CHRISTMAS EVE 2010

My mother woke me up for the occasion, I fell asleep because I was tired from the 23rd's tradition with friends. So we went down, and there was something more homey to this Christmas eve's feel and something sad as well. This will most likely be our last Christmas here in our home, in a long while.

Things I got from group exchanging gifts:

• FORLAN Class: from Paul - native sun/moon necklace
• PSITS Christmas Party at Mang Inasal: from Marnie - a cow stuff toy bat

Presents from other people:

• Tita Dinah - hanky
• Chipstar - a thoughtful Christmas card and a very cute cow memo pad holder :)
• Elwin, the boyfriend - a 4GB flash drive so cute, "crystalized with Swarovski Elements" and it says its waterproof

And after the opening of gifts, we took lots of photos. Dad and mom wanted photos of our living room and dining area in different angles so that when we fly off to America, we remember how home looks like. We ate desserts and enjoyed the evening with our two maids and two aunts. :)

Even though the gifts were fewer (although there are still other gifts on the way from other relatives), Christmas eve was still heartfelt for me. And just a few days ago did a fact hit me; it hit me, I pondered, and later grew grateful for the fact that:

I've never spent a Christmas or New Year 

away from the family or away from home.

Thank you Jesus for that. :) I didn't really think about how common it was for others to spend Christmas away from family and away from home, not because they want to but they have to. My friend Princess is at work now since she has to work, I'm chatting with her a bit to keep her company.

Christmas is a time to bond with family and friends, think and ponder about all our relationships, especially our relationship with our God.

Happy Birthday Jesus Christ! :)

Very thankful,

-allie

//photos to follow

TEACHER

So just this Monday, our teacher returned our papers from last week's (or two weeks ago) exam. I was confident about that exam since I actually studied for it. I've been studying this semester for the objective exams, unlike before where I just had to wing it each time or cram my a*s off. 

So I was saying, I was confident about this exam, maybe only three to four mistakes since I had no clue with the three enumeration numbers. So she gave out the papers, and my confidence came tumbling down. I got a sixteen over twenty-five. A frickin' one six! I Computed for the passing grade, which wa seventy percent and it was seventeen point something, round it off and you get eighteen. I reviewed my answers, and there were two numbers that she gave me a two and three instead of a five. I checked with the book- and my answers were right! So right that I nailed the keywords and got it almost word for word.

So I approach my teacher...

Me: "Miss, what's the right answer for these two numbers? How come I got only a two and three? What keywords were you looking for?"

Teacher: ... *looks at my paper* ... "It's not the complete answer, it's right but not complete."

Me: *opens the book and shows her the answer, I underlined it* "but miss, it's what's written in the book."

Teacher: "Your answers need not to be the one written in the book."

Me: "But what are the keywords you are looking for?"

Teacher: ....

Me: "The passing is eighteen right?" *giving her the hint that she could at least give me the passing mark*

Teacher: "Yes." 

Me: "Okay thanks miss."

Now, I should have said, "So you mean to say the answer or definition written on the book, which I have written on my paper almost exactly, is not complete? Then why the hell are we using this book anyways? And as I remembered in your discussion, you referred to the books definition as well, you did not question its completeness."

Now I understand that as beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the right and wrong also may vary in each person's perspective. But this was a frickin' "give the definition" question and I gave the definition as the book said it and as she discussed it! I could have gotten the twenty-two over twenty-five I deserved- but NO! So I just ranted on to my seatmates for the next subject, they said my face was turning red. And then I ranted on some more the whole day... and that whole day since I got the paper I was like this:

And I couldn't let it go because I studied my a*s off! And that was rare. The coverage to study was a lot, but the quiz was short! 

And so I picked my mum up at the office and I was beat. I ranted on to my mom and asked her to drive home, I was so tired from the emotion I had. And when we got home I told my dad about it and he was mad about it too, my mom was laughing at my frustration and how it drained all my energy. I showed him my quiz paper and the answer on the book, and he asked if I wanted him to write a letter or something, but I said it wasn't necessary and I knew I had to let it go, because our teacher was also our department's chairperson and she has helped me a lot, as in A LOT so I can advance through my curriculum. I wasn't really mad at her, I was mad at the fact that I was right but still helpless to do anything. I knew I just had to let it go, I had to. 

And now I'm actually feeling better. But writing about it brings a little frustration back, but I'll get over it soon enough. My feeling and my mom's theory was that it was my teacher's pride that was getting in the way, maybe she was embarassed that she already said the answer wasn't complete but there it was on the book. I don't know *rolls eyes*. I am hoping though that she'd secretly change my grade in her class record, I'm free to hope right? :p

Letting it go,

-allie

PS: I know scores aren't everything, I a firm believer that grades do not measure a person's intelligence, but when you're given less than what you deserved, less than what you wroked hard for, then maybe you'll understand where I'm coming from. And this wasn't the first time the teacher had more say in it than students.

PPS: Yesterday was Teacher's day! I didn't go to school but I greeted this teacher via e-mail and she replied. We're good. *fist bump*

Mixed Emotions

I just came from dad's office where parents called me and my sister to hover over the computer as my mom show us the houses they are considering for our move to the US.  As early as now, they're browsing houses we can live in. 

I have to say, seeing the photos of those houses, gave me mixed emotions.  I felt excited to start anew, start from scratch, go clutter-free in terms of material possessions, and just that feeling of jumping in a fresh start together with my family.  Also, the fear of uncertainty and missing people we leave behind, meeting strangers, adjusting to a different environment and different culture, and coping.  Like I said- mixed emotions.

Just last night my mom and dad talked things over, they are no longer buying another house here.  They seemed so strong on that decision just weeks ago up to yesterday, going places just to look at houses and checking out different neighborhoods.  They wanted to buy another house for investment, but their minds have changed.  

Change is constant.

On a different note, today me and my thesis partner Marchele submitted our Chapter 1 for our Application Design and Development this afternoon.  Our teacher was very impressed, and I have to say I'm quite impressed with ourselves as well.  We have our letter of permission to interview noted on Monday, we interviewed on Tuesday, reported regarding the interview on Wednesday, and today handed in Chapter 1.  Marchele and I are really hustling since we know if we don't move quickly now, we might be stuck come midterm and finals with all the other subjects we have.  My fear is to have every work clogged up, like last semester, everything piling up.  Next goal: to submit Chapter to by Wednesday.  Chapter 2 is a bit more tedious since we will need to deal with flowcharts.

And in all things, 

I look to my God for hope and strength.

Christmas is fast approaching, and although I believe that it's not about the gift-giving, I'm still worried I have nothing to give my family.  I'm broke.  I need to learn how to save- seriously. 

-allie  

The Little Things

Today was the official first day of school for the 2nd semester of school year 2010-2011. But as expected- NO CLASS yet. So I went out with my boyfriend today. We had late lunch at the mall.

Lunch at the food court turned out to be more expensive then dining in a restaurant, but I wanted to eat lechon. YUM. 

12php rice. 3-5 spoonful. 

Aside from the lechon, we also had humba meal (1 pc. humba meeat, 1 egg, 1 rice, 8 oz. ice-tea drink), Leylam's shawarma rice, large mango shake from thirsty, 2 extra rice (from a different store, it cost 15php).

In the end we placed too much on our plates, more than we could finish so we had to doggy pack and bring home leftovers. 

After stuffing ourselves we went over to CD-R KING, "you one-stop media provider". It's one place to get computer accesories and what-nots at a very cheap price, quality however is compromised most of the time. Anyways, Elwin mentioned he'd buy a mouse pad and he offered to buy me one too. But I told him that I already had one and I didn't need to get one. He said the my mouse pad was "luoy" (pitiful) already and that he could just get me one since it didn't cost that much. True- it didn't cost a lot but I was touched at how he noticed and remembered that my mouse pad was dying a slow and painful death. I love the thoughtfulness! I SUPER LOVED IT! :)

 My old mouse pad. Thank you for the times you served me.

 My new mouse pad from boyfriend's thoughtfulness.

So after that I dropped him off at his OJT place and I was heading home. I was already at the capitol (near our place) when my friend Harrison called, attendance for our DB2 class. So I went back to school and got there almost 4pm, had my attendance taken and I was out of school again. I wanted to head home but it was already 4pm and mom would be out by 5:30pm. So to save my dad the trouble of fetching my mom, I went to her office. I got to make and print out our (Elwin and mine) schedules for this semester. Hooray for productivity!

It really are the little things 

that you take notice on, the little thoughts, 

that sweeps me off my feet.

happy and loved girlfriend, 

-allie

Cheeseburger Deluxe

Today I went to the dentist for my dentist appointment that has been put off for almost 2 weeks now. I have a new wire on my braces now, more pressure on my teeth. I have color green rubbers now. 

Today I was visited by my lovely boyfriend. He brought for me cheezeburger deluxe meal from McDonald's. Thank you for snacks! :) And we streamed The Switch online. But he had to leave early since it's also his father's birthday.

//waiting for boyf to upload photo 

Happy birthday Tito Elwin Sr.! :) God bless you always. I wish you good health, happiness, and a peaceful heart.

-allie

Who is there for me?

There are days where in I ponder too much on things, vague things in life. I hop from one thought to another. It maybe because of too much stress from school work or current situation, or maybe just because I'm bored and I have nothing else to keep me occupied. Okay, that's a lie, there are tons of things I've been putting on hold for years, in example: clean my closet, dump old clothes, dump old bags and shoes, basically clean up in general.  But there's nothing else better I need to do, that will be a more honest sentence. 

So last night, I thought: what deep, sort of mind boggling status can I put out there, one that will get people thinking and have people to say "this girl's got something in mind". And so I posted:

"And in the days I'm alone, who is there for me?"

And now I thought that my friends would be commenting away, making fun of me, of how dramatic I am or whatever- but no. To my surprise (not complete surprise) my mom made the first comment. She gave the answer I already knew, that God would be there for me always and forever, with the additional "me" in her comment. 

Just when I thought my mother's comment was comforting, I read my father's comment. He comments: "ako, no.1, always n forever wil be der 4 u." (translation: Me, number 1, always and forever will be there for you.)  Now here, I almost cried. I know he only stated the obvious, but for a guy, a father to put out and clarify his feelings or emotions right there in public- it was something really sweet. I will cherish that comment, hence the blog entry for it and the print screen shot.

So you think you've had it good with friends, well you just don't acknowledge that you've had it greater with the family, and best with our Lord Jesus Christ. In times of trouble and hardships, it's family and God who will be with you through out the pain, it's them who will endure with you those aching moments.

I am thankful for my family. Thankful for my parents. I have failed them many times, I haven't graduated yet even though I was supposed to last March 2010, I've wasted one whole semester (that's tens and thousands of money), and I was at the brink of failing again this semester. But my mother and father were truly supportive "if you pass, then good; if not, you can try again next semester." WOW! I just feel I am truly blessed. It's overwhelming that I must share this blessing to others.

thankful and blessed,
-allie

Short Hair Day

Today I got a haircut. After attempting to get a short hair cut over a hundred times, after debating with mom about a short hair for the nth time, and after chickening out at the end of it all, today- FINALLY, I get a hair cut. It isn't THAT short but it's the shortest I've gone ever since kinder (if my memory serves me right). Maybe I can cut it even shorter next time? 

I enjoyed watching America's Next Top Model today with mom. A model's hair was cut off and she cried since she's had it long ever since. But she did look better after the cut. After my haircut, I didn't realize how heavy my hair was. My head felt so light after I chopped them off. I wanted to take a photo of my hair that got cut off but it was already swept away even before my haircut was over. Maybe my hair was that long that it caused a lot of mess even before the haircut was over?

My long hair photo.

 Just before the chopping.

 Here we go.

shortest hair since kindergarten. haha!

 And to close...

My favorite chicken, it's from Pizza Hut! New Orleans.

-allie

Semester Break: FINALLY!

Blogging from my boyfriend's new laptop! :) Congratulations love! Intel Core i5, it's an ASUS K42J and I love its keypads. :)

Semester break is here! All the final grades aren't in yet but it doesn't stop me from celebrating that the break has arrived! I still have a project to submit this Tuesday though, but pssh. 

Now that was just a quick update. And oh, last night I slept in my room! I'm back! :) After spending weeks at mom's room as punishment for "abusing" my health and sleeping so late. 

I'm off to a reunion dinner with Cherish friends. I'm bringing my boyfriend. Cheers to this break! Can't wait to do more blogging, adventures with my Diana Mini, and going on food trips (oh the pig in me)! 

-allie

Video by Charles Chiu

Here's a video made by Charles Chiu.

Just sharing to you something that made me smile, when the past few days hasn't been going so good. It's all too depressing. I skipped school today and just e-mailed my assignment. I'm seriouslly considering quitting school, but I know my parents won't let me. But still, the fact I'm even considering it says something. 

-allie

Amara

So our old friends Brent and Blanche Dy once again gathered us all together. Thank you to their parents for planning the whole thing for them to get to spend time with us. 

10:30 Timmy picked me up. I hopped in the car with Timmy's girlfriend Fiona in the front seat and John with me at the back. We picked up Carla at her place and it was off at Starbucks, Ayala- the usual waiting place. We stayed there for a little over an hour, waited for the others to arrive. I bought myself 3 egg tart sandwich at Bread Talk and shared one to John. And yes, we ate it at Starbucks. 

Charles, Katrina, and Ingrid arrived. We also bumped into Jedd in Starbucks. He had no candy for me this time. Last person to arrive was Matthieu Tiu. It would be the first time that we both would talk and actually get to meet. We met a few times and we know each other because we've had common batch mates, but he arrived at BCS way after I was long out of that school.

So Carla, Fiona, and I in Timmy's car. We stopped by Caltex just outside Maria Luisa to pick up a girl named Kyna. We just met today. She seemed pretty cool with her poker chips and what knots. I swear, if I closed my eyes, I'll think I'm with Gillian Uang! They sound alike and they talk kind of alike too!

In Ingrid's car was John, Matthieu, Charles, Katrina, and of course Ingrid. Katrina left her car at Ayala to go and ride with them. 

It wasn't such a long drive after all. We've reached Amara. And to our surprise, there was a party and they even catered! The Dy twins' relatives were there too. This was supposedly a despedida (going away party), but since they're extending their stay up to the 8th of November, it's just another gathering- words from Blanche. 

After stuffing ourselves up. We played games!

Poker.

this went on the longest

Taking Photographs.

Charles wanted to try natural lighting

huge reflector thing

Pictionary.

 Girls VS. Boys

Girls had a good lead, but the boys won in the end.

And finally, what most of us have been waiting for, especially John- SWIMMING! A lot came unprepared, thinking they could resist swimming, BUT THEY WERE WRONG. 

 Water looks so good

 shots I took of them using Ingrid's cam

My only swimming shot of the day

We had pool games as well:

• Snake-snake
• Cat and Mouse
• Holding Your Breath Contest
• Swimming Contest

I thought I came prepared, but I forgot to bring a towel! :( 

Group Shots!

After everyone changed to dry clothes (I was the last one to get out of the pool), we went to visit the light house. 

Amara lighthouse

Starving, we were off to Ayala for dinner. I switched car seat with John since Ingrid's car seemed like it was weighed down too much. I rode with Charles and Matthieu at the back seat. Matthieu doesn't talk much, but boy was I talkative! Charles also did some talking, and it was fun laughing at old elementary moments.

We had dinner at the Mooon. And they're planning to go bowling tomorrow after their oath taking. Nurses, I'm surrounded by them. I went home with Charles, his driver picked him up. And then we talked some more. It's nice talking to Charles, we just talk about anything really. 

 Dinner Time at Mooon

Side note, CONGRATULATIONS Carla on the new job! :) I hope it turns out great for you!

THANK YOU TO THE DY FAMILY FOR THIS FUN DAY! 

Thank you to Timmy, Ingrid, and Charles for my ride! :) 

I only wished I got to enjoy the day with my boyfriend too. Missed him badly over the weekend. Nothing cheesy, just the truth. :) Good news is, I'll see him tomorrow! And even though while swimming and going on this fun day made me push aside worried thoughts associated to my school, it has now become reality once again. And I need to face it. School isn't so rad anymore. :(

Current facebook status:

Allie Ang

‎: without drive, it just seems harder to keep pushing :p

Goodbye Amara!

** Thank you Ingrid and Charles for the photos! :)

-allie

21: Birthday Entry

September 16: The day I turned 21

So I was late for my lecture class but I made it in time for our laboratory. My friend Herard was text messaging me that he was outside waiting for me. I went out and thought he had something important in mind, and since it was almost time for lunch, I just got out of class altogether. We bumped into my boyfriend Elwin, he seemed like he was grasping his breath from running around everywhere- that should have given it away, but it didn't. We walked to the office, since I had to drop something off for Kat (photocopy notes I borrowed). And as I entered, SURPRISE!

They were all on one side, cramped together. It seemed like they were anticipating my entrance. There was a lovely chocolate cake on the table, but I was too nervous, I didn't get to read the dedications on it. I was a bit dizzy and shy, blushing from the surprise and the birthday song they sang. 

Red ribbon chocolate cake from boyfriend :)

Friends who were in on it

Later I found out it was my boyfriend who planned the whole thing. Sweet Elwin. He ran from school to Country  Mall more than two times. He spent for the cake, the plate, fork, cups, and sodas. It has got to be the sweetest surprise anyone has ever given me. :) And now you see, one of the many reasons, why I love him. 

I look all messed up and he looks stressed out,

but I love this photo :)

After that, we grabbed lunch at Matia's with our friend Lyndon. We then went to Country Mall, Lyndon decided to go to school ahead. I decided to buy a birthday palabok for some friends to eat. After dropping off the birthday palabok, I got busy with my circuits diagram. I also decided to buy a smaller birthday palabok for my teachers. I'm sure Mrs. Manlosa got to eat it, but I'm not sure with the other teachers I addressed it to since I never heard from them about it. 


Another good news that day, I passed the Data Structures 2 long exam. It's not a high score to boast, but I'm thankful I passed it. It's not the easiest subject in the world.

We had a general meeting for PSITS that night. At around 8pm I looked over to the teachers and Mrs. Manlosa read my mind. I was going to ask to be excused since I had dinner plans with the family, but before they let me off the hook, they once again sang a happy birthday song to me and I was embarrassed. I hid behind a friend sitting on an arm chair. Such a loser move- I know! But I'm thankful of how thoughtful they were. 

We dropped Harrison and Francis off at Ayala then Elwin and I headed to UNO, at Waterfront for my birthday dinner. I celebrated it with my mom, dad, sister, boyfriend, uncle Boyet, and auntie Iris. They were here at Cebu for the week. 


Thank you to my family for the lovely dinner! :)

All of us for my 21st birthday dinner :)

Gifts I got on my birthday: 

2k is from my grandmother

$40 from my uncle Boyet and auntie Iris 

the iPhone that came earlier, I consider it a gift from my aunt and unlce

and a letter that came at 5am, from a stranger

About that letter: 

It was the first gift I got that day.It was a handmade birthday card with a GUI as a front, and when you open it, the Java codes to that GUI is  written in it. My yaya Violy said that someone was at the gate at 5am, she heard the doorbell. But when she got to the gate, no one was there. I'm not sure where the letter was left, I'm guessing at the mail box. Although there was no name, no sign of who it was from, I'm sure it was from my good old buddy Theodore "Choodur" Terdes. :) So much effort making that birthday card, thank you! 

Also, that night Elwin slept over at our place. He slept at the guess room. He stayed over to finish my circuits requirement. <3 Sorry I'm no good with that myself. And thank you for everything. I love you to bits. :)

-allie

Thank you again for the wonderful surprise! :)