Hello guys.

Since my last post, many things changed. The year incremented. We finally had our 32″ Samsung Series 4 LCD TV and 250GB PS3 here in our studio-type room in Katipunan. I’d like to post of a picture of it but sadly I don’t have any decent camera anymore. The new and improved Jollibee Katipunan is up with more space and better architecture.

I’ve been busy keeping myself busy even with a lot of stuff I don’t usually do such as doing reflection papers, studying for exams and helping my groupmates in group works. To keep myself from burning out, I find myself amused playing my favorite PS3 demo game, Mushroom Wars and my only full game Call of Duty 5 courtesy of kuya Jehz.

I don’t really know what’s in store for me for the next few months. I’m thinking of quitting something time-consuming I’ve started last year but I’m still unconvinced of my lame reasons (to have more time to enjoy my life). I really don’t want to quit but I’m in a way unsure if I can devote enough time for it. Waaaaaaaaaaa.

I never believed in the power of coffee as an effective stimulant.

Ever since I started to drink coffee, it always failed its “purpose”, to wake me up. Yes it wakes me up but for a very short period of time only, after which I feel sleepy or depressed.

Yesterday afternoon, I had three doses of Grande White Choco Mocha – one during a meeting with a company and the other two during my free time. I’m really not used to drinking coffee as I always preferred cream-based Frappuccinos whenever I am in Starbucks. Continue reading “Coffee and Depression” »

After Typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines, this is only my second post across all my blogs. I’m now conflicted with final exams, requirements and other responsibilities.

The photo above is me, studying for my Math 54 final exams barely 3 hours from now. Good luck to me.

After all my final exams, we’ll be bracing ourselves for our last days of training for the ACM-ICPC Asia Regionals 2009 which is on the 22nd and 23rd of October. Woot!

After October 23, I’m more or less free-er than ever. I’ll be attending the Mindanao Bloggers Summit 3 (also my third MBS) on October 24, 2009 at Cagayan de Oro. I already booked a ticket to Cagayan de Oro. Sadly, I have to leave Cagayan de Oro for Davao the same day.

Wish me luck.

I did not have time to blog since Ondoy’s wrath as I kept myself busy with lots of stuff. And by the way, last Wednesday was my 18th birthday! Belated happy birthday to me. It’s been a long time since I had a personal post in this blog, waaaa!

I’m not good in putting things to order, seriously. That’s why I’d prefer making a roundup of my thoughts.

• This will be the shortest sem ever. Last June, the start of classes was moved by a week due to A(H1N1) craze. Last week, typhoon Ondoy also forced schools in areas under State of Calamity to suspend classes for a week. Add the numerous miscellaneous holidays such as the funerals of former President Cory Aquino and INC leader Manalo.
• It’s less than a month before 2009 ACM-ICPC Asia Regionals. It’s my first time to join the competition so I barely have an idea on how it will progress. I can only rely with my experience on our mock competitions.
• Long time no swimming. I missed our weekly Sunday swimming. It’s over a month since I last went to Amoranto Sports Center.
• Tried helping in relief operations. Last Sunday after mighty Ondoy poured a month-worth of rain in Metro Manila, I heard horrible news scoops in DZMM’s audio stream such as floods reaching the second floor, people stranded on their roof without food and water overnight, etc.I felt an unusual urge to help so I convinced my sister to go with me at Sagip Kapamilya. Throughout my four days there (mostly night to early morning), I’ve tried carrying sacks of rice and other relief goods. I’ve also experienced distributing relief goods to affected areas.
• We have plenty of generous people. I was overwhelmed by the volume of donations being dropped-off at drop-off stations. I never thought people actually donate in foundations. Some clothes they donated were even brand-new.I’ve also met this couple from King Air Trading who volunteered to deliver relief goods using their truck. Their truck, the one we’re riding was supposed to go to an evacuation center in Mandaluyong but people already left the center when we arrived. The couple took the initiative to go to NDCC in Camp Aguinaldo to ask for an alternative destination. It was almost 1am when we left NDCC for our trip to Marikina.
• The Internet played a crucial role in dealing with Ondoy’s aftermath. People used social networks to spread emergency numbers and other important information. Online spreadsheets were also used to compile a list of people that needs to be rescued. Digital maps were used to map drop off stations for relief goods, missing people and other relevant information.
• I’m addicted to weather satellite images. Yesterday, I started compiling satellite imagery from PAGASA.
• I have a new haircut. The other day, I was so bored that I stopped by to have a haircut. After getting a haircut, I was still bored that I decided to spend the rest of the night surfing the Internet in a coffee shop.

I admit that I’m not good in writing. I write in super simple English. Feel free to correct my grammar if you spot a grammatically wrong sentence.

In 30 days, my age will once again increment by one. I will be turning 18. It means I will have to memorize my new age again – and based on experience it takes me around three months to master my new age. Seriously.

18 (eighteen) is the natural number following 17 and preceding 19. It equals ten and eight, twice nine, nine times two or three times six. -Wikipedia, 18

Age of Majority

18 is the age of majority in the Philippines. All my adult rights will be granted and I will have to assume responsibility over my actions and decisions. I will be permitted to (as listed in Wikipedia):

• Bind to contracts. Does this mean all the other contracts I’ve signed myself (not represented by someone of legal age) won’t be honored by the court? Woot! I’ve also heard that legal age in the Philippines is 21, but I’m not sure about it.
• Buy stocks. I can be rich by buying stocks. I’ve started playing the stock market (Neopets’ stock market) at age of 12.
• Buying or consuming alcoholic beverage. I am now legally permitted to buy alcoholic beverages above 60 proof. Just a trivia: did you know that Presidential Decree 1619 only prohibits minors to buy alcoholic beverages above 60 proof? Fortunately or unfortunately, most local beers are below 60 proof.
• Drive motor vehicles on public roads. Sadly, I don’t have a car. Donations are welcome.

Things I want to do before turning 18

There are several things I want to do before the police can legally arrest me and put me on jail. Here’s an overview:

• Reach (18*3) kilograms. My weight is currently pegged at 49 to 50 kilograms. Yesterday, someone told me to gain some weight. I’ve been eating much lately but I still don’t gain weight.
• Reduce transportation costs. The cost of going (from/to) school (to/from) home is 22 pesos. I’m thinking of walking to school daily (drat, I have to wake up earlier).
• Eat more.
• Swim at least once a week. For the past four Saturday or Sunday excluding yesterday, I’ve been swimming at a community Olympic-sized pool.
• [your suggestion here]

Waaaa, I’m turning 18. This can’t be.

Free PLUG: I’ve seen this ad in Plurk.