CMSC2 ba 'kamo?

CMSC2
Looking back on the semester that was, I realized that out of the 6 subjects that I have, CMSC2 is in my top three favorites. I liked CMSC2 because it sounded easy. Duh, how hard can studying the Internet be? When I finally registered for my 2nd semester, I realized that I was in for a really good treat. Turned out Sir TJ became my lecturer. I knew him way back 1st semester because he edited our video for my ENG105 subject. I knew that he liked the weird Pringles Blueberry and Hazelnut. I also knew that being taught by him was fun. I was not disappointed. Every single CMSC2 lecture class was not boring because of his childish and crazy antics. He never failed to make us laugh before the class started. He would also show some really cool videos he edited just to liven up the class. One hour never seemed enough for us. Our lab class was just as fun. I like sir Myk because he’s smart and funny and sometimes sarcastic. I like how he made us blog for the first part of the semester. I like blogging, maybe that’s why I thoroughly enjoyed his class. He also imparts these really cool trivia on just about anything under the sun. He made me feel like I wasn’t just studying the Internet. Moving on to some of the things I didn’t like about CMSC2, the only thing is I am way older than my classmates. I hate being older. Maybe that was why I did not try to interact with some of the ’09 kids. I just don’t like the way they speak, the way they act, heck, even the way they dress. Since CMSC2 is my only subject this semester that has students from different courses and batches, I have no comparison at all. Good thing I have some batchmates and really close friends who are taking up CMSC2 this semester. Now I don’t feel so alone. I think I’ll end CMSC2 with a bang, because of the group project which includes a photo and videoshoot. Hell yeah, I’ve been totally craving for one. Thanks, CMSC2, for livening up my 2nd to the last semester here at UPLB.

"UPLB's dreaming of a white Christmas.."

Every time my roommate and I walked out of our dorm to buy food, we would check out the building of the Christmas tree beside the Admin bldg. As the days passed, we got a little more disappointed because the tree wasn't as beautiful as last year's. The branches they used were white, and the balls covered just one side of the tree. Plus, the branches were spread so thin, I could see through the damn tree! I was also wondering about the Hansel and Gretel theme. Whyever would someone think of a Hansel and Gretel theme for Christmas. It was just so inconsistent with the other decorations. I was also weirded out by the "second floor" they JUST HAD TO INCLUDE in the Belen. My friends and I were laughing because we were wondering out loud how one of the Three Kings got up there when apparently, there was no ladder. The campus looked so dull because of the lack of enough Christmas lights. I think the only cool decoration was the Santa sleigh and the reindeer! Cool how they made it look like the reindeer really were suspended in air. Well, 'nuff said. I just hope they do a better job at decorating next year.

PHOTOS

all photos by me

2010: Year Of Sin

I'm just kidding. I was a good child in 2010. I was on the honor roll, and I didn't break anybody's hearts. I was tempted to, though. Kidding again. I became a better person last year. Definitely. Well, here's a few highlights from each month of my 2010. :)

JANUARY


Weeeelll. I think I spent 3/4 of my January in UP Diliman. I was doing a lot of research, and I practically had to go to Diliman every weekend, and on Mondays too. I got to spend a lot of time with my fraternity brothers there, who are a lot of fun to be with, and my favorite people in the entire world. Especially, I got to spend time with my ex, who..I still liked a lot back then. Haha.

KARAOKE HELLYEAH. (photo by me)

The guy wearing blue is G-boy, and the guy wearing black is Salba. Yeah, I did some research, but I got to hang out with them too, and look! We're at TechnoHub, karaoke-ing our hearts out. :)

TechnoHub (photo by me)

Up dharma Down also went to LB! They had a gig at Java Ave., courtesy of the Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority (cheers!) I had so much fun that night, and got drunk, and went home very happy. The end. Haha.

Armi of UdD (photo by Mocha Miranda)

FEBRUARY

I think the highlight of everybody's February was the FebFair, which was, in my 4 years at UPLB, extra controversial. First, there was no electricity for the first night, and (this happens every year) was in danger of not pushing through. But, I had fun with my brods and sisses, so what the heck. Here are some pictures.

 Me with batchmate Jen (photo by me)

 Me with brods and sisses (photo by me)

oh look, fireworks! so that's where our tuition fee went. (photo by me)

MARCH

Nothing much happened this month. I just spent my March rushing around UPLB and UPD, returning books, borrowing books, writing and passing papers, taking exams. Whew. March was stressful. I think it was because I was anticipating summer so hard, March decided to be extra difficult on me. One upside? I got to shoot one fantastic video with my IT1 mates. Too bad I can't remember where they uploaded it. So I can't put a link in here. Sorry. Had no pictures either. :( Boo.

APRIL

NOTHING HAPPENED. IT PRETTY MUCH SUCKED. I JUST STAYED HOME AND SLEPT AND ATE AND SURFED THE NET AND SLEPT AND ATE. I WAS A BUM. A BUM. AND IT WILL HAUNT ME FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

MAY

Finally! Some action! I landed a part time job as an assistant DJ at ICON, and learned how to spin live! Was scary at first but then I got used to it. Man, it was hard work, definitely. Took me a long time to learn to concentrate on the music and watch the people. See, it goes hand in hand.

ICON with Joseph Jamir and a few guests (photo by Ronald Ramos)

JUNE

I joined the UP JAPANOLOGY SOCIETY. HELL YEAH.

It started with Jap10. And Sir Mendoza. I was totally interested in joining, and when he told the class that JapSoc was accepting applicants, me and two of my classmates decided to join immediately. We thought the process was difficult, and it was, in a way, but it was oh so worth it, because I am now a member of the greatest socio-cultural/civic organization in UPLB. *SWAG*

JULY

Bagyong Basyang happened. Had no classes, no electricity for 24 hours. Stayed up late telling ghost stories with room 34 girls, and pigged out on water and stale Oreos. :|

AUGUST

Eiga Kan by the UP JAPANOLOGY SOCIETY

T'was a three-day film festival at CAS Annex 2 MPLH1. We featured one live action film (Grave of the Fireflies) and one anime (Princess Mononoke).

our teaser for Eiga Kan

We also had our annual alumni homecoming. I didn't have fun, because I was the host, and I was required to remain sober all throughout the program. So I relegated my duties to some other sister and went home early. *LIKE A BOSS*

me with an alumnus. (photo by Lau de Guzman)

SEPTEMBER

BUSY BUSY BUSY. RAN AROUND CAMPUS FINISHING THINGS. PHOTOSHOOT, PAPERS, REHEARSALS, WORKSHOPS, EXAMS, VIDEOSHOOTS, DEFENSE, TECH RUNS, EXAMS, PAPERS. OH, DID I MENTION PAPERS? KILLMENOW.

OCTOBER

THEA 108 finals. We staged two OWZUM productions, Dasalan at Tocsohan and Ang Kaso ng mga Petunya. :D

a scene from Dasalan at Tocsohan (photo by Reg Delicano)

Stayed in Batangas for 1 and a half days. Swam, pigged out, got drunk, had heart to heart talks with the best girls in UPLB. :)

Ondine parody (photo by Rash Caritativo)

NOVEMBER

PUROPARTY.

DECEMBER

Unfair month. I got very sick right before classes ended, and so I got to spend the last week of classes in the hospital. Yay. -_- Laptop crashed, and I lost all my files. I was not able to watch Faculty Follies because I had a very important meeting the very same night. So basically, this was a very bad month. :(

The End

Well, not really. I hope 2011 is better. 

Oh wait. 2012's next. Yep, we're fked. :|

Linux vs. Windows...not.

          The Linux and Windows operating systems shouldn't really be pitted against each other, because both are good in their own right. I've used Ubuntu in my IT1 class, and it's really user friendly, although I got used to using Windows for my operating system. In fact, my laptop's OS is Windows 7, and I'm enjoying the virus-free system. I also grew up using Windows operating systems, from Windows 95 to Windows 7, but if given a chance, I would also add Linux to my operating systems. (too bad my laptop isn't built to handle two operating systems at once. or I'm just too lazy to find out. haha.)

          One of the upsides of using Linux operating systems is because it's practically free. (duh. FREEWARE.) :o another thing is that it's got lots of cool games, and it really is user friendly. Plus the icons on the desktop looks so neat and organized even if the user isn't really neat AND organized. Although Linux OSs looks hard to decipher at first, once you get the hang of it, you'll be able to enjoy its perks. 

          Using Windows has definitely a lot of upsides too. If you are using Windows, then you surely must've enjoyed its numerous perks, like the Movie Maker and Media Player where you can burn CDs. I don't know if Linux has a movie maker and media player that can burn CDs too, but if I find out information on it, I'll be updating this blog.

          Personally, I prefer using Windows, because it's what I'm used to. But I would love to give Linux a try too. Perhaps a new laptop. Mom? Where are you? New lappy, por favor, mi mama. :))

References:

Windows according to Wikipedia

An overview on the Windows OS

Linux according to Wikipedia

Linux history

VERSUS

HMM. NOT REALLY. :))

          

Trivia questions: what is the name of the Linux mascot, and why was it chosen to be included in the logo for Linux?

Answer: the cute penguin's name is Tux. Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux OS, had a fixation for "flightless, fat waterfowl" (according to Wikipedia) penguins in particular. 

(Weird. But there are a whole lot of other reasons why Tux is the mascot. Haha.)

         

Top Ten Things To Do Before You Graduate From UPLB

This list isn’t in particular order. J

10. Watch a play at DL Umali.

This will be hard not to accomplish, since everyone who has taken up the GE course Hum2 has been required to watch a production at DL Umali. But if you’re not from UPLB, well, the ticket rates can go from P50 to P150, depending on how big the production is. One thing’s for sure, though, every production staged at DL Umali is enjoyable.

Dioscoro Umali Auditorium (photo by me)

9. Climb Flatrocks or Peak 2.

This is an experience one should not miss. Usually, there’s a climb organized by the UP Mountaineers, but if you prefer climbing Flatrocks or Peak 2 with friends, by all means, go ahead. Here are a few tips on what to do if you’re going up.

A.      Wear comfortable clothes. For Chrissakes, do not wear heels or slippers. Wear sturdy sneakers or rubber shoes with non-slip soles. The tracks can get a little slippery, especially in the rainy season.

B.      Bring two bottles of water. One is for drinking and the other for washing. Which brings me to..

C.      Soap and water solution. This is to ward off those humongous leeches that stick to you and never come off until you’re dried off. Not to scare you or anything. Haha.

D.      Bring an extra shirt and a face towel. You will sweat a lot, plus there’s a creek at Flatrocks with really clear water, and you will want to swim in it. ‘Nuff said. :D

E.       Do not bring an iPod. Enjoy the sounds of nature. But do bring a phone and a flashlight. It will come in handy when it gets dark and you don’t know your way back.

8. Have a taste of the famous Raymundo proven.

               Proven is by far, the most famous street food in UPLB. One can buy it at Raymundo for P15-P20, or more. It’s so delicious, even without vinegar, and you can eat it with rice. Yum. Now I’m craving.

(photo from Google)

7. Watch the Oblation Run.

                It is held annually at the Oblation grounds, more known as the academic triangle, more known as “in front of Hum steps.” Naked men from the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity run around in their birthday suits waving banners that bear political statements. No Elbi experience is complete without getting to watch the Oblation Run.

 OBLATION RUN 2009 (photos by me)

6. Sleep in the Lib.

                If you’re a student of UPLB, then you have surely taken a nap in the library during your Eng2 days, or whenever you have research to do. I always scout the coldest part of the library, surround myself with books and drool away. (I’m kidding about the drool part)

UPLB MAIN LIB (picture from Tumblr

5. Go to an org/frat/soro sponsored party.

                If you’ve partied in Eastwood or Katipunan and enjoyed it, then I’m sure you will have a whole new take on the partying scene once you’ve partied in UPLB. I highly suggest sponsored parties because you pay P100-P150 then you get rocking music, free-flowing booze and games where you win really cool prizes like money and/or shirts and other stuff. Some of the parties I enjoyed were Class Recess by the DeMolay, Unsilent Night by the UP Ranchers, and EC Gives Back by the UP Entrepreneurs.

 CLASS RECESS (photos by me)

4. Eat at one of the open tambayans.

                Whenever a fraternity, sorority or organization is celebrating their anniversary, they hold a series of activities within campus. One of these activities is the open tambayan, where they, well, open their tambayan to the student public and feed them pancit, ice cream, lechon and various other food.

Isabela Soc open tambayan (photo by me)

3. Go for a walk at the Never-ending Bridge at midnight.

                This bridge behind the Main Library is rumoured to be haunted. When you walk here at midnight, alone, you will find yourself unable to reach the other end, hence its name. I strongly suggest you walk with a friend. J

2. Pull an all-nighter at Boston Cafe.

                They have unlimited coffee along with the breakfast meals (pancakes or waffles) and if ever you find yourself needing an all nighter, this is the place to go. There are three Boston Cafe branches along the Grove, one of which is at Robinson’s Town Mall. Another is One Caldi, which is beside One Silangan Place.

(photo by me)

1. Walk to Junction to eat at Jollibee.

                This is fun to do when you’ve been studying all night and desperately need a break. You will find that walking to Junction isn’t as tiring at midnight as it is in the morning or afternoon. Do this with housemates or friends and you’ll have a blast. :p

 Cheerios, kids. Enjoy your Elbi life! :D