Today is the end of the second week of classes and this morning, I had a very interesting experience.

In my first and second subjects, we had these discussions. My professors encourage students to participate in the discussion and contribute their own thoughts. And people really talked a lot in both subjects! At first, I did not know why I found that so stressful. But well, I just realized that I still haven’t outgrown my shyness when it comes to recitations and class discussions. I don’t even think I can call it shyness. It’s more like an inhibition. I don’t like speaking up when there’s a discussion going on. I don’t think my opinion is needed. And I just hate it when I make mistakes. I think that’s really one of my biggest flaws. I hate making mistakes. I hate bothering my classmates with my [wrong] recitation answers when they could be spending time listening to the right answer, provided of course by the professor. I don’t like asking questions too. I’ve encountered teachers in grade school who seriously hate it when students ask questions, so I think it just stuck with me that I shouldn’t ask questions and should just let the teacher talk. It’s also annoying how my professors single me out every time because of my performance in recitations. I don’t know if it’s because I’m doing well or if it’s because of my seemingly stupid questions.

I tried talking to people about this, and this morning I talked to my best friend/boyfriend, who is seriously one of the smartest and most insightful people I’ve ever met in the university (no, really). I told him that I’m just not used to speaking in front of many people and it’s embarrassing if I say the wrong things. Well, he said making mistakes is part of learning and regarding the speaking part, he said I wouldn’t have gotten a high grade in speech class if I wasn’t good at what I was doing. But come to think of it, I only got to pull off my speeches because I looked and acted like I knew what I was doing. I’m obviously not the most confident person in the world but that’s how I pull off most of my speeches. I ACT. Haha my dad told me the same thing once when I talked to him. People only see what’s outside, so if I looked like I knew what I’m talking about, they’re going to listen to me and if I make a mistake, who cares? He said it’s just like when I’m performing onstage. He knows that the stage is my home, I don’t feel intimidated when I’m on it. He’s seen me perform a lot of times and he told me that he could see that when I’m onstage, I don’t show any sign of nervousness or shyness and even if there are so many people better than me, I show people that I matter. And when I make a mistake, they don’t even notice. My boyfriend agrees, and tells me that I should treat the classroom as my stage if I get the jitters. Really corny, but it might work.

I need to have good grades this term, and I think I’ll do better if I start believing in myself. I’m really scared. If you have other things to help me achieve this, please tell me! I would love to read your opinions! :)

Wow, I haven’t been blogging much! I never realized how busy I was the past month… Well, I got my grades a week ago and I’m so glad I got good grades even though it was super difficult to maintain my GPA due to the minimal load. Haha I’m still in the Dean’s List, yay! :) I have to work harder for the next few terms. I only have 5 to go! :D Anyway, I am taking a summer class right now. I don’t really need it, but I’m just taking it in order to advance. I just shifted so it would really be a big help if I still want to graduate on time. It’s really difficult, though! How can you cram 14 weeks worth of topics, activities, and exams in 3 weeks of summer classes? It’s insane! And it’s not just a minor subject, it’s a pre-requisite for my majors! And it’s really different from last term’s math subject because last term’s focus was differential calculus (which I like), but this time it’s integral calculus and it’s really killing me! But I think it’s just the fast-paced summer term though. We had our first quiz yesterday and although my professor was kind enough to make it an open-notes test, it was still hard. I hope I pass, seriously. And I hope I do better in the financial applications part of all these integral calculus whatever. Haha.

So while I am studying in school every single day, my parents and my brother are in the province, having the time of their lives. They seem to be enjoying themselves and they make sure to call me every day so that I would be jealous. Lol. I love my super crazy family, I wish we were all there! Oh well, I’ll make sure I’ll pass this subject so that I don’t regret not going on vacation this summer. I hope I get to relax soon, though. It gets pretty tiring. Heehee so how have you guys been?

I am currently taking a break from studying and I’m glad that I can blog during my free time. Anyway, I’ve noticed a lot of changes in my life recently. I’m usually adaptive, but some are really big changes and I don’t know how to respond to them!

Change #1: I can eat chocolates again!!!

Well, 4 years ago, my cardiologist told me that I am not allowed to eat chocolate. I really, really loved them but it was okay with me since it was for my own health anyway. I craved for them once in a while, but I never ate them (oh, I’m such a good girl lol). But then this month, I went to the Philippine Heart Center for my regular check-up and my cardiologist said that I have “no dietary restrictions” anymore, so I can eat whatever I want, right? When I realized that, I was so happy and great timing, our family friend in the US sent lots of chocolates! He must have had this feeling that I could eat chocolate now. Haha this is paradiseeeeee!

Change #2: Dad gets assigned to ARMM

I just got a text message from my dad this afternoon saying that he’s now officially assigned to the police regional office in ARMM (Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao). As I said in my previous entry, my dad is a police officer and he gets assigned to different places as part of his job. When I was young, he used to work in Cavite, Batangas, and other places. But the point is, it was near Manila so we could still visit him every weekend, or he gets to visit us when he has the time. He got assigned to Interpol too, and he travelled to different countries, but he only did so when there were operations; so he always came back and stayed longer here at home. Now, it’s a really far place and he would need to stay there for a long time (not that he can come home every weekend, though. It’s going to be costly). To those who are not familiar with Philippine geography, we have three major islands: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Luzon is at the top and that’s where Manila is (so that’s where we are), and Mindanao is like waaaaay south. I guess we would just have to make constant contact and check on how he is doing; that’s the most we can do right now. We will just support him in his decision and I know that it’s going to be good for everyone anyway. Oh, and did I mention that he might be able to visit his hometown? I think that’s going to be good for him because he really wants to see how it’s doing! He hopes that it’s not such a violent place anymore so that he could take us there someday. I think he’s going to do well there :)

Change #3: Pescetarian diet HELLO MEAT DIET

This scares me a lot. I don’t know why. I think I’m just used to my pescetarian diet; I mean, I’ve been going meat-free for 3 years and now that I am actually REQUIRED to eat meat, I don’t know how to begin putting meat in my diet again! I actually feel bad because I like my fish and veggie diet more, for many reasons. But then whenever I visit my cardiologist she always tells me to eat meat and my brother told me this too, because of the protein and iron content something. I don’t really understand fully since I’m not a medical student, but apparently my heart needs the protein that meat gives and that the protein from fish and soy won’t be enough for me since I have a special condition. The same goes for the iron content. *sigh* I don’t really know how to start doing this. Well, I started consuming chicken again and got terrible tummy aches the day after. But I guess it is because I overdid it and it’s just my first time to eat chicken again. I think I’ll start slowly. I don’t think I’ll go back to eating pork, though. I just don’t like its taste. Yuck.

I never really realized that this year was a leap year until yesterday. And since I had an extra day in my hands, I thought that I should use it in something worthwhile since it only comes once a year. And I’m glad I got to spend it in a fun way instead of just sleeping the day away (which is usually what I do, haha)! :)

Well, the only plan for that day was to accompany my friend to my dad’s office because she had to interview my dad for her writing class. So I went with her there. It was funny when we were on the way to the office because my mom’s car broke down and it wouldn’t start. We were stuck for a while in the gas station and we just waited there until it got fixed. It was so hot and sunny! I hated it. But then it just took a few minutes and after some time, we arrived at the police station. It was actually my first time to see my dad’s office! I never knew it was THAT far from home and school. And the traffic and heat was just unbearable. But it was fine, because when we arrived, we got to have pizza in his office! The heat makes me hungry, alright. We also watched a little bit of the impeachment trial before my friend started the interview. It served as our ice-breaker because the trial was just so funny especially when Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Atty. Vitaliano Aguirre fought. It was the best thing ever!

I actually got to know my dad better while he was being interviewed because the questions weren’t just related to his job but to his duty as a father as well. I got to know how he thinks of certain things and why he didn’t bring us with him whenever he got assigned to different places. I always see kids who always move in and out of places because their parents get assigned to different locations, but my family stays in only one place. I never got to spend a lot of time with him when I was young because he was always away. He was even assigned abroad during the first three years of my life. I also got to know why he was keeping a low profile while many people in the same line of duty would do anything and everything just to get noticed. When he was asked questions regarding those matters, I finally got to understand why he does the things he does, and it felt so good to know more about a parent and his traits. I think that was one of the best things that happened that day.

So after the interview, my dad decided to bring us to Greenhills to have dinner. And then, he invited my boyfriend too! It was a surprise because I really thought that we would never meet that day (I don’t have classes on Wednesdays but he does). But there, my parents really thought of him first. I’m glad that he and the members of my family get along. He’s a wonderful guy and everyone in my family loves him! My uncle came along too and as usual, we talked and laughed a lot and I could tell that everyone had fun. Too bad my siblings weren’t there. But it was fun spending that day with the people I love. I think that’s what really matters. :)

Oh, and today, I found out that I’m [still] eligible to graduate with Latin Honors! Wow, there’s still hope! Thank you, DLSU! Haha!

Okay, this post is a bit too late because the announcement already came last week, but Atlantis Productions (the company that produced the Manila run of The Little Mermaid) is holding another audition on Saturday, this time for season 2012’s Aladdin! Oh my! When I saw their announcement, I really couldn’t contain my excitement! Remember my blog entry where I said that I got sick the day before the auditions? Well, this time, I’m really well and I’m so excited to experience it! Besides, I already fit the age requirement! Apparently, Atlantis was originally planning to stage Shrek this year but moved it to 2013 because it was chosen to stage Aladdin for this season. So awesome, right? Now I wonder how they’re going to do all those carpet rides and magic stuff!

Anyway, back to the audition. So I was already searching for a good song and it’s nice that an acquaintance of mine would also go to the auditions, I would have someone to talk to while waiting and stuff. But then my parents didn’t allow me now that I am well. I don’t know why this is always happening to me. I’m so disappointed. I really, really want to experience these things and just hone my skills along the way but I guess that will never happen. My parents introduced me to theater and “encouraged” me to do my best in it but when I fell in love with it, it seemed like they’re taking my art away from me. It’s always like this. This happened too when I was still singing in the university chorale. They were so bent on taking that away from me, I don’t know why. But I quit the group to please them. I don’t even sing as much anymore. I don’t think I will again. It’s really a big deal for me because I grew up doing these things, but now it seems like I can’t do the things I love anymore. Oh well, why am I even hoping that I can still change their minds and let me perform? I’m bound to be a corporate kid, and while I have no problem with that, I wish I can pursue my first love as well.

I only have two days of classes this term and it’s cool, I get to sleep for soooo many hours. It feels so great! But sometimes it gets boring too. Sometimes it drives me crazy because I just sit or lie down and have nothing to do. Anyway, school’s fun so far. I really like my subjects and I really hope that I do well. I’ve made new friends too in one of my subjects. Having friends always helps and makes things easier in school. I would have people to talk to and laugh with during those crazy times. It’s always fun to have those moments.

I’m liking my Economics subject too. My professor is really good and I can feel that I’m going to learn a lot this term. I liked my first microeconomics subject but it is only now that I really got to appreciate economics to the fullest. My professor is just so good at explaining things and applying them to real-life situations. I got inspired to go to graduate school because of him and yes, I’m going to take up Master in Applied Economics, still at DLSU of course. My parents agreed so there! I’m so excited! I’m actually getting the hang of this business thing, and though I know that it will be difficult along the way, I know it’s going to be a great ride. The support I’m getting from everyone is overwhelming :”>

So there. Just a quick update before I go to bed. I have to pass a final outline for speech class on Friday and I don’t know how I’m going to do it! *facepalm*

Hey! I haven’t been blogging during my break because a lot of things came up and I was so excited to catch up with so many things! I just played the games I left behind during the last break and I’m so happy because I’ve gone so far since the first time I touched the console. Yay for RPG’s! I missed gaming soooo much and I am making the most out of my break. I am going back to school on Friday and I won’t be able to play the games as much. I only have two days of classes in my schedule but I plan on using the other days for studying and reviewing. I’m taking Finance subjects next term so I really need to do well.

Hmm, so what happened during the break besides the holidays? Oh yeah, I got my grades and I am a First Honor Dean’s Lister! It was really unexpected so I was so happy when I saw my GPA! At first I was just like, “Hey, I got the grade I wanted! Yay!” but when the other grades started popping up, I just couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I hope I can maintain this so I’ll always have advanced enrollment, LOL. But seriously, this is an achievement! I never even dreamed that I would be able to get such an award but I’m just glad that my hard work paid off. I’m so thankful for a great term and I hope the next would be just as awesome.

But it’s so annoying because after that happy day, I got the flu. HAHA it’s so weird! It lasted for about a week, I think? I hate being sick! It was so hard for me to move, speak, and eat. I don’t really celebrate the holidays but my parents make such a big deal out of it and prepared lots of food for the occasion. All I wanted to do was sleep, though. I really lost my appetite during those days because I couldn’t taste anything. I lost a lot of weight too, which is not good because I don’t like being too thin. I need to eat a lot again now that I’m fully recovered. Yeah, it took a long time before I could say that I’m well again.

So how is everyone? :)

(Photos from Broadway World and Playbill)

My boyfriend and I watched Atlantis Production’s The Little Mermaid musical last night at the Meralco Theater. When I heard that this Broadway production was going to be staged in Manila, I got really excited because The Little Mermaid was one of my favorite Disney animated films and I was really curious on how they are going to recreate the magical undersea world onstage. And hey, it didn’t disappoint! When I entered the theater, I knew why everyone was raving about it; the set was really beautiful, and it hasn’t even started yet! I also liked how there was this storybook narrative flashed at the stage, it really brought back good memories. And when I heard the overture, I had this silly little girl-ish smile because in that instant, I felt like I was being magically transported to their world. I have nothing but good words for the orchestra. Good job!

Well, I have nothing but good words for the cast too! Rachelle Ann Go is simply the perfect Ariel. She had this spunky but innocent side to her, and she made everyone smile too! She is really, really good! And is it just me, or is her theater voice different from her usual pop singing voice? Nevertheless, I loved it! Her notes were crystal clear. Her acting is very, very convincing. She was just perfect. Erik Santos, on the other hand, was indeed very princely in his portrayal of Prince Eric. I have always loved his voice, and he’s a really good actor too! He’s got potential. Now I want to see these two back on stage together! Maybe in another production?

As for Ariel’s friends, I really, really loved Lee Villoria as Flounder! The same goes for Enrique Canoy as Scuttle. Positoovity! OJ Mariano as Sebastian was really good, too. He’s the source of laughter for the whole play. I loved it! His Under The Sea number was marvelous.

Oh, of course, who would forget King Triton and Ursula? What I like about this play is that there’s an explanation here on why Ursula hated King Triton so much. Calvin Millado really fit the role of King Triton. He was commanding and regal, but had a fatherly gentleness too. I cried in the part towards the end where Ariel and King Triton reconciled. It was that good. And Ursula? My gosh, Jinky Llamanzares did not disappoint! I love how she portrayed Ursula; it was twisted, and she delivered her lines perfectly, with that matching theatricality that the Ursula in the animated film loved doing. Her singing was excellent, too. I think she was the most applauded character in the theater at that time!

And of course, the songs. We still have those familiar songs such as “Part Of Your World”, “Under The Sea”, and “Kiss The Girl” (which, by the way, is my favorite in this show because of its very creative atmosphere). I just couldn’t help but sing along! There are also new songs but nothing to worry about, the new songs incorporated into the musical fit well with the classics. I actually liked “If Only”, a quartet between Ariel, Prince Eric, King Triton, and Sebastian.

Overall, I can say that it was a splendid musical treat. It met my expectations, even exceeded them. If you have the chance, do watch it! The run will be until December 11.

I actually missed watching theater plays! I’ll do this more often. Hmm, season 2012? Who’s coming with me? :D

Okay, the last week really sucked for me. I wasn’t able to attend last Wednesday’s auditions because I got sick the day before! I don’t know how that happened. Seriously. I was so well during the start of the week, and I was so ready to try out! But then when I woke up the next day, I had a really hoarse voice and a terrible cough. I tried resting and not straining my voice too much but it didn’t work. I was still feeling horrible. And, well, when I woke up on Wednesday, I checked my temperature. 37.9 °C. Dang. My parents just told me to rest and wait for the next season’s auditions. *sigh* I was so looking forward to that opportunity…

I don’t have the fever anymore, but my voice is not yet well. I still have the cough, too. I think it’s going to take a long time before I totally recover.

Wow, it’s almost a month since I last updated! I’ve been really busy with school stuff for the past few weeks. But it’s fine, I’m still enjoying the term. I’m done checking on my shifting application. I passed the shifting exam for Finance so I’m officially a Finance major now! *happy dance* It’s a bit weird though because enrollment is only a few days away and the professors I chose for the Finance courses are Accountancy graduates. Um, I’m scared. LOL they might ask me why I shifted XD

Oh, I am also attending Atlantis Productions’ open auditions! <3 My boyfriend told me about it last week and when I found out, I just couldn’t stop screaming! I mean, I once said that I wanted to have another try in this performing thing, right? I’m getting it now! I really, really love going to things like this. After all, I just want to try it. I mean, if I get in, that’s a huge bonus! I would get to experience theatre at a whole new level! But if not, it’s fine. At least I got to feel how it’s like standing there in front of everyone I admire. :) I just hope I don’t mess up, though. I’m practicing hard now and I hope I do well on the 23rd! Oh, and I am still going to perform in my teacher’s concert on the 30th! Woah, lots of things coming up. This is going to be intense. I’m excited!