Push Up

I have tried push ups at school during P.E. classes and sometimes at home when I exercise, all of which are done the way push ups are done by most people. Today, was a first: I tried  push ups while someone was sitting on my back. Take note, however, that it was part of a dare and the circumstance is for fun.

 

We were playing a game because our volunteer duties are coming to an end as the event itself comes to a conclusion. Same day as its last day is the birthday of our supervisor. We have come to celebrate it with simple bonding moments.

 

With this body type, even though the game master was not entirely sitting on me (as claimed) and had requested only five, push up was not easy. Haha! Everybody laughed, cheered, and enjoyed. This new experience, with newly met people, is worth our while.

I had a fun night.

A Number of Test

The last day of Civil Service Exam Review (courtesy of LPU CAS Faculty) officially ended last Friday, April 04. As night fell, the question that normally grow on regular days grew as well this time, am I ready for the actual exam?

After the pre- and post-test, the lessons I have learned over the course of my educational background since pre-school is once again put into challenge and the results were just quite satisfactory. I got 59/85 in the first and I might not know my score in the latter. This means to say that my knowledge expertise over a particular topic is inconsistent wherein for a regular three-unit minor subject during class, I usually get higher score.

That is seconded by CEM (Center for Educational Measurement) tests I took during high school. For four years, the results varied for English, Mathematics, and Science. Once, I got higher in English than in the two. Another time, I excelled better in Mathematics than in the two. This shows that I can actually do well in anything if I put my mind into it but I just will never get everything all at the same time. It is like saying to get a high score for one, I have to sacrifice the other scores to be just average.

The day of the Civil Service Exam came and my mother and I arrived in the venue at almost exactly 6:30am, the call time. The exam started by 8am and the examiner decided to brief us of do's and dont's only by that time so our three hours and ten minutes time alloted for answering lost by more or less twenty-five minutes. So wise in using one and a half hour of preparing when that itself had excess time.

Overall, I answered all the items. Like everyone else, on some items I am sure of my answers while on others I was not. For the remaining, I totally guessed around twenty items because I had no time to solve or properly go back after I skipped them.

After all the tests I took since I was young, I don't know why suddenly my anxiousness activated. I had my dilemmas before but sitting on a chair for so long and just answering a test made me grow tired. As a result, I don't know if I did so well. The goal was achieved - complete the test - but there is no telling how high I will get.

This is just a number of test among the tests we have in life: the test exam itself and how we will overcome the test problem of answering the exam when the exam itself has a lot of problems to be solved. Expect more in the real world because graduation is next and a new chapter of tests will come - some are like what we have encountered before while some are new.

SEW Hard*

Today was the first day of the Civil Service Exam Review, the first day of experiencing work environment continuously. Three more days left and let us see if I can do this.

The review is from April 1-4, from 8am to 4pm. This means to say that I wake up early but might go home late. Doing it for four days is an exercise to the future of working everyday. No more vacation, just rest day... or if lucky, rest days. Go to work, go home, go to work, go home, and so on. Will I still have time for barkada or family getaways? I will become exhausted but I know I must continue because it takes a lot of effort before I become stable and regular.

In relation to that idea, on my home a while ago, a random thought came to me that I want to make an entry about it. The idea is very common but I just like to document my experience of it.

I have been working before on a project-basis so I already know how it feels even though they have time gaps. When there is not enough manpower, we can be summoned and it was a nice experience. However, the allowance that we earned for taking part in the event does not match the energy we exerted in accomplishing our tasks. Today, I am still a student but I am done with going to school. I am just waiting for our graduation. As they say, we are grad-waiting. I am going to school but for a different reason. It is still studying but it is no longer required.

My mother still gives me allowance because I am yet to look for my job. My work before was an eye opener to what lies ahead of our field. Back then, I still had the luxury to spend for wants and needs without fear of empty pockets. We are provided financially. Today is different. We are nearing the period wherein parents are still providing money but it is now just for the mean time that I search for a job. When I work, it will be my own money that I use not only for myself but also for my family.

We really have to work hard because spending is simple and easy but earning those money before we get what we like other than our needs, we have to sweat and use our strength. That is one slice of life. Now I realized how hard it will become for me by experiencing it myself and not just watching my mom and brother go home, sleep, wake up, and go to work day by day.

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*SEW Hard - may also signify "to stitch for the life you want" but the first thing it means is "Spend Easy, Work Hard"

Grad Prep: Tie and Shades

This day ends with me acquiring these basic accessories that will also help in achieving the look I want to imitate - sunglass and necktie.

 

 

As I have shared in my previous entry entitled "Grad Prep: New Hairstyle," I am going for an Artemis Fowl look. This cover design basis is from Eoin Colfer's last book of the series.

 

Today, finally, is the right time for me to complete my preparation; this is what's left on my plate now. The necessary haircut has been achieved last month, thanks to the help of my friend. I'll leave the hairstyling to the artist. But for the remaining elements, I was able to locate a similar necktie - neon green. This gives me delight and pleasure to actually portray the character completely. Although for the eyeglass part, it looks more like goggles, I found a fit alternative - round sunglasses.

 

I can't wait for the day... photoshoot, here I come!

Grad Prep: New Hairstyle

How often do I prepare for a legit photoshoot? Come one! More or less five only. Now is another chance to showcase how I want to be seen in our yearbook.

 

I do not have to worry about my picture in graduation toga and in business attire. Those are provided in the set. Creative shot, however, needs more preparation. But as it turns out, I can still manage to achieve what I had in mind by sticking to simplicity yet appearing grand.

 

As early as December 2013, some students have already made an appointment to schedule their pictorial. Since I was not part of that first group, I have not given my style that much thought. I don't want to be stressed out for something I can think about later on. I had to do the first things first.

 

I tried to think simple, something that will look impressive (like in a cosplay convention) but still grounded on simplicity. Only two was shorlisted as I was looking for options.

 

A) An anime character - Kaito Kid:

 

B) A book character - Artemis Fowl:

 

After much deliberation, I went with Artemis because as I listed the pros and cons, his look is more achievable with what I presently have. I know that I won't be disappointed. The appeal of this shot excites me on executing this to a reality. I'd also like to try a Kaito Kid imitation, but I guess that can be planned in the near future. Right now, I'll focus on this photoshoot. You know, cosplay can be a hobby that is very expensive. I can only do so one at a time.

 

The first step is getting a haircut, which becomes something new to me as I will be asking for a style I haven't tried yet. Growing up, I only chose between a crew cut and a barber's cut. Now, I will take the mushroom style. I don't know how to present this kind of hair on a daily basis but this change is quite good. I'm liking it. I'm just not sure how often I'll have this kind of haircut. We'll see!

TNT: The Name's Thom

"These powers, they're just part of you, Thom, but they're not all of you."

-Lila Creed

 

 

Although the title is common, I still gave it a shot. After all, do not judge a book by its cover.

 

Well, basically, the cover page and the title says a lot about the story without so much as reading the synopsis. Try the contents and be amazed at how magnificent the construction of the story was. It had its own twist and turns in this world full of ordinary people, special people, and even extra-terrestrial beings. For those who are looking for a world of heroism with powers and stuff, check this out.

 

I read comments about this novel in goodreads.com. I agree to some points but I would not totally dump it. Yes, the action took place on the latter half of the book but on the first half, the tension was just building and that's how the author decided to do it. The heroes may somehow be similar to known those we know like the mutants in X-Men and others. In terms of originality in that part, it may have scored low but they were necessary part of the novel to display the events the author had in mind. There were a lot more.

 

As I was browsing and reading more comments, one thought came to me and this is purely an opinionated thought from my point of view: we don't have to be so critical in literature; we just have to learn to appreciate the story and its lessons. I know, I know. If we don't get critical, how can there be good quality outputs and such all stuff that concerns the world of literature. But it's just that simple if we are looking for a way to pass out time, to get entertained, while still learning at the same time. Once again, this is just my opinion. I'm just saying it as it is. Cheers!

Flipped

The first time I flipped, I was still in kindergarten. It was below a double-deck and because I like to reach the bottom of the upper part while laying, I lifted my feet and tried to make contact. All that happened is an accident. I was small and there was no way yet that I'll achieve my goal. Instead, I went sideways and went straight to the glass of a  furniture.

I do not know if this is a faint memory or just a figment of my imagination. I did not confirm it with my parents but I believe I'm in the real world. Still, how could I say, I have no evidence.

I like the idea of alternate narration in a first person point of view of this novel by Wendelyn Van Draanen. I like the style of starting the flip with the girl and ending the flip with the boy - suggesting that in the end, the guy eventually fell for the girl. I have not been in a relationship yet but I have seen in many movies (yes, poor me, I know) that it takes some time before someone you like return the same likeness. Most of the time, the one that we like likes someone else and they just ignore the way we look at them. Being able to change the way how they feel towards us is an achievement. Also, well, their flip is obviously different from my flip.

Love in the eyes of young people is an interesting story to follow. As they say, love is the universal language and that love can do things you really can't explain. I certainly like the concept as it was portrayed.
 

I watched the movie and I decided that the book is a lot better. I mean, with all the effort to make this into a motion picture, I give them credit for that. However, I appreciate it more in text because what I felt while reading it was not felt while watching it. Just sharing my thoughts. Cheers!