Tick-tock, tick-tock

Jeline texted me the other day:

"Aalis na tayo in 4 days!"

That was almost two days ago.

EEP.

Today all my non-Boston responsibilities officially ceased to exist. I finished an arrangement of "Kahit Kailan" for the AHSGC, finished a VIDEOKE project (for which I am getting a mere pittance), finished the study mp3 for the ad libbed parts of "Movin'" (thanks to Carlo, who did everything actually --- I'm so going to end up a producer -- a demanding one at that -- whats with the "--"?).

*Giddy*

My packing abilities will be put to the test right after I publish this entry. Yesterday, I made a list of things to bring to Boston with me and I have taken it upon myself to beat Jeline's 20 minute packing record (what would very easily qualify as a "quickie" --- i intend to do a "quickier").

Thanks Jeline for being such a cool blogger. My blog now sports its own CLOCK. Would have been an immensely cool idea except for the fact that the Boston time it shows is exactly the same as Manila time.

I suddenly realize that I have never owned a clock in my entire life. Nor a pencil case. I think I'm gonna go buy a pencil case now. Maybe after this song.

LISTENING TO:
"Ewan (Apo Hiking Society)" - if there's such a thing as comfort food, there's such a thing as comfort OPM. And it's the music of these three fine Ateneans.

P.S. Go to Carlo's blog and read about the kidnapper who was shot point blank, fell 5 stories, put in a casket, and was discovered to still be alive. It's all those dumplings I tell ya. Something in them dumplings...

Last Weekend

U.S. Visa arrived today, finalized my travel itinerary, about to start packing, finishing all harang related activities by today, taking time out to think about Ninoy and what has become of his daughter Kris.

It's odd that I still don't feel like I'm about to leave for good. Even the people here at home don't seem to be getting "senti." Not that I'm complaining. It's just I'd been expecting to have some sort of telenovelic episode, well, anytime now. Who knows, maybe mom will burst into the room crying and complaining about losing her baby boy. *Cringe*

I am "bedless" and happy. My considerably big bed has been taken from me. Dear, dear Katz and JP paid me a semi-surprise visit last night and semi-decided to sleep over. If only I can take them with me.

Tonight I will watch the Madz's homecoming Concert. They will be singing an arrangement of mine. It is a punctuation of sorts. Actually, I'm quite ecstatic. I have always been shameless about my groupie-ness when it comes to the Madz. There is just something about them and their music: audacious, true and by all means beautiful (hey those are three things!). The moment will be made more perfect by the presence of JP, who has come home for a brief respite from his own rest-of-his-life. He jokes that he mysteriously felt compelled to come home only to find out that he did so just in time to hear the Madz in concert. I believe him, actually.

Ahh, Belen Cuevas

Oh how I cried.

Yesterday Ate Belen, my childhood yaya, found out that my Boston plans were pushing through. She also found out that Tita Malou had been instrumental because she co-signed my loan application. This was a surprise to her as she never really warmed up to that aunt of mine. Ate Belen always thought that Tita Malou was one who loved to show off and liked to tell people how eager she was to be of help.

Yesterday Ate Belen found out that Tita Malou helped me out bigtime. So she got up early in the morning (long before the sun had risen) and cooked her special "suman." She drove to Bellflower City and handed the "kakanin" to Tita Malou and thanked her "...para sa tulong mo sa alaga ko..."

I cry still.

The Old and the New

I had heard that the 2004 Olympic Opening Ceremonies were going to be all about the Old and the New and, my , my , my, were they correct. It was a beautiful experience getting to watch the event (a part of it detailed, in symbols, the history of human progress --- from tableaus of Greek philosophers to a huge laser light depiction of the human DNA floating in the center of the stadium). Made me feel happy for an unbroken couple of hours. Few things do that to you. Even Mister Jackson had to do it in installments.

The event had reached it's climax as the ueber high tech torch (which I think resembles a really big cigar) was lit and it flipped back into position, flaming proudly against the Greek night sky. It was rousing.

I didn't think anything could ruin the moment. But against all odds, my father was able to! I hate spilling out too-personal details of my life even to my closest friends so I'll just say that we had a quick verbal tiff. Well at least it was supposed to be a tiff, 'cause he got angry at me when I told him that I had intended to sell my computer. Of course, I got angry back because my computer is my SOLE POSESSION. It's the one thing I bought with my own money and took care of as something that I owned. And, hard as it may be to sell it, I have to because I need the money for my September rent. And he has the gall to get HURT because I was doing that. What did he think was I going to do with it anyway? LEAVE IT as a parting gift?? Ribbons and all!? *Sigh* Anyway, I can't believe I'm still furious about it.

I guess I'm just really touchy 'cause these days I feel as if nobody, not even my parents, seems to realize that I really am leaving. Or more like: when it comes to my leaving for Boston, people seem to have the memory of a goldfish. Last night, while chugging beer at Emman's party, Chris suddenly blurted out: "Shit GP anlapit mo na umalis!" Uh. Right. Bukas, mas malapit pa. At sa makalawa, mas malapit pa lalo.

LISTENING TO:
"You will be my Ain True Love (Sting)" - loved this song since I first heard it. Love Sting. Making me feel better as I type this.

Friday the 13th

The Olympics start today. Yesterday people on CNN were talking about the "Olympic truce" or the "echeiria". It turns out that, because of this echeiria, 10,000 children were inoculated in a war zone during the 2000 Olympics. Now, let me get this straight: humanity HAS, in fact, an existing truce for PEACE that EVERYONE has been observing since 9 B.C.!? We just can't observe it for more than a few days. That's a load of crap, fellow humans. What, peace is too boring to do ALL THE TIME? Sheesh.

Hey, I just realized that today is going to be my last Friday the 13th in the Philippines (at least for the next couple of years). I reckon the coming days will bring forth many last things for me. I can't help but feel anxious about the rest-of-my-life that is about to happen. I feel like I'm on the edge of a ledge and, assured as I may be that there is something beautiful waiting after the fall (and that I'd survive the fall, for that matter), it just kinda sucks to have to be the one to let go. Can't someone just push me over?

Edge of a ledge. Catchy.

LISTENING TO:
"The Prayer (arr. Robert Delgado)" - rare recording of the Ateneo College Glee Club and the Philippine Madrigal Singers singing together.

Expensive Humor

Came across this site, thanks to Carlo. Now thats what you call a WHIM.

Hey! Now, we have a first name for the F()CK#R. CAPTAIN EDWARD MURPHY. Faye and I are right now talking about evil Ed. He just really sucks doesn't he? Anyway, we are talking about trudging along despite Ed's (sometimes EXPENSIVE) sense of humor and stuff that we're having to sacrifice because of his law. We all just gotta trudge along. So trudge we shall.

I want my powerbook NOW. grr.

Danke Schoen und Achtes Fenster

I never thought I'd have something to write about only hours after my first blog but here I am. After having spent the better part of my day trying to decipher the patterns behind Guyguy's banging on my Korg Trinity, I have at last my peace and quiet. And, surprise, surprise, a couple of things to write about!

Let's begin with the thank yous. I would like to thank Andrelinas (see links section and click on "Jeline" for background info) for helping me out with my blog template. After a little tweaking here and there, Madame Anjeline and I have finally figured out how to put up a LINKS SECTION. Yaaaay. I'm surprised to find out that blogger.com does not boast a "blogger wizard" of some sort that spits out a spanking new blog at the users' click of a mouse. At the very least something that will not require me to tinker with the CODE. Oh well. Maybe it's God telling me I'm too lazy. I would also like to thank KFC for my dinner. One thing to look forward to once I land on American soil: cheap but tasty fast food. Jolegs even told me about this restaurant with TAKE OUT BUFFET. Sanamagan.

Anyhoo, here's the bulk of my second blog. It's actually taken from an email I sent to our egroup. I'm being risky by posting it here. If Monsieur Consul from WINDOW 8 (Achtes Fenster) of the U.S. Embassy receives RSS feeds, I'm toast. Anyway, here goes:

Rainy Monday Blues

Hola everyone. I'm back, still reeling from my interesting day at theembassy. Before anything else, I'd like to announce that I've beenwhat you might call SEMI-APPROVED. Here's the story.

My day started at 1:30 AM. My restful slumber was disturbed by a phonecall. I answer:

GP: "hheello?"
ROBIN: "Hi Geefeeeh!"
GP: "o?"
ROBIN: "AY TULOG KA BA?! BAT ANG AGA MO NAMAN MATULOG?!"
GP: "visa interview ko mamaya lola"
ROBIN: "AH! Ehehehihihihi. Okaaaaaaay tulog na uliiiiit goodniiiiight..."

Something like that. Tawa ako nang tawa after that conversation.Anyway, as I started to go back to sleep I saw, invitingly perched onthe bedside table, this book that Sir Jojo lent me. PREY by Michael Crichton. Sabihin na lang natin na sobrang galing ni Michael Crichton magsulat. I read the book until I finished it. And when I did, it was already just a few minutes before I had to wake up. Wunderbar.

I left the house at around 5ish am for my 730ish am appointment. As I leisurely drove along Buendia I noticed that the sky was BLACK ahead of me (which gave me book-related jitters... you really should read the book). Wunderbar. So anyway I parked in front of Starbucks Padre Faura and walked to the embassy, armed with my folderful of documents (perfectly arranged for easy access and organization), my white jacketand my orange umbrella. To be greeted by what seemed to be a mile worth of people in line for their interviews. So there I was standing in line with around 200 or so people on thesidewalk of Roxas Boulevard, with a black cloud above me and highly enterprising Pinoys hawking everything you might need, from ways to take 2x2 pictures to ballpens, to folders, to UMBRELLAS. They made a killing that day because, as promised by said black sky, it rained.And it poured. They must have sold 50 umbrellas. At one hundred each that's not bad at all. At that point I figured: this must happen a lot (rainy day on roofless sidewalk in front of American Embassy) for these Pinoys to be ready for it. And at THAT point I started thinking: at 5,600 pesos per application, these two hundred people soaking in the rain are worth 1, 120, 000 pesos! MORE THAN ENOUGH to to cover the expenses of putting a simple roof along the sidewalk.

After a few more minutes of America-bashing in my mind, I entered the embassy and walked towards the side of the Pavillion marked 7:30.There was a guy shouting: "O PILA NA DITO ANG STUDENT VISA APPLICANTS." I was right in front of him. So I managed to be second in line. I was given a stub with "1001" written on it. Apparently, the first number they give out there is 1000. So things were looking up. When we got to the "documents check" section, the man in front of me (mister1000) realized that he lacked the pink thingie that the bank gave out when you pay for the application. He was faced with no other option but to step aside, wonder where in CAGAYAN DE ORO he might have placed his pink thingie, and just settle for another visa interview.

So here I was first in line and, I figure, first to be interviewed as well, right? It was not to be the case. After this lady with long pink fingernails (what is it with the Embassy and the color pink anyway?) told me that everything about my application was in order she told me to go ahead inside and wait for my turn. I entered the "interview area" and sat down to wait.

A couple of hours later, and after having had a front row view of people getting denied one after the other, Istarted to fear window eight. The window 8 consul was much worse than the notorious Korean girl, I kid you not. He listened intently to the person he was interviewing, showing no signs whatsoever that he was bent on denying said kawawa person's application. And then he'd say "Actually, based on the new laws of the United States of America you are ineligible.Thank you." Bi@@@tch! So, anyway, I was glad I was just seeing this. And then the screen in front of me flashed: "1001 ----- WINDOW EIGHT."I felt like I was just flushed down the toilet. And after saying to myself: "CONFIDENCE... CONFIDENCE..." I walked up to him.

CONSUL: "Hi how is your day?"
ME: "A little wet but otherwise fine" (REAL ME: "Not so good now thatI'm in front of your window."

We launch into a conversation about my application.

CONSUL: "I see youve been denied a visa once"
ME: "Yes."
CONSUL: "Do you know why?"
ME: "You know what, to be honest with you, I really don't know. But Itrust the consuls decision, she may have thought I wasn't comingback."

CONFIDENCE.... CONFIDENCE...

CONSUL: What instrument do you play?
ME: Piano.CONSUL: But do you sing?
ME: Of course. I'm a member of a choir.
CONSUL:What kind of choral music do you like the most?

I was singing Sir Agot Espino's "Magsiawit Kayo" in my mind whilewaiting for my turn. Nice song, by the way. Glad it's now part of the ACS mass rep...

ME: Folkloric songs.

At this point I explained to him what folkloric songs are, telling himhow interesting the folkoric songs of other countries are and that...

CONSUL: Sing me one.

I didn't see that coming.



CONFIDENCE....CONFIDENCE......


ME: Oh suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuure. You know what, I'll sing you a song thatcan be considered an AMERICAN FOLKLORIC SONG.

ME (sings with full voice, as if I had all the confidence in the world in me): "GIVE ME THAT OOOOLD TIME RELIGION, THAT OOOOOLD... you know what this is ACTUALLY what we sang for you guys when we applied for our visa last time. Now you get to hear it solo.... TIME RELIGION. GIVE ME THAT OOOOOOOLD TIME 'LIGION, IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR MEEE."

confidence....confidence....

And to make a long story short, after a rather loquacious interview and an entertaining song, the consul was pretty much convinced. I then thought to myself: "ITS IN THE BAG."

CONSUL: I'm gonna give you a temporary denial.

GREAT.

CONSUL: "It doesn't really mean anything. It just means that I need you to submit some other documents. Your application is strong so I think it's as good as approved. Besides, you did sing for me."

So here I am suddenly nursing a mysterious flu and writing this lengthy email to announce that I have been semi-approved. Orsemi-denied. Hassles notwithstanding, I'd say this was a very very interesting rainy Monday.


So there. I did it. Mister Consul, if you're reading this.... I love you.


As a postscript, I would like to congratulate Sir Jojo for setting up HIS OWN blog. This should be interesting. I wonder if Gary Graden has one too.... Hmm.

Overture

I have given in. I never thought I'd find myself writing my own blog but, alas, here I go.

The first thing you may want to know is "What's up with the title?" I blame Trina Belamide for that. A few weeks ago I was at Robin's place cramming for the Dr. Hofileña Tribute and we were busy with the "Anthology" CD design. Robin had just finished it and was asking us for our opinions. Trina said something that sounded like gibberish and then burst into laughter. Apparently she was trying to ask Robin kung "kasya siya sa short bond?" Problem was, she couldn't. She literally couldn't say the phrase. At which point (and being the curious Pinoys that we are) we (Aying, Robin and I) subjected ourselves to the self-deprecating motions of trying to say the phrase over and over. We couldn't. I've never witnessed Manay laugh so hard. That was the point when I realized how much endorphins laughter can produce. We trudged along and finished what we had to do. The tribute and the CD were big hits and we had a bagful of funny memories to take home with us.

So here we are: me writing this blog and you reading it. Strange. If you want to find out who Dr. Hofileña is and why he deserved a tribute, or if you wanna check up on me to see if I had new funny memories to write about then read along and welcome to my Blogworld. It is mine and I shall call it "Susan."


But first, you gotta say it with me.... "Kasya siya sa short bond?"