Random thoughts

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.

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3. For the record: my longest weekend.
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