A View From Above

Last 11th of March, our Abnormal Psychology class went to Bataan for a field trip. This is my first field trip with my Psych batchmates and here is how it went...

First, we went to Mt. Samat, because it was along the way, and I thought that if one must go Bataan, they shouldn't miss this mountain. Not just because of its natural and scenic experience, but also its vintage and historical feels. It is a not-so-high mountain that has an altar at some point of it, and then a cross at the most top. Here are some documents!

The class prepping to go up! :)

Mt. Samat was already constructed, so it has been a little touched away from its natural appearance, but still, you can feel your on top when you're climbing it.

The view of the cross from the lower part of the mountain

We're already at the altar! The history and I think that smaller frame somewhere in the middle is a map. I didn't read it though.

Posing with a friend, Wyngard. :) I don't know what that thing behind is. But it feels we're somewhere in the Great Wall. Haha

A mosaic glass art. This one is huge. Actually, three walls of the altar are composed of these glass arts.  It is visible on the latter pictures

Defying the heat with our smiles! We're about to go to the mini museum beside the altar, but it wasn't allowed to take pictures there. Sayang! The vintage pieces in the museum are really cool: rifles, soldier uniforms, US presidents' letters to some Filipino gov't officials, canons, old shoes, etc (stuffs during the Japanese occupation)

Way up!

That's the altar! :D View from halfway to the top

The view of the altar when we're almost at the top

The elevator within that giant cross is stuffed!

Scenic view. Romantiiiiic.

The sculptures are scaredovvvme. The weight of my appeal. Okay, I'm already haggard there from climbing all the way up. The wall behind me is a part of the giant cross.

We're inside the giant cross and we're going up to its arms! Cooool. 

We're in the arms of the giant cross! ITWASSSOOOCOOL UP THERE.

Scenic view from above

This round window (which was so in demand  to us for pictorials) is the other end of the cross' arms.

I'm enjoying the view and the really cool breeze! Mehe. The feels is like your in Eiffel Tower. I don't know tho, because never been to Paris. But the major effect of the giant cross is to be a place to view Bataan :)

Altar view from the cross' arm. This is how far we are from the a fourth from the top of the mountain

A monkey! I was surprised we'd find one, then I remembered we're on a mountain. I almost forgot because the place was already constructed in some way.

It's as if the leaves and branches are kissing the clouds and the skies. Wheeeew.

Beeeautiful. I wish that the regular roads I am walking onto are like this!

Hehe

We're on our way down. We took a different route from the ones we took to go up. That was a narrow zigzaggy staircase. This is a turny downward road

This is us! Abnormal Psychology class.

Trees. Lovely really. I was trying to suck the ambiance.

The cool road. I can imagine myself on a bike here, but that's impossible I don't know how to ride one. Ugggh. Romantiiiiic.

After the Mt. Samat stroll, we went to our real goal, to a mental hospital that accommodates patients from Central Luzon, the Mariveles Mental Hospital...

By the entrance.

It wasn't allowed to take pictures inside, so this is just one of the very few pictures we had there. It was cool there, not in the way, I'd want to be admitted there, but in a way that I've learned some things. I am a Psych major for some time now, but I'm still afraid of the possible violence from the mentally ill, but we found out that it wasn't like that. We had the opportunity to talk to some patients there, and it was pretty cool. :)

Yehey, another travel. Another place went to. Wow.

Places within the pages

I started to shrink to unreality these past few days.

When I say unreality, I mean dreams and imaginations or worse, places within the pages. Yes, I don't think they are good for the soul, well anyway, but they could be good, too. I don't really know.

People were given minds that could compensate for their ideas and ideals, so they should be maximized, not be slightly used and not be overused because both extremes could be dysfunctional. Anyway, yeah, I think I may be overusing this little brain sometimes, or probably I just have a huge brain especially made for me, 'cause as far as I am aware, I don't feel any screw loosening yet (And, I could contradict myself easily). Another anyway, I want to go to places I've never been, especially places that could hardly be real because I thought it would be romantic. When you say romantic, it doesn't have to be with a guy, right? A place could be called romantic even if there were no people there (or maybe because couples will actually love it being there? ugh. Devalues the worth).

I'll start with: RIGHT NOW I WANT TO GO PLACES I'VE NEVER BEEN. Imma rant this time.I want to go to Pemberley, to North Carolina (where, interestingly, I've found most love stories written), Green Gables, Maryland, where else, hunh? Oh yes, where was the Secret Garden located? I just wonder to what castle did Cinderella leave her slipper, or the coast roads where protagonists took their twists and turns. The house on the little prairie and other places where Laura Ingalls-Wilder spent her colorful youth. I'm thrilled just thinking about the Cemetery of the Books! Many else. What will I do there then? Just walk along these places and leave my footprints there, or probably live there for a week or two or a year or just a little while will do. Just try to witness what could have happened or what change would there be if a single feature from the place is located differently.

I don't want to imagine though that I am Lizzie Bennett or Anne Shirley, and try to mimic and live their lives. I just want to walk these places as myself rather than pretend be the characters I love. I don't know but I just don't feel like imagining I am a certain character, especially those that I love, it feels creepy and insane. Sometimes, I thought it would be better if I have been there for me to really be a part of the places and for my presence to be a part of other people's imaginations, but I realized I am doing a greater part being the thinker, being the one who imagines it all.

Aww, okay. My thoughts become so excited it explodes to randomness.

Sometimes, I think it does well to think of things which are alien to us, some of these, they really do exist. Of course, some of these are just imaginations. It doesn't do that because we don't see them, they are already fictional. Some exist somewhere within the wide earth, while some of these they do exist, but they are found within the worlds within our thoughts, and some were already part of what's past kept alive by memories and memoirs.

Someday, I know I will get to these places given the chances in life. Well, I could only go physically to the places which are literally real. And who knows who I'm going with. Hahaha

(As I was ending this blog post, I felt like there's music playing, probably the OST for Anne of Green Gables animated. Hahaha)

Some places in the classics (I don't know if the others are just replicas or they are the real ones):

ANNE SHIRLEY'S LIFE:

Anne's fictional room

Green Gables (fictional, I think)

Avonlea entrance

Road along Avonlea

Obviously, the places in Anne's life are my favorites. You've gotta read Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea to understand. Unfortunately, I haven't read the other books yet.

Here are others:

The ever dear SECRET GARDEN (fictional)

North Carolina beach

Little House on the Prairie (production design for the film, I think)

Pemberley (not sure if legit)

Crazy Schedy

I just wanna testify how great God has been working in my life, as in my life as a whole, these days!

I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT and a Psych major for that, so basically, my life is filled with papers, readings, reports, exams, and whatever else.

I AM A FRIEND, needless to say, I must spend time with my beloved friends and I must be careful to spend time with all o'em that I still see them and I am still updated with their thingies in life. Ha ha

Also, I AM A STUDENT LEADER. I serve the Lord through sharing the Gospel to other people, and at the same time discipling and teaching other student leaders like me. :) Yey, this is the tough job really because this is my full-time ministry and I have to live it, but this is what I enjoy the most.

And of course, I AM A DAUGHTER who needs to do some chores at home, well, and at the same time, a daughter who needs to spend quality time with her family. Yeps.

And lastly, I AM AGIRL hahaha who does a lot of other things like reading novels, watching movies, writing stuff, searching/surfing random things, and all of these are musts!

Probably for others this is just a portion of they're commitments in life, but for me, this life is SOOO FULL, well, figuratively, but also literally. I have to fit all of these in my limited 24/7 schedule, while still being able to get some sleep. Beyond these, I have other commitments as well, like attending the church, attending the choir practices, paying the apartment bills, etc.

Recently, I have been very busy, well, this is just a bit of my sched these past days

January
22-Psych 155 exam
23-Bible studies & church
24-deadline of short papers
25-checkout for seminar with mentor (Ate Beth)
26-the seminar: Student Leaders' Meeting (for which I was one of the facilitators) & evaluation of the SLM
27-REVIEW. Today is review (break muna, net-net lang)
28-Interview student leaders in UP Diliman
29-2 reports (Abnormal Psych & Field research in Psych)
30-Bible studies & church
ETC

And look, what I am doing now!

(Different Subjects)

Well, I do not make them sound like they are ALL really heavy commitments because some of them are not that much, but hey, hello, they keep me busy and almost cut the ties in my brain, but praise God I am STILL normal.

My main point in all of these is that God is in control. what keeps me going, what keeps me on saying "yes" to different commitments is the knowledge that God makes things possible and as according to Paul in his letters to Philippians (4:13), I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me as long as these things are His will.

Ever since I started surrendering my time and energy to the Lord, step by step, He started changing me and that included how I manage my time. It is not easy to escape the tempting flashy things of this world, lots of times, I spend my time slouching in front my laptop, doing nonsense but one time, He made me realize doing these things lead me nowhere. They're not really bad things as they are but if they lead us to disregard priorities, then they're not helpful. And then,"magically" (people would call it, I call it "naturally" if you are a child of God), He changed me, I started being interested with my studies, but it doesn't come in a click, it comes slowly, slowly being changed by God. I started to see the importance of doing tasks in accordance to priorities. And then, this tight schedule fitted all my whatsoevers easily! :)))))

I praise God for this, and I believe that He is doing these things in our lives if we just notice He is just right there and allow Him to take control. Yeheeey.

I LOVE YOU, LORD. And I am inspired to labor with and for You. 

Last Friday

Oh and uh, we just watched the movie Les Miserables (The Poor) last Friday, January 18, 2013, two days after it premiered here in the Philippines. Well, I was with my lowerclassmen friends (they're in 2nd yr college, and I'm in 3rd yr, but we hang out sometimes because I've got lotsa classes with them, long story why), and Soleil treated me! Yipee, because she just celebrated her 18th bday last December! I say this is such a lovely birthday blowout.

I was thrilled when I found out that Les Mis has its musical film adaptation, and its at the time when the story is still fresh in my memory. I have read the book more than or almost (not sure) a year ago, and I say that I was very touched by the humility and the grandness of the book. What to say? Victor Hugo was one of the primed writers of his time. Anyways, I haven't watched the Broadway musical yet, but every now and then I watch the clips and the song numbers on YT. I just love it really, and then comes this film! 

Some photos and snaps (I do not own them):

Look at these photos! :) they sure did a good job on this, didn't they?
Looks a lot same.

Anne Hathaway as Fantine singing "I dreamed a dream"

Look! Helena Bonham-Carter's there as Mrs. Thernadier. What not to love? 

Please watch this film if you haven't yet! Well, because the production was so ambitious and smooth. The adaptation was good and the gist of the story isn't cropped. I must say I found the casting good. Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried are both revelations, since they do not do much of this kind. Hugh Jackman nailed it! Well, of course, the beloved Eponine character, Sam Barks did well as she did on Broadway.

If you have a knack for classical, musical, historical stuffs, surely you'll love this. 

PS, I blog one time big time most of the time, because of only two reasons:

1. I spend a week in Pampanga w/ nothing to say, and w/ no internet connection

2. I feel lazy most of the time.

How many times to find that one?

ONCE.

Since the holidays season that has just passed, I've been digging films which were supposedly for the vacation period, but because I've been doing other things, and sometimes don't feel like watching, I wasn't able to watch some of the films I downloaded. And I believe that to watch a movie, you have to be in the mood for the genre.

Mostly, I searched for "Most blanks" or the "Top blanks of the decade". And during the vacation I had these genres on my list: Musicals (old/new/indie/mainstream), Superhero films (because I feel like being a kid), Love Stories (not really romantic films. Those are different), Suspense/Detective, and Award-winning films. Well, it sounds like I've downloaded or watched many films, but not really. Haha. Those were just the genres on my search list.

And then I got across the film "Once" starring musicians Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova. I found out that that song Falling Slowly sung by Lee de Wyze and Crystal Bowersox in AI came from this movie. Grabe, this song makes you remember your debts. I mean it like the old people do.

I downloaded it like weeks ago, but I've only got to watch it two nights ago. The film is lovely. I mean lovely. It is very plain and simple and the soundtracks (mostly written by Hansard and Irglova as well) were superb (too much praise. ehem). This film is an indie musical, and uh, a love story. When you say it is a love story it is something about love and it can be about anything. The film is about a week of two strangers who met and journeyed with music. Well, I don't wanna tell so much because when I watched it I didn't know anything about it, but I'll post snaps from the film na lang. And mind me, it is not your typical love story that has kissing scenes and what-not's. Ok, spilling a lot.

First they met. :) Hihi. I just had to post it because I think the setting was lovely.

They're about to sing Falling Slowly! 

Just some stroll.

What I loved about it is that they are both non-actors and just legit musicians, and it was obvious but I think it was really great. Hehe :) And I've just learned that they had this low-budget film adapted into a Broadway musical! I don't know much abt it yet, but I think it lovely. I hope to watch more movies like this! (giddy giddy)

(photos are not mine)

Journey to Being Lady Kate... ehem

Every move I make, every step I take (these past few days), something keeps on bugging me: BEING A LADY. Haha. Define "lady", (google google google)

 Lady - n. woman regarded as proper or virtuous, a well-behaved young girl

From The Free Dictionary

Oh well, no discussions needed, I am far from being that "noun", but I want to be that now. I am eighteen, and I don't feel like I am acting my age. I am acting well, a little years back. I think my age though, I just don't feel like I act it. It's kinda hard to explain. 

This thought's been bothering me like forever, I want to be there. Segway: I like to be a little old-fashioned, so I keep saying "being a lady". 

So, how? How could I be a lady? I've been having these mental notes of to-stop's and to-improve's and to-be's among my actions so I'll be an official lady. Hahaha. This dilemma is really weird.

Here are my proposed steps:

1. Stop running along the corridors.

2. Stop yelling (be gentle, I mean).

3. Improve laughing (be more lady-like. If you know what I mean)

4. Improve walking (walk like a queen, even if you're almost late [ugggghhhh, can I do this?])

5. Stop thumbsucking (if I can control it)

6. Improve talking (talk like you make lotsa sense and lotsa money [huh?])

7. Be organized.

8. Stop being so emotional

9. Be pleasant to people

10. Be cheerful (well, I alread have this. OA na nga eh)

11. Would it do if I would go to the CR from time to time and check how I look like?

12. Stop quitting and man (or lady) up

13. Improve self in things I like to do (eg writing, singing, befriending, fashion designing)

14. Improve in learning.

15. Improve eating style (hahahahow?)

16.

17.

18.

I've got other ways that I can hardly put into words. These are the physical manifestations of being a lady for me, if you're not this person, it will be very hard to cope into an all-new set of habits and ways, so there is one key that will reach into the depth of dealing with this journey:

 IT MUST COME FROM THE HEART

Cheese out. Haha. Well, really, if it's not you, you must want to be it. If it won't come from the heart, it would be useless, somewhere along the road, you'll get tired and get back to where you started. Haha. If it really is coming from within, it will reflect on your outward look. The inward us is the best trigger on how we do things. :)

Being a lady is a tough work especially with these child's minds in us. Haha (Or is it just me?). I think the best reason why I can't get past childhood is I like being there. I enjoy the flexibility, the cheerfulness, the lightness... the humility, honesty and all things that make childhood seem white, but I must kick these flats off me, and wear my heels. It's time! Yea. I really need to convince myself that I'm no more a child. :) Bon voyage! 

The Same Stuff As Stars

The first novel I've read this year:

This was the first book Yna, my college bestie, gave me on my 18th bday (just last Oct). First because she gave me two, one was on the exact date of my bday and the other on the celeb. Anyways, I find this book really cool.

Ever since before, I have a knack on the concept of "stars". I just find it so amazing, being so far away and still being there before our very eyes. Haha. Well, I loved this book because of the innocence, dreaminess, and (touch of) realism on it. It is about a little girl who has a nasty little brother (but really is a good boy within) and a mom who isn't responsible enough to take care of them. Their mom left them under the care of their great-granma since she couldn't take care of them and their dad is behind the bars.

The character, Angel, was only 11 and she had to stand up and be the grown-up. I actually felt guilty, while reading this book, because I know that though this is fiction well-written by Katherine Paterson, there are children who really experience these turns in their lives, while I am slouching in front of my laptop, doing nothing really worthy.

Oh well, the magic of the novel is the comfort and the hope Angel finds in the stars, and meeting people who encourages her on learning about stars. :)

What I've noticed with Paterson's writing is that it always has a deep stab on family matters, and on old people. Well, that's what I noticed with the two books by her I read. Can't really judge just w/ those two, right? 

I find this book really sweet and simple. A very humble book, yet page-turning, I started this last night and finished it just as I reopened it earlier this night, so this is a really easy read. :) 

These are some quotes from the book:

"...people can't always keep their promises. Even when they want to."

"Yeah, we're small, but we aren't nothing."

"The same elements, the same materials that make those stars up there is what makes you. You're made from star stuff."

HappyNewYearBoooom! :)

Okay. Hey, 2013. I hope we'll get along well. Yay.

13 New Year's Resolution (no order really):
1. Be a lady (this resolution still has subs on it. Too lazy to write 'em all down, so I guess let's just wait for results)
2. Study more diligently
3. Be more organized
4. Help in the household chores
5. Don't miss a single thing (whatever it is 'cept gossip, I can miss that)
6. Control tongue
7. Read 70 novels
8. Write with passion! (Please, please, please)
9. Treat everyone special everyday.
10. Save money!
11. Limit time spent on internet
12. Love purely, selflessly, honestly
13. MOST IMPORTANTLY, grow more into love in Christ

Well, I don't really know what it means to have um, a NY's resolution. Is it something that we want to see or what we want to do? Well, even my question was confusing. He he. Anyways, I just surrender it all to God. It is never easy to do something, especially when it involves change. Most of the times, we do not need to wait for another year to come for us to get into change, we have to get into it soon as we found out that the sack we're in isn't the right one.

I want to feel an overwhelming and pure joy throughout this year and the years to come. When I look back, it seems like too much happened when it feels like it was just 2012 few days ago, well, life. Hihi.

I guess we just have to make and grab the most out of it.