PETTIGREW: Bless you, boy. Bless you.
HARRY: Get off! I said we'd take you to the castle. After that the dementors can have you.
So I'll end things here for my fandom writing. For now. xD

'Mischief managed.'

Nox.
on Monday, July 6, 2009
I'm the type of person who's been fortunate enough to be surrounded by a group of loving people I call my family. I couldn't be happier to be in such a setting where everyone in my family tree can be so understanding and accepting no matter what your flaws may be. Growing up in this type of environment has helped me establish my own views (however biased they may sound) on how a family should be.

My views on a family are as follows:
-provide you with LOVE and CARE
-provide you with the basic necessities life has to offer: food, clothes, home, education
-be willing to support and believe you no matter what
-learn to overlook any flaws you have
-be understanding in all your decisions
-be willing to listen to your problems and, if possible, help you with them
-allow you to make your own decision on how you want to live your life without dictation

Sometimes I wonder why all families can't be like this. Why do some have to be so difficult? Whether it would be because of traditional reasons or otherwise, I know this much: Love starts from the family. And if that's the case, then the relationships we enter into are created from the love we receive from our own family before going to make a family of our own to continue that cycle. So even if we feel that our family has stopped loving us.... as long as we know that our significant other still loves us, then that is enough for us to continue living.... to continue making that love grow and burn even stronger than ever before.

I'll end with an excerpt of the TeniMyu fanfic that Kai and I are writing, where I had Shirota talk about his family values to Aiba's family.

"The reason I came here today... is because I believe that every family should maintain a bond despite the barriers between them," Shirota told them. "Every person should be given the opportunity to decide their future, and their family members should be there to provide the support, not hinder them from achieving what they truly desire." (Mitsukaru High, Chapter 7: Of Fights and Family Issues)
on Saturday, July 4, 2009
I'll be referring to one of my previous entries (Again) because basically, I just realized that the English translation I referred to, now that I look back on it, could better be used to apply to somebody else I know. ^____________________________^

I was singing the song to myself in the shower because I was bored when halfway through, I stopped and had a massive breakthrough. I then started to sing the song again, but slower as my mind started piecing things together; making connections with the lyrics and the possible facts that this friend of mine was going through... And here's what I discovered. The lyrics to the song found in that previous entry, are italicized:

It seems like I'm chasing after the past = his mind is looking for someone from his past
I write it down in the pages of my notebook = he keeps a written journal

'Cause I'm looking for the me that is still honest = he still has those feelings for someone deep, DEEP within himself

And I will always remember the depths of the darkness = a bad childhood experience, I reckon
I'll lose this feeling of being so helpless = he wants to try and overcome such a bad experience and rise above it

I've really messed up = he made some mistakes in terms of his relationship
But try to realize that I have closed my eyes
Just because the world is too harsh
And I'm willing to blind myself = in accordance to that past experience, he doesn't want to face reality anymore and be in his own little bubble that's secure where he can do what he wants

And my heart turned red with this passion
And it almost consumed my very being = he was about to be completely drowned in his thoughts of jealousy and ruining another relationship (i.e. mine and Kai's)

And I really want to scream out = he wants someone who can understand him

How do you unlock this door that has no key? = the door, I would imagine, would symbolize coming back out into reality, to stop being caught up in the past

And the things I once abandoned
I want to try and find again = well, this one is pretty obvious; looking for the person whom he still loves and who still loves him back that he let go of before

So..... there. ^________________________________^v

Why am I analyzing this too much? ^_____^;;
Hmm. Guess I still care for the guy. Friendship is so complicated sometimes. ^_________^b
While it's not yet actually confirmed, I think it's safe to assume that things have finally settled down and we can all breath a sigh of relief. ^___________________________^

Five months ago, I got to befriend someone who I learned shared quite a few things in common with me. We conversed day-to-day and became close; as close as a father and his son. Things were good back then (I describe him a bit more in my first post here).

"Being genuinely happy with the situation... was all I ever felt. Not once did I consider the possibility that everything that was happening was just for show. I poured my heart out. I was honest with my feelings... My heart was at ease knowing that I had someone I could depend on. Whenever I was depressed, I would let him in and allow him to help me get through what was troubling me.

Day by day, that was our routine. We would chat for hours at a time every single day and would complain if we weren't allowed that time together. It was something I would look forward to, and not once did I regret it throughout that whole period. I acted as a son would to his father." (an excerpt form my first post)

This past month, he was the same person trying to take my girlfriend away. The drastic shift was, to say, shocking. I was more than prepared to say how much I now hated him for everything he's done to ruin my relationship with Kai.

However, it wasn't until an hour ago did everything finally come into place and explained everything. I'm forever grateful to our friend Luise for the information, and for helping us talk some sense into him to make him realize everything and take action.

Now I understand why he was acting the way he was; why he made some decisions, and set up certain scenarios to take pace. I guess all he needed was the right wake up call to realize that he should stop living in the past and open his eyes to the world around him; that there was someone nearby who loved him still after all these years. ^___________^ I have more than enough reason to forgive him for most everything he did now because of this enlightenment.

So... in the long run... I was right not to lose faith in him after all. ^_______________________^v

With this issue finally put to rest, Kai and I can look forward to our 8th monthsary without worry.
on Friday, July 3, 2009
I've always been proud to tell anybody I chat with that I won't ever fall asleep on them late into the night without making sure that I've said my good nights, shut down my laptop, put it back on my desk and retire to sleep for the rest of the evening. And I've been true to that for the longest time I can remember ever since I acquired my laptop Roy back in the summer of 2008.

Last night was the first. I was chatting with Kai with my laptop on my bed when she got back from some planned meeting that we were all against (which ended happily though, so don't worry so much). At some point when it was almost midnight, I found myself slowly but surely drifting off to sleep. But I fought it off for a few minutes and before I knew it, my eyelids grew much heavier than I realized and dozed off.

When I woke up more than an hour later, I looked around and saw that my bedside table lamp and my laptop were still on. The time on my wall clock and laptop clock read about 1:50. I groaned and saw the stream of messages Kai left for me when she realized that I had not been replying anymore before I hastily went to relocate my laptop back on my desk, shut it down, turn off my bedside lamp and finally sleep the rest of the early morning.

Whoever thought I'd see the day? xD
on Thursday, July 2, 2009
Although people constantly tell me that it's all part of the process... can someone get hurt this badly in a relationship? I love my girlfriend and she loves me, don't get me wrong. It's almost to be expected that there will be several occasions where we have some misunderstanding between one another, right? I guess the only thing for me to point out right now is... when can we have a moment's peace?

We've been bombarded with so much negativity in the form of particular third-parties constantly that enjoying day-to-day life without worrying about anything bad happening becomes so much harder to achieve lately. Yeah, I know right now a lot of you are thinking to yourselves, 'So what? The type of your relationship would logically have that kind of problem, wouldn't it?' And I agree. But does that mean that we should simply give up? That we should allow ourselves to be torn apart against our will? That we should let people decide what's best for us? No, I don't think so.

Kai and I have come close to being pulled apart due to one reason or another. And right on the brink of severing that tie, we manage to hang on. We manage to repair things and return to being engulfed in the abundance of love we both share for one another.

Love conquers all, as the fairytale goes. That's actually a phrase I want to hold onto... because that's something I will forever be giving my girlfriend: LOVE. Shouldn't it follow that this should be the foundation of every relationship? That two people start to form a bond because of this powerful force we call love? Without it, the bond is bordering on pointless. A person can support someone financially and take care of them, but if they do not faithfully love their partner genuinely and receive a reciprocal of that love, then the entire bond holds no meaning whatsoever.

I know that what Kai and I share is special. And I don't ever want to give her up to anyone. Not when the love I feel for her is still burning strongly in my heart.

I made a lot of mistakes in this relationship. But amidst all that, I'll follow the advice someone once told me:

"If you love her still...if you need her... don't let her let go of your hand. And this time...if she comes back...do all it takes to make her stay yours and at the same time you stay as hers."

.....It's just ironic that the person who told me this... is the very same person trying to take my girlfriend away from me.
on Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I don't recall when exactly I started taking interest in this fanciful delicacy, but needless to say, I guess I could admit that it's what I enjoy stuffing myself with whenever Dad brings home a big container of it from the US during his 5-day trips there. ^____^b

The particular chocolate raisins my dad purchases (The Kirkland brand) is in a container that has a net weight of 1.53kg (or 54 oz or 3.38 lbs), so you'll be sure to have a LOT of chocolate raisins inside. So you'd imagine me spending consecutive days popping a few into my mouth and expect to finish it in about a month or so's time.

And apparently I have a little history with it when I was little. I don't recall it, but my family (well, more particularly my sister) was so kind to remind me of this incident. Forgive me if my narration is a little bit off, so yeah. We were in Costco and the family was at the counter already paying for things. I was still little back then, and for some reason I grabbed hold of that container of raisins from the cart (I think) and was trying to open it. Strangely when I did, I dropped it and its contents (yes, those delicious raisins) spilled onto the floor. I think I burst out in tears at that and the store people there agreed to get us a new one to replace it. So there. Just something to share. xDD

**The only reason I wrote about this was because my dad just brought a container of said chocolate raisins home for me.**