I Still Write You Poems

It's funny how I can go and toss up the oldest Cantonese song I know with the most archaic lyrics and all the depth that I could ever hope for, but in the end... in the very, very end, when all's been said and done, and I've memorized the lyrics and what it means and put it in my heart, it could never mean more to me than the lyrics of some other, comparatively simpler Mandarin or Cantonese songs. Perhaps it's the way they're just a raw declaration of the feelings the artist harbors, or the way the words stick to me right away and it's a no fuss way of understanding the song, but I've inwardly cried and died over those simpler songs countless times more than the deeper ones.

I will list some of the lyrics of some of the songs that have moved me (prepare for an onslaught of Chinese):

霍建華 - 你好就好

只要你好就好 你好就好
其他的我不計較
就算我會煩惱
就算我會焦躁
就算我會被忘掉 (I just about died when I heard this line. It's like... gaaaah, ouch ouch ouch...)

劉德華 - 練習

我已開始練習　開始慢慢著急 著急這世界沒有你
已經和眼淚說好不哭泣 但倒數計時的愛該怎麼繼續

我天天練習　天天都會熟悉 在沒有你的城市裡

陳慧琳 - 我會掛念你

我會掛念你 當分開千里
就算我世界 有繽紛天與地
我眼內仍是你

傳達遠方 聽筒裡熟識聲線
期望你會好好開始一天 (This line is amazing)
臨睡我會以一張照片可再見

陳慧琳 - 兩個世界

兩個世界　應該在哪裡交彙
或許我　對愛有著太多的無聊體會

周杰倫 - 安靜

我會學著放棄你 是因為我太愛你

陳奕迅 & 梁漢文 - 拔河

你別再拔河
真心不是誰比誰坎坷
能捨才能得
淚水不能解幸福的渴

張信哲 - 不要對他說

哭得累了的你看來睡得好無辜
在你耳邊輕輕說出最後的要求
不要對他說出一樣的話
不要對他說 夜里會害怕
別說你多晚都會等他的電話
別說你只喜歡他送的玫瑰花
因為這些是我僅有殘留的夢

不要對他說一樣的話語
不要對他說你總是愛的太懮郁
別說你最渴望他能為你而淋雨
我願忍受折磨
獨自去擁有 曾經的溫柔

光良 - 都是你

想念的心裝滿的都是你
我的鋼琴彈奏的都是你
我的日記寫滿的都是你的名

陳慧琳 - 短消息

有些事情　你永遠不會忘記
我猜這就是刻骨銘心
...
我多麼愛你　又多麼想你
...
明明想忘記　卻藏著痕跡
多麼痛恨這樣矛盾的情緒

陳慧琳 - 對你太在乎

對你太在乎 沒什麼抱負 能不能明天再結束
我要你在乎 是要你放慢腳步 只想彼此都不厭惡

劉德華 - 狠心的一課

在未來我應該怎麼做
...
結束後請永遠忘了我
...
我脆弱我真的無話可說

王菲 - 紅豆

我們一起顫抖 會更明白 甚麼是溫柔
...
可能從此以後 學會珍惜 天長和地久
...
有時候 有時候 我會相信一切有盡頭
相聚離開 都有時候 沒有甚麼會永垂不朽
...
等到風景都看透 也許你會陪我 看細水長流

陳慧琳 - 紅絲帶

我已有禮物他有嗎
當我要喝便有茶
不快樂嗎
...
若然我快樂有余 可轉贈嗎
若與他分享更歡樂嗎

古巨基 - 愛得太遲

來日別操心　趁你有能力開心
世界有太多東西發生　不要等到天上俯瞰

周杰倫 - 晴天

還要多久 我才能在你身邊
等待放晴的那天 也許我會比較好一點

陳奕迅 - 全世界失眠

想起白天的約會 忘了晚上的咖啡
...
一個人失眠 全世界失眠
...
如何想你想到六點 如何愛你愛到終點
...
想起我的時候 你會不會
好像我一樣 不能睡

孫楠 - 燃燒

你　躲在我心裡　讓我有心跳　忘了你我就活不了
...
愛　已經不太重要　重要的只是　我忘了把你忘掉

劉德華 - 肉麻情歌

我慶幸 我明白 簡單一個愛
喔~我多瘋 我多怪 就妳最明白
我呼吸 我開心 因為妳存在
隨妳說命歹 我幸運 才得到妳的愛

陳奕迅 - 十面埋伏

分開一千天　天天盼再會面
只怕使你　先找到我
但直行直過　天都幫你去躲
躲開不見我

周杰倫 - 珊瑚海

海鳥跟魚相愛
只是一場意外
我們的愛(我們的愛)
差異一直存在

許志安 - 時差

我慢你半步　請別逃　離別我你太早
我慢了半步　想不到　拿著交給我的激情
還給你感情　誰料天色已蒼老

許志安 - 他送你回來以後

他送妳回來以後
我常一個人到外頭走走
我以為我至少可以想通 一個爛理由
他送妳回來以後
我假裝沒有太多的難受
這樣有一天妳真的要走 不必我點頭

陳慧琳 - 體會

莫讓夜裡充滿傷心的氣味
　然而事實總相違　你的容顏難淹滅
亂了心扉　亂了時間　白天夢迴夜不睡
　心在反覆糾結　好不疲倦　不曾埋怨
願你體會　一一體會　多少心碎多少醉
　是淚或是笑靨　全是為你　真情絕對　不曾改變

王菲 - 天空

我的天空 為何掛滿濕的淚　
我的天空 為何總灰的臉
...
但願天空 不再掛滿濕的淚　
但願天空 不再塗上灰的臉

劉德華 - 天生天養

天生天養 邊走邊唱
聆聽自己的心至上
不理風向
沒華麗的色相
面對天空開個唱

王心凌 - 我會好好的

我是想著你 一直想著你 你在我心底 變成了秘密
...
不要說你愛我 你想我 如果你的心裡沒有這麼做
...
我要你默默走 不回頭 我會清楚明白你要的是什麼
...
到現在還是深深的 深深的愛著你
是愛情的友情的都可以

言承旭 - 我是真的真的很愛你

誰叫我已愛你成性
總有一天可以用力緊緊抱住你
畢竟繼續的呼吸也要有點目的

阿杜 - 下雪

爽約了諾言
白茫茫的世界碎成雪
...
終於在下雪　意味著離別
我心頭的雪　不知還有多久才融解

許志安 & 韓紅 - 相愛多年

讓我如何忘記　忘記曾經相愛的諾言
讓我如何忘記　忘記你那可愛的臉
讓我如何放棄　放棄我們相愛多年

陳慧琳 & 周傳雄 - 再見北極雪

應該為你笑過 為你哭過 為你生怕錯過
我們選擇分手那一刻想著甚麼
會是怦然心動或是沉默
如果夢裡再相逢 北極還在下著雪
是否能再次握你的手

張學友 - 祝福

失去過 才能真正懂得去珍惜和擁有
...
願心中永遠留著我的笑容
伴你走過每一個春夏秋冬
傷離別 離別雖然在眼前
說再見 再見不會太遙遠
若有緣 有緣就能期待明天
你和我重逢在燦爛的季節
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The Word of the Day!

http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/scripts/showword.php?id=24148

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If You Forget Me by Pablo Neruda

I want you to know
one thing.

You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail
toward those isles of yours that wait for me.

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.

If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide
to leave me at the shore
of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set off
to seek another land.

But
if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine.

GUESS WHO'S BACK?

If you thought the camwhore was gone... YOU WERE DEAD WRONG!!!

WHOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Last night, the camera came back. And guess who multi-orgasmed camwhoring everyone? That's right. Just point those eyes in my direction.

Last night was special because of many things. Let me recount them to you.

Special Thing # 1 (yes, my paragraph titles are so creative, aren't they?): Uncle Edison came back from Singapore! Yes, it's been 6 years (yes, that's right 6 YEARS) since he left (for you math-savvy folks, you'll have rightly guessed that he left in the year 2000. That would have made me a 4th Grader), and he hasn't come back since, save for Uncle Edward's wedding. Now, among all my mother's side relatives, it is only Uncle Edison that I never get to know. In fact, I'd never even said a word to him, as far as memory serves. Mom says he was a quiet boy when he was young, so I guess it makes sense.

The biggest difference (from what I can remember) is that pre-Singapore, he was very fit. You could even see his jawbone very well. When he came back... he put on a lot of weight. He confessed to me that he had no time to do sports anymore. One thing that amazes me is that his Filipino hasn't suffered in Singapore. Also, he doesn't have any problem with Singaporeans. Other than that, everything is as Kenn and other people describe Singapore to be--cosmopolitan, advanced, with lots of English and Chinese speakers, etc...

So anyhow, we talked for a while, then conversation went dry. Well, at least now I know SOMETHING about him. Other than the fact that he was ECE as well (like Andrew, I mean) and graduated top 8.

Special Thing #2 (I just can't get over how ORIGINAL I am! Where's that "rolling eyes" emoticon?): Auntie Elinor and Auntie Elaine (they're sisters, you see) are going to France! See, one just came from France, and the other from San Fran, but now they'll both be France bound. Both're studying. Now, since they've been around my entire life, I know quite a lot about them (not like the above example :p).

Auntie Elinor, Mom, Uncle Edison and Grandma

Auntie Elaine

Special Thing #3 (gotta love that ORIGINALITY): Auntie Sasa is going to be a mom in 5 months. (I need the "rock on" sign now)

Special Thing #4: Achie Kim has come back from... Canada? Was it? Anyway, she's studying too. Yes, everyone in this side of the family is studying.

Achie Kimie

Special Thing #5: There are three babies at the moment, which means... Mom is on Baby-Crazy mode. She spent ten minutes just plain giggling (and I mean just giggling) with Auntie Jeanie's (A-hnia Michael's wife) second son. It was like, the baby would giggle, which mom found so cute, prompting her to giggle. Her giggling made the baby giggle more. His giggling would make mom giggle more. Repeat. Siguro nangawit yung mga braso ni Auntie Jeanie sa kabibitbit sa kanya.

Of course, Jacob is no exception, all adorable while he ran around the garden, watching the inflatable Santa Claus whatever pop up when the electricity came on, then just flop down on the grass when the electricity switched off.

Then there's A-hnia Charles' son, CJ who just kept looking at everything all innocent and cute and stuff. Boy, will i have stories to tell them when they grow up! Hahahaha!

Baby-Crazy Mommy!

Here're some other pictures from last night:

Di-ko David, Di-yi Vicky, A-yi Betty, Mommy and Ama in the center

... No comment.

GROUP PIC! (click for larger version. I am NOT naming every single person there...)

Auntie Elinor and Di-yi

THE CONFERENCE!!! You can tell Mom is talking.

A-yi Betty and ... which one is this? Too many babies. Haha! I see Baby-Crazy runs in my mom's family... could that mean it runs in mine???

Here's a little Macro to make Martin happy (I remember him saying, "G-damnit, i'm gonna die without my macro." Haha!)

Lechon Buddies.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen. The camwhore is BACK!!! Expect that Multiply to fill up. Fast.

I love this camera.

From 華菲

Ho Leung Kam Oy: Kamie Ho

Last night and today are victories in more than one sense.

Dec. 20, 2006

Sometime about 8:00 pm, we went to Arlington for the final day of Mrs. Ho's wake.

[In case some of you don't know, Mrs. Ho, lovingly known to us as yi-po, is my paternal grandmother's sister. There were four of them siblings left (three sisters and 1 brother) about 4 years ago, and now it's just my grandma and her brother left]

There was a (protestant) service that we were told about quite belatedly, so we were there quite late.

The room had changed from the first day of the wake when I first got there. First it was the one upstairs, very cold. Now, it was the one on the ground floor, not as cold but quite beautiful (especially the scenery. It was something like a rock formation with a(n obviously fake) earthen jar of some sort at the top pouring water down into this reservoir that collected it. I wanted to look out, but I didn't.

When we entered, we sat down and started listening to the pastor. His name was Leonardo, and the way he gave the sermon was quite different from the Catholic way--something Andrew and I found refreshing. He made some very good analogies [How is it that God receives you through Christ? If a stranger came to your door ragged and unpresentable, would you ask him to come in and have a drink? No, right? But what if he says, "I'm the friend/seatmate/whatever of your son."?] [How important is salvation? If someone buys you a very expensive watch, how would you take care of it? Would you just leave it anywhere convenient? No, right? You'd take very good care of it, because you know its value. Now if that person died getting you that watch? (just go with it) How expensive in your eyes is that watch? As expensive as the person's life. That's what salvation is like. It's free, but it's expensive], and all the while, he spoke very fluent Hokkien.

After the sermon (I hear someone wasn't happy because he didn't give a eulogy), we had a little tête-à-tête with juice and food and started chatting. Pastor Mike (the other one, who was very tall) came over and introduced himself, then asked about where we studied and things. He read the name of their Church in Hokkien too (安息主懷; an hiok zu huai. Yes, I'm quite bothered about the hiok, too. Isn't it supposed to be "siak"? As in 休息?").

I later approached Pastor Leonardo and asked for some help reading words on the banners strung up across the room. Then we got talking about China and 革命 and other things. Afterwards, I met his wife and they all went home.

Before we went home, we stopped by some other establishment to "disperse" the bad mojo from the wake. We stopped by Ling Naam 嶺南 and walked around. Dad informed me that it was what they'd been going to for the past 3 days, such that Mom suspected that the guards already knew them. I told him Ling Naam got plus points in my book because their name was in Hokkien.

We looked in and found some floral structures with "Congratulations!" ribbons streaming down the sides. Turns out, they had just been blessed by the priest the Sunday before. Some woman in blue came out and said she was an Alonzo. Uhuh.

She went back inside to get this menu thingy for us. In the mean time, I mentioned to Dad how we were "transferring" the bad mojo to their shop, which had just been blessed with good mojo. He burst out laughing and tapped my head lightly going, "你嘅頭." "Ni ge hau."(That's Taishanese for "Your head." but with the implication of, "There's something wrong with ~").

She came back out, handed us the menu, and we headed off. Upon later inspection, I found the prices to be exorbitant. I also started critiquing their dishes. ("Where have you ever heard of a Chinese restaurant that sells Pancit in Bilao?")

That night, when I went to sleep, there were words from the sermon still ringing in my head. Our sister, Ho Leung Kam Oy, needs no prayers. She is with our Lord now. What more can you wish for her?

亦何未遂?

無.

Dec. 21, 2006

Morning, we're hurrying back to Arlington. It looked really different in the morning.

Mom was telling us we couldn't look at the casket because we'd get the bad mojo, and Alex was mocking this. Every single time she'd chastise Andrew about something (e.g. removing the red/white sash before the burial, looking at the casket, leaving his bottle of water lying down instead of standing up, slouching in his seat, and other shallow things), he'd go "Hooooy! Huwag ka ngang ganyan! Gusto mo bang malasin ka ng 1 billion years?" And we'd all laugh [even mom, but she won't admit it. hehe]

So we step in, and Pastor Leonardo is there, so I raid him with questions again. Then he gives the final eulogy, and we leave.

We walk out towards the street, then ride the car to Heritage Park, then walk some more, where we sit through the all-Hokkien eulogy that Pastor read out, then have some drinks before we leave for the restaurant in Robinson's (in Pioneer). We eat lunch at Mr. Choi's, then go home, where I slept for 3 hours.

忘了你我就活不了

Some days, your luck is just wicked.

Today was a completely uneventful day, just sitting at home and trying to busy myself with all things Chinese so that I wouldn't just die of boredom all of a sudden.

Then, guess what?

I got the autographed postcard that the folks at AaronLines.com were referring to in my mail, and a link to Aaron's special song, "I Thank You".

Yep.

I have the song.

Yep.

*nods vigorously*

Now, I was expecting something like Unloving You, which basically showcased the balladeer in Aaron. But this one... wow. This one was amazing. Strong vocals, ripping guitars, simple but meaningful lyrics, catchy tune... less than three (<3).

好感動哦!

其實我非容易被感動, 可是這歌詞和歌手的唱法真的特別動人.

I can't share the lyrics or the song with the world, as much as I'd like to.

Hehehe... I am so happy I pre-ordered that CD.


P.S. In case you were wondering about the title, it's a line from 燃燒" ("你　躲在我心裡　讓我有心跳　忘了你我就活不了"). I was trying to come up with a suitable translation, but it sounds cheesy/dumb in the other languages that I know. Chinese is waaaay poetic.

English: If I forget you, I won't be able to live.
Filipino: Kung makalimutan kita, hindi na ako mabubuhay.

Speaking of things, there's a sale in MegaMall this Christmas.

Yes, that's right. Any Filipino's eyes would be popping out right now, while at the same time getting dressed to head on over there and take advantage of the situation. Seriously!

When has MegaMall EVER had sales during Christmas? If anything, it should be a preposterous mark-up of astronomical proportions. Business is bad this year. Gosh.



Hokkien song! Betcha you've never heard on of those, have you??? HAVE YOU??? (my friends are not included, as most have heard at least one from me).

Don't rely too much on the lyrics though... that's basically a lot of Taiwanese guessing or and homophones for which characters fit which sounds. I wonder why on earth they used 代志 for "problem". I'm certain "tai" is not written like that. In fact, I think the character should be 大.

But that's all guessing. Back to my Aaron Lines song!

Yes, it's Christmas [break]

School's been out for three days (officially) now.

I got a load of presents, this cool red book on Chinese Filipinos called 華菲, and I think it's wicked.

Elsewhere, I'VE GOT THE LYRICS TO "TRYING TO GET BACK TO YOU"!!!!

It's from the xanga of this guy named "lone_knight" and he apparently typed the thing out by himself.

Anyway, here it is! You all can finally enjoy it!



Trying To Get Back To You by Doc Walker

There ought to be a faster way to fill up a Malibu, I swear
Thank God, today you can pay here at the pump
One little thing to make up time to get me back out there
Heading down the road like a bullet from a gun

I bet she's in that flannel robe, curled up by the fire
Reading Bridget Jones for the fifteenth time
Every minute I'm not there is another I'll need forgiveness for
It’s still three hundred miles to Caroline

Everything is in slow motion
No matter what I do
It's like running underwater
Trying to get back
Trying to get back to

I wonder how it'll go down when I pull up in the drive
Will she throw her arms around me or throw me out
I can beg and plead my case and say I need her in my life
But I can't do a thing from where I am right now

Everything is in slow motion
No matter what I do
It's like running underwater
Trying to get back
Trying to get back to you

Mile after mile, wheels turn so slow
Will I ever get back home
Everything is in slow motion
No matter what I do
It's like running underwater
Trying to get back
Trying to get back to you [x2]

No matter what I do
It's like running underwater
Trying to get back
Trying to get back to you

Wheels turn so slow

Trying to get back
Trying to get back to you

Ken, Lawrence, and I

I love my barkada to bits.

There is nothing in the world quite like spending time with them, all one bunch, despite all the crap that's been circling the clique lately. I feel so alive and at home with them (yes, even with my not-so-good relationship with Jackie. She's still my bestie).

But then there's that undeniably good feeling when you hang with a different group. It's not the same--and sometimes, when you're on not-so-good terms with other members of your kada, it can be even better.

Today was an example of that.

I went and got my barong from Xavier at about 9:00 this morning, then I walked to Ash Creek and met up with Ken (Go, not the beloved Kennzo we have grown to know on this blog). He was sitting at a table, cap and book on the table, bleary-eyed and stoic, staring at me.

I ordered a Peppermint Mocha. Ooh... pepperminty. So we sit down and get to talking, and eventually, he gets livelier and the droopy-eyed expression faded away. He and I were constantly throwing glances over my shoulder to see if he had arrived, and Ken basically briefed me on everything. When Lawrence DID arrive, we were basically just sitting down, and we somehow managed to insert some Caesarian crap in between talk about: Suck & Blow, last night's Soiree, slutty ICAns, ICAns with tongue rings, drunk ICAns, slutty, drunk ICAns with tongue rings that attempted to engage in Suck & Blow in last night's Soiree, peppermintiness and Lawrence wanting to get cold coffee (oo nga pala! He made a wisecrack that was something to the effect of "Cold coffee is the coffee for the young." (my Peppermint Mocha was hot.)). \

While Lawrence debated with himself, I continued to bash Dominic (yes, HIM again) (I swear, if he ever reads this, he'll so murder me. I mean we're fine, really, but I guess old stigma never really goes away.), and Ken continued to be the only productive member of our little temporal triumvirate. After a while, Lawrence piped up that we ought to go to the ITC in school to dig up some crap on our topic. We gave it a thought and decided it was worth a shot, so we schlepped right up and out of our seats (except me. I was too busy reveling in all the Fukien being yelled in the tiny cafe, thanks to that Chinese wedding down the road and all the Fukien oldies flocking to Starbucks to cool down in the searing Saturday heat) and headed down the road to Xavier. When we got in, we beelined the ITC, but upon getting there, we were only slightly productive, as after a while, the beautiful quiet somnolence of the place (sans any people) was just hypnotic. There was this heavy sweetness in the air that made me unbelievably happy. And I somehow "felt" America.

Yes, that's right. No, you didn't read/I didn't write wrong. That's America, not Canada. Haha. And while I wait for you to shake your head in disbelief, I'll insert some soliloquy about how I've been missing America a lot lately (like just this morning, in my classroom). But that sentence alone was enough for it to sink in, so on with the story!

The rest of the morning (eleven thirty something til about twelve something) saw us basically loafing on the two sets of three-couches stuck up against each other. While I catatonically dictated some squiggly figures in red ink on some pad paper, Kenzo leafed through the Spiderman pin-up whatever he found, and Lawrence just sat down.

Also, somewhere around this time, Lawrence saw a book on cars and went bananas over it. So cute! Like a second Kenn. Furthermore, we were just walking around in the library and picking out books, and I had already picked one out when, just when I closed it, Lawrence pointed out "Ooh... may dust pa!" or something like that, and we experimented with different books and seeing how much dust flew out. It was so fun.

So anyway, we began just lazing around, and I soon found even myself all stretched out on one of the couches and inhaling the atmosphere. It felt so magical--those few minutes we spent in seemingly eternal quiet and the long minutes of comfortable silence.

That was special.

A Message To Fate, Destiny and whatever else is out there

Seriously, FUCK YOU!!! FUCK YOU TO HELL!!!!!!!

Not only do you have to go and mess with my life, you have to go and mess with my friends' and family's lives too. God, just LEAVE them the fuck alone. Leave US the fuck alone!

I want my life back, and you've been doling out the crap like hotcakes. Stop. Give me back my damn life! It was effing fine til' you stepped in. You can just schlep back out, got it?

Aaron Lines and Doc Walker

Aaron Lines has a new album. Why am I not freaking out right now (well, not that you would know whether I am or not, but I would generally lose any semblance of continuity in my sentences, and you would detect the abuse of exclamation points and caps lock)? I've already freaked out. About two hours ago until a few seconds ago.

He's got a new album coming out on the first of May this coming year. First 200 fans to pre-order get their names added to the fans list in the album... you know what? I'll just let you read for yourself:

http://events.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.detail&eventID=140799.33648&hashcode=320519D0-8B25-45CC-B508-8DD353DB2718

Then Doc Walker's new video is coming out. It's called "Trying To Get Back To You", and while the lyrics are quite corny, the music video was awe-inspiring. Maybe I'll go steal it from the CMT website (have I mentioned I've downloaded software for that?) and upload it to YouTube and show you all.

Oh, by the way, have I mentioned that I can now also grab videos from YouTube? It's thanks to this wonderful software suggested by Mr. Sy called "YouTube Grabber". So far, I've stolen a whole slew of very nice videos and have added them to my collection. There is so much joy in this world.

Now I'm just going to procrastinate all my damn homework.

You know you're subconsciously trying to gain weight when

Your breakfast consists of Yangchow Fried Rice (homestyle), Di Marks Pizza and Clover Ham & Cheese. And you didn't even think when you put them together.

God, I can see the monosodium glutamate on my pizza.

Oh, have I mentioned? I'm now using a pair of brick red chopsticks when I eat. I haven't had a decent spoon-and-fork meal at home in two weeks or more. Chopsticks make eating rice a real bitch, too. I'd provide a picture, but my baby's jammed. To the repair shop, lovies!

Some quotes of the day:

"Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end."

"I wasted time, and now doth time waste me."
"Be great in act, as you have been in thought."
- Shakespeare

"Think about how a person half way across the world knows the instant their loved one
is hit by a car. It's because they're struck with a sudden burst of love, a psychic shock, the kind of shock that can only come from total loss of a loved one. You need to let go. You need to die." - Cole Turner

"Think of me when you dance." - Drake

We'll Fight, Not Out of Spite; But Someone Must Stand Up For What's Right

6 Days ago... Was the last time I blogged. A lot's happened since. Let me try to recount:

First Friday Unplugged (Of the Century): This was undoubtedly one of the best FFU’s we’ve ever had. And I’ve been to all of them, mind you. There was a lot of raw talent in this one, some even rather honed, but everyone (well, almost) did really well.

We had a total of nine acts.

Let me try to remember them. There was C.O. (that’s his nickname) with “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton. Carlo Chong sang “Here Without You” by 3 Doors Down (I personally really dislike this song). Some H1 band with Enzo (forgot his last name, but I used to play badminton with him when I was younger) as their lead singer sang some song that sounded quite positive, but with very little skill. Then BARDO (!!!!) came and sang “Can’t Cry Hard Enough” by Bellefire, although Bardo was singing an earlier version, and scampered off before I could congratulate him. Next was Mr. Bumatayo with “Do I Make You Proud” by Taylor Hicks (yeah, the American Idol guy) (Hello, Alexis.). It was quite touching, as it was about his dad, God rest. Then came Mr. Pinlac singing some Bamboo song (I think its name was “Flowers”), Mrs. Ocampo with a medley of Barbra Streisand, The Carpenters and The Beatles, Mr. Asis with “100 Years” by Five for Fighting (with these disturbing but mondo-cool falsetto sounds that you just didn’t expect from him), and, the final act, Wesley, with I’ll Be by Edwin McCain. I only didn’t like Carlo’s and the H1 Band’s, and Mr. Bumatayo’s song could’ve been done better.

Moving on . . .

Editing Xtreme Makeover with Mr. Asis: on Saturday, I went to help Mr. Asis with the Xtreme Makeover crap. When I got there, Mr. Asis hadn’t arrived yet, so after bugging/making-epal (that sounds so bad)/cam-ho’ing with TJ Quidilla (who I will henceforth refer to as TJQ) and Lawrence, I ran around the school grounds aimlessly. Sometime later, Mr. Asis comes out of the workroom with McDonalds and his laptop. We retrieve the research documents (forwarded by Stanly via email) and find that it amounts to a not-so-grand total of five. Yes, five. Including mine. Well actually, Kyle’s was a proposal for the fair. So four.

Damn. I spent the next hour and a half just typing away at his computer and brainstorming about ideas. We decide that he will go to the mall and take pictures of products and improve everything, and I go home.

XSH3ICAH2 Interaction: At about 3:30, I leave for the Clubhouse at Greenhills West to attend the Interaction. But it’s a bit too early, because it’s supposed to start at four thirty, and I got there at about 3:40. Walter and I go to Starbucks. As he scavenges for his wallet, I meet up with Martin and Walter and I talk.

We go back some time later and arrive back at the place, signing up and getting our I.D.’s. Now, I seemed to be the only person who knew how to tie them together (Mom taught me way back when I was 6 years old, and I never used it since then. Muscle Memory is grand, isn’t it?) so I did so for Kenn, Walt, etc..., eventually wasting time until we were admitted in.

The actual thing was just plain boring (but everyone who asked me how it went got the answer “It was okay.”). It was the bands that were absolutely … hmm, how do I describe this? Well, let’s just say I didn’t really mind the fact that it was boring—I was busy picking my jaw up from the floor, which was hurting from dropping so often.

Ralph sang in Red Shift. That was just… amazing. The song, Dance Inside by All American Rejects, was BEAUTIFUL. Amazing song. Amazing performance. And no one expected Ralph to have such skill. Wow.

Aldo actually sang well this time. The other times… well, usually, hehe, when he sings, Banshees sounds like professionals. But this time… wow. He got all the notes right, sang just loud enough, raised his voice just high enough. Very nice.

Then we had Disco (sorry, decapitalize that in your minds), where our DJ just SUCKED. He kept killing the song at all the good parts, then we’d just stand and wait for it to come back. That was sucky.
Then at some point, everyone started yelling “Sexy Back! Sexy Back!” It IS a nice song, after all.

Went to Ash Creek with Walter afterwards, drank me some water. See his friend’s mom wanted to “請” cnia me to some food. I told her I was full. She persisted. I told her I had diabetes. We chatted some more.

So we chatter away as Walter takes a panning video of himself, and I focus on his mom and his mom’s friend’s conversation, which consisted of Fukien, some Mandarin read out from paper, and lots of Cantonese-y code switching. It was pure bliss.

And when they spoke Hokkien, it wasn’t like my parents, which had English and Filipino squirming their way into the language. It was STRAIGHT Hokkien. I had to pick my jaw up from the floor again.

Dad picked me up and we went home.

Monday and Tuesday: Are a blur. But in Soc Sci, we’ve been studying The French Revolution. Can I just say? I think French is SEXYHOT!!! Hear a native French person say “Marie Antoinette”. Gods…

Oh, and my camera broke. So henceforth, no pictures. Yep. On the ONE MOST IMPORTANT DAY, I won’t get any pictures.

Today is Wednesday: I first went to the mass at six thirty (or was it six forty five?) in the morning, which Fr. Guy presided over. In the Homily, he mentioned how last quarter, he taught a class that he had to leave at the end of the quarter *swells with pride*. He asked how they had been lately, and one of them said that they were struggling. Fr. Guy said he was saddened, and very sorry to hear that. He was quite surprised when the student replied, “You should be. You left us.”

I stopped short at that point. Who, among our classmates, would dare to say that to Fr. Guy?

"Stanly" was the first thing that popped into my head, but I had to make sure. Also, it is at this point that I would like to tell my class: YOU SUCK. Seriously, the one time that Fr. Guy mentions our class, you guys are absent. There were about 4 of us in the entire mass!

God.

Anyway. I head on over to the canteen and check out my ACP sched, and I am in the classes that I signed up for—Flying Solo and Law & Order.

Thing is, right under the name “Flying Solo” on the piece of paper posted at the canteen, there’s this clause that says, “Bring a minus one or accompaniment (guitar or keyboards) for your piece.” Or something to that effect.

Crap. Not only do I not have one, but I don’t have the skill to play one anyway.

And so we head on over to the MPC for the Career in Business talk with Mr. Rudolfo Ang, who Mr. Asis said was rather cranky. He was everything but, actually. Very nice, easy-going, professional (and you KNOW how much I value this trait), knowledgeable and accommodating. It was all in all, a great talk. Then we waste time for an extra thirty something minutes while Gian attempts to draw me. We then have recess and I eagerly await my doom.

Then out of nowhere, Ms. Magallona appears near the Media Ed., where Flying Solo was supposed to be held. I asked what she was doing, and she said she was the assigned moderator and would be with us throughout.

I was almost expecting this evil, hard-edged, old hack for our guest speaker, but I guess I should do my digging next time. This guy was 29 years old, and he was already a seasoned performer. Yes, his old band Smokey Mountain was a part of his childhood. As in, pre-teen. As in, 12 years old.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you, Jeffrey Hidalgo.


http://www.yehey.com/lifestyle/culture.aspx?artid=1306
http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/mar1805/showbiz_bb.htm
http://www.titikpilipino.com/album/reviews.php?albumid=499
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2005/08/26/life/jeffrey.and.raki.in.once.on.this.island.tomorrow!.html
http://www.titikpilipino.com/news/?aid=430

He’s even got this (now defunct) website at www.jeffreyhidalgo.com

This guy, my friends, is Mr. Asis’ friend. Yes, Mr. Asis has connections.

And my God, can he sing. But he doesn’t look like how he does in the pictures anymore. The hair is grown longer.

So anyway, most of us are asked to sing a song each. C.O. sang The Way You Look Tonight, which had Mr. Hidalgo showering him with praises. Wesley sang I Will Be Here and Mr. Hidalgo was willing to work with him on it to help him. The rest were just kind of… comments and criticism. But that was his job after all. Mav also sang this song that I can’t remember right now (the O2 Jam playing in the background is clouding my thoughts), but it was really good.

Yeah, and that wasn’t the most disappointing part. I usually don’t run out of breath, especially on She Called Me Kansas. I ran out of breath. God. Crap. His review of my (crappy) singing did raise my respect for him by several tens of degrees though—he was able to identify a country song immediately. And his description was quite apt, too—“Na-iimagine ko siya.”

And I had to do acapella, which was just the death of me.

So I have lunch, read that story that Raphie was given for his Fantasy class, which was mostly about Santa and Old Winter Death. Yeah, it was weird and noir-ish but cool and saddening.

Martin tells me of his experience taking pictures of two female models. On the spot. With SLR’s. In photography class. Oh, envy. Envy.

So anyway.

He and I go straight to Law & Order, which is a two parter of sorts given by Atty. Henry Co, a Xaverian alumnus, and Atty. Cherrie Cruz, who is apparently the attorney of Mr. Gringo Honasan… That’s two V.V.V.I.P.’s today.

To say that the talks they gave on Law were interesting would be like saying watching Aaron Lines live in concert is breakfast fodder.

MY GOD I’M IN LOVE WITH LAW.

The radio announced it today. No school tomorrow! Which means no notecards and debate! Which means a five day weekend! ORGASM!!!!!!

Here're the shots of Bro. Haw (All new and improved, sleek, shiny and glossy), all courtesy of Alfonso Solano.

She Called Me Kansas by Aaron Lines

We sat and watched the sun come up
With a blanket wrapped around us
We spent all night out on that beach
Couldn't hold her close enough to me
That was love I won't forget
And I still remember what she said

She called me Kansas
She said that I reminded her of home
She called me Kansas
And I know I've never been there
But it's a place I’d love to go

The April air, the crescent moon
Two wild hearts with nothing to lose
That weekend was all we had
But what I'd give for two more days like that
She looked at me and said goodbye
And kissed my lips one last time

She called me Kansas
She said that I reminded her of home
She called me Kansas
And I know I've never been there
But it's a place I’d love to go

Kansas, I'll always remember
Kansas, I hear your name and I am with her

ZOMGZ!!! What the F? Who SAYS things like that?

Gahds! You should've been with me the whole day!

Have you any idea the delights I have witnessed? Physically and auditorily.

Physically: (it's not really a delight) BROTHER HAW LOST WEIGHT!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!

Seriously, I was just yapping away with Martin when suddenly, I hear him say something like "Kailan kayo mag-si-sign up?" And then... he entered the garden from the side entrance.

And then... I saw him.

HOLY HELL. Once I quibble with Alfonso for the picture, I'll post it here. But seriously. Brother Haw apparently lost 25 pounds. It was due to this diet that his supervisor (is that what you call him?) suggested because he was at risk for diabetes. And lo and behold, he's gone waaaaaay down.

Seriously, I couldn't stop repeating it to him [partly to myself. Hehe] because I was so deeply mired in disbelief. WOW.

Anyway, as we continued to talk, he suddenly stopped short, stared at me, then asked, "Bakit mo ako kinakausap sa Ingles?"

"Nakasanayan na po?" *wide YM-emoticon-like grin* *plus braces*


Before I move to the auditory aspect, mag-intermission muna tayo. MULTIPLY WORKS!!! FEAR ME!!! QUAVER IN YOUR RICKETY COMPUTER CHAIRS AS YOU WITNESS THE VERY [imminent] RETURN OF... *creepy music* THE CAM-HO'!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yo'.


Elsewhere, I attended the practice for tomorrow's First Friday. Let me just say...

WOW. And double WOW.

We have TALENT this time!!! (that's a mean joke, I know, but you can't disagree. Some of the previous ones like Sherwin weren't exactly made to sing). I'll update you tomorrow on who sang what, but let me just say:

Mr. Asis can sing damn well. Falsetto O.o

Wesley is okay. He's got a strong voice. [Bardo: "Di' mo na kailangan ng mic!"]

Bardo sang great. Like... wow. It was wonderful. Plus the song he sang was beautiful. One of my favs.

In other news: I met Alex's college friends today. Word. And there was mention of Alex and his...

NOLI. IS [well, will be. Oh, shut up and let me enjoy.]. OVER!!!!!!!!!!! 2 Chapters! [actually, one chapter, and an epilogue.]

I'm having a dinner of rice with beef and sinigang. And I love it. Normally, I would wince in disgust, but tonight, it's especially delicious. Amazing how life looking up can change your view.

I'm a debater. Oh Dear God.

Martin's got my sheet of paper with the Alternative Class Project (ACP). But I wanna join Law & Order, and Flying Solo. I wanna siiiing. But I don't know what to sing.

Too bad I can't sing in Chinese. Eason would be so perfect for it. I like how his voice sounds.

古巨基 - 愛得太遲

我過去　那死黨　早晚共對　各也紮職以後沒法暢聚
而終於　相約到　但無言共對　疏淡如水
日夜做　見爸爸　剛好想呻　卻霎眼看出他多了皺紋
而他的蒼老感　是從來未覺　太內疚擔心

最心痛是　愛得太遲　有些心意　不可等某個日子
盲目地發奮　忙忙忙其實自私
夢中也習慣　有壓力要我得志

最可怕是　愛需要及時　只差一秒　心聲都已變歷史
忙極亦放肆　見我愛見的相知
要抱要吻要怎麼也好　偏要推說等下一次

我也覺　我體質　彷似下降　看了症得到是別要太忙
而影碟　都掃光　但從來未看　因有事趕
日夜做　儲的錢　都應該夠　到聖誕正好講跟我白頭
誰知她開了口　未能挨下去　已恨我很久

錯失太易　愛得太遲　我怎想到　她忍不到那日子
盲目地發奮　忙忙忙從來未知
幸福會掠過　再也沒法說鍾意

愛一個字　也需要及時　只差一秒　心聲都已變歷史
為何未放肆　見我愛見的相知
要抱要吻要怎麼也好　不要相信一切有下次

相擁我所愛又花幾多秒
這幾秒　能夠做到又有多少
未算少　足夠遺憾忘掉

多少抱憾　多少過路人　太懂估計　卻不懂愛錫自身
人人在發奮　想起他朝都興奮
但今晚未過　你要過也很吸引

縱不信運　你不過是人　理想很遠　愛於咫尺卻在等
來日別操心　趁你有能力開心
世界有太多東西發生　不要等到天上俯瞰

What did I ever do to you?

My God, Henry.

Life Is Screwing With Me

Seriously. I've still got so much to do, too. Here's this week's updates.

There's now this new thing called "Bituin... U & Me" in school. This is this year's edition of last year's dedication star thingies in which for a pithy P50, you get a star-shaped lantern and a piece of paper which you can write a dedication on and have hanged up wherever you like. Student volunteers man this booth during the breaks.

Ms. Magallona had asked me to ask Raphie to write an article about the good things Fr. Johnny had done (*cough**wheez**gag*PROPAGANDA*snort**die*) for him, as a student, but he would be representing the student body. Thing is, I forgot to ask Raphie so when, the following day, Ms. Magallona asked for it, I freaked and did it during dismissal in about five minutes. Somewhere later, Raphie came along and read my work, and I added his name beside mine as an afterthought. He stopped me, though, so I only got as far as "Rap". Then when I submitted it to Ms. Magallona, she finished his name for me. Hehehehe. Raphie feels bad about it though.

Also, while I was plotting to completely erase my name and put only Raphie's, he mentioned that the very fact that I used the word "Personally" indicated that it was so very, patented me. He's right. I'm the only person I know that uses that word.

Apparently, Hongers call "erasers" "rubbers". Well, they have a very different meaning here and many other countries [i.e. American-influenced ones], I assure you. In Math, Mr. Sy explained this, and after the Povedan Interaction, handed us some extra small rubbers for use in Math class. The same day that he gave us these rubbers, he wrote this on the board.

Kyle spilt moppit ink all over my table during Chinese class (when I was out of the room). I even ended up getting moppit ink all over some of my hands when I touched the sides and legs of the table, which were still dripping with the black ink. Good thing they come off with water.

This one was taken from a book called The 7 Habits of Effective Teens: Personal Workbook by Sean Covey (Stephen's brother?). It's got all these wicked quotes and stuff. Whee! I also have to work on this for club.

We had to do an experiment in Science with ammonium hydroxide. Yeah, the stuff that reeks. It was so strong that it broke through Ralph's stuffy nose and caused him to recoil for several seconds, clutching his nose. Upon answering the question "Describe the smell of ammonium hydroxide." on our experiment analysis sheets, he wrote "piercing." The airhead above would have to be Gerard, who probably sniffed (instead of the highly recommended "waft"), and is now feeling its effects.

Stroke of inspiration during Filipino.

The picture says it all. This is for MRX Most Requested in Xavier.
During PTC.


The Soupiness of Bert (Ang Kasabawan ni Bert)

A very interesting bullet in one of the higher floors of the EED, overlooking the football field no less.

Leigh was asking for directions to YCLC while I was taking this.

Ah, and the man of the hour. Mr. Hernando, our new C.L.E. teacher. I don't know what the school or Fr. Guy saw in him. Because seriously, this guy is crap at teaching. Paris Hilton could do a better job. He has absolutely no respect for the students' opinions [or for the students, for that matter] ("Kabarumbaduhan"), just cannot, cannot, cannot admit that he is wrong ("Pride"), criticizes other peoples' English, voice and accent, when he doesn't have what one would call the correct enunciation either ("sin" becomes "seen") ("Hypocrisy"). And wtf, he GRADES prayers! What kind of C.L.E. teacher GRADES prayers? And that's not even the worst part! The worst part is that he subtracted points because he felt someone's prayer was too long! I mean, God, how dare you? Not only are you stripping the very meaning of prayer, but you're telling the person that it's wrong to pray for the things you want to pray for because it'll take too long! It's no wonder this idiot didn't become a priest.

I have been very patient with this guy. No more.

Worse, when I went to see Fr. Guy about him, Fr. Guy was all, "Give him a chance." I told him I'd already given him more than a week. Fr. Guy asked me to give him two weeks. I told him I'd already given him two weeks. Fr. Guy tells me he'll see.

周傳雄 - 寂寞沙洲冷

自你走後心憔悴
白色油桐風中紛飛
落花似人有情 這個季節

河畔的風放肆拼命的吹
無端撥弄離人的眼淚
那樣濃烈的愛再也無法給
傷感一夜一夜

當記憶的線纏繞過往支離破碎
是慌亂佔據了心扉
有花兒伴著蝴蝶 孤雁可以雙飛
夜深人靜獨徘徊

當幸福戀人寄來紅色分享喜悅
閉上雙眼難過頭也不敢回
仍然撿盡寒枝不肯安歇微帶著後悔
寂寞沙洲我該思念誰

陳奕迅 & 梁漢文 - 拔河

陳: 你說她又失蹤 一整夜電話撥不通
不敢睡怕噩夢 醒著又怕想到心痛
血滴在心中 多苦我能懂
絕不讓一步 把自己逼瘋
你很想知道 誰盜走 她的夢

梁: 我們都會失控 有人搶 越是不放鬆
如果忘了初衷 最後爭到手也沒用
感覺自己像 面對個黑洞
多努力激動 回應都是空
除非自己想通 掙脫這場捉弄

#

陳: 你為誰拔河
梁: 女人之間計較特別苛
陳: 愛恨在拉扯
梁: 男人的錯很快不記得
陳: 感情怎麼分割
合: 怎麼曲折 都等她選擇
你爭的究竟是愛 還是種資格
梁: 你別再拔河
陳: 真心不是誰比誰坎坷
梁: 能捨才能得
陳: 淚水不能解幸福的渴
梁: 愛其實說穿了
合: 不該你的 不怪誰招惹
只拖著 她的軀殼愛著 那又如何

陳: 我們都會失控 有人搶 越是不放鬆
如果忘了初衷 最後爭到手也沒用
梁: 感覺自己像 面對個黑洞
多努力激動 回應都是空
除非自己想通 掙脫這場捉弄
#
陳: 你別再拔河
梁: 真心不是誰比誰坎坷
陳: 能捨才能得
梁: 淚水不能解幸福的渴
陳: 愛其實說穿了
合: 不該你的 不怪誰招惹
只拖著 她的軀殼愛著 那又如何

Are we done here? Because I have to go get fired.

I'm supposed to be doing a portfolio entry in English on an obituary for Caesar.

I had no idea how to do one, of course, so I asked mom to bring me home a few copies so that I had framework for it.

I opened the first page, and saw the name of an attorney from a few days ago. All over the page, there were just these names of people who died and relatives who I didn't know and it was just overwhelming for me. It's so... saddening to realize that hundreds to millions of people will be combing through an obituary page everyday and when the day finally comes that it's your turn to have your name show up there, they're going to look through it and feel nothing.

No, actually, it isn't sad. Not even pathetic. I just really don't know how I feel about it.

The past week and four days have been stressful.

There was the Poveda Interaction, which was exhausting. I had this envelope with a form with blanks for names and contact numbers/addresses that I didn't get to fill up. Plus, there was this point where I accidentally said something rather embarrassing and slightly mean to a girl I was with (Arrie, her name was.) and she ended raising all this hoo-hah about how I was "not forgiven". It would've been a pity, too, since she was so cool, but she eventually "forgave" me and things were only slightly tense after that. Turns out, Lawrence [his nametag read Laurence] and a girl named Alexa were our facilitators. It was great, because we got an airconditioned room (but unfortunately only 3 girls) and they didn't force us into doing anything we didn't want to.

Somewhere later, Frances, another girl, started talking about shows. It turns out, I watch more cartoons than I realize. And she, JV and I were the only ones on Team Peyton (yes, from One Tree Hill) (yes, Payton Yao was in our midst) (but no, that was not a pun on his name). Then at Lunch, everyone scampered off elsewhere leaving only Walter, Charlie, JV, Arvin and a few other people with us. Lawrence, dressed in full Freddie Flinstone gala, did this adorable/hilarious chair-banging (and I do not mean"banging") thing. Too bad it was just a monoblock [that word fascinates me]. Which reminds me, there was a part in the interaction with the girls upstairs in the "1-D Math room" where Payton suddenly looked at Lawrence's costume and noted, "Since when does Freddie Flinstone wear pants?" Lawrence looks down at his jeans, then quips, "E, ano, gusto mo wala?" Yes, I will leave you to Lysol that image from your mind.

So anyway, when everyone eventually came back, we had a sort of Scavenger Hunt (which the saucier people syncopated into "Scav Hunt". Jeez... it reminds me of the time when a bunch of coño girls came over to our school and asked Henry and me where the "Caf" was. Turns out, "caf" is kolehiyala-ese for "cafeteria". I literally had to pause and register before I understood what they were talking about.) where we were supposed to do some rather lurid things (the ten of us who were members (why am I thinking of such green things right now?) of the male population had to dance like women in front of two other groups (the girls had it easy), and Lawrence had to eat a cracker with sardines (?) on it (probably an innocent but rather gross reference to a Soggy Biscuit). Although, I'm not sure if that's as lurid as the man-gyrating thing). Eventually, Alexa and Lawrence, the two game-est people in our group, each ate half a bag of peanuts (?) and sang the chorus of that High School Musical song (thank God there were peanuts (?) to mangle their voices. I might have gone huramentado on someone if I had to sit through THAT song again). We won the Scavenger Hunt. By a mile. And then I got to rub it into Lee Panopio's face. Nyarharhar!

But the victory was bitter sweet, because there was this damn nice song which I heard but couldn't decipher the lyrics of (it came from the green iPod which they were drawing songs from) and eventually, it ended without me knowing what it was. All I know/can remember is that it was a guy singing, fast-ish beat, and a line that goes "She said, 'Aaaaah' " wherein "aaaah" goes into falsetto, although I'm beginning to think that that was actually a prolonged "I". I saw Frances dancing to it and singing along, but for some reason, I didn't ask.

Then we had a talk. A Povedan, a Xaverian, and a Povedan-Xaverian couple. It was alright, but not exactly good. I was able to pay attention to everything, but it didn't get my blood racing, and I had to roll my eyes at some of the things they were saying.

Then, of course, there was the bandfest. I hated that part most. Why? Let's just say the bands that performed were not the greatest ones I had ever heard. Peterson with that costume of the green, one-eyed monster from Monsters, Inc. Blech. That is a thought best left for days when a cold shower is necessary, but no water is handy.

Then there was Kenn's Chinese Speaking Contest, which was a load of fun, considering all the bonding I got to do, and the places I got to visit, and the people I got to see and meet, but equally exhausting and tiring all the same.

I got to Xavier at about seven something. I went to check the workroom for any sign of life (the school is actually deserted on Sundays) but found only a creepy light on. Kenn texts that he's there, so I went back down to Gate 1 and found him in a really cool costume. All white (with interesting shoes) and then an auxilliary clothpiece that I can't seem to name. I listened to his Jay Chou album (依然范特西), especially this really interesting song called 聽媽媽的話 which features Jay doing all sorts of falsettoes. The laoshi's come and we all hop aboard the bus.

H3's Candidate!

Okay, now something I find really... weird... is that laoshi suddenly mentions how I'm a good friend for showing up. I just don't know what to make of that *thinks: "What, and miss an opportunity to camwhore [Kenn]? YEAH, RIGHT!!!"*. No, but seriously. I mean, of course the praise is nice, but it just felt disorienting. That was not the primary motivation when I decided to come. What was it, then?

Anyway, as He Laoshi [Hazel Wong, people] appears. Kenn gentlemanly-ly (wtf???) opens the door, steps down, and allows her to get in. Camwhoring ensues. Kenn rants shamelessly about how Mr. Hernando is rather... well, let's just say he's not Fr. Guy standard. I mean, really, I thought Fr. Guy was bad--well he's a seraph compared to this guy. I honestly couldn't agree more. I got most of Kenn's little Random Rant on video, too. He laoshi was laughing at the end.

So we wait a bit, and 田老師, 余老師, 莊老師, and 莊老師's little girl (who He laoshi was been known to give inappropriately large amounts of PDA to). Then 余老師's other son, 王忠德 (I think) is also joining. I end up sitting in front, Tian laoshi, Yu laoshi, Zhuang laoshi, her daughter and He laoshi in the row behind me, the four teachers who came first in the row behind that, and Kenn and Jean Paul at the very back.

We arrive at St. Peter the Apostle (it's a school) (篤學培德) and schlep on over to "Hope Hall", where the whole competition is supposed to take place.

The road on the way.

The way to Hope Hall.

Ye laoshi and Kenn prepping.

Jean Paul's props.

The Chinese Teachers. [Pre-Contest]

Kenn and Jean Paul listening to sick parts of House, M.D.

那幾位尊敬評審.

Kennzo is at ease. And in all white.

This guy's costume was a bit... lacking in imagination. His costume was a green shirt. That was it.

Of course... this girl was a bit on the overdoing side.

11, yo. (Hello, Henry.)

Our very own Kenn was just right. Didn't mind Lee Hom-ing with his number, either! He laughs in the face of danger and competition. Or modelwhores.

This guy. THIS guy was the guy who blew the crowd away. He did damn good.
That's Jean Paul!

Alright, so anyway. There were to groups. The first group was the group that recited 猴子救月 a.k.a. 猴子撈月. Honestly, just hearing the story once or twice was okay. But at the third repetition, it became 無聊. The fourth til the nineteenth, well... you can just imagine. Still, during Jean Paul's turn, I got really psyched up.

The next group recited something called "五個手指" which was basically my oral test, so I knew it by heart. There was this awfully saucy girl that went up on stage. Hated her sauciness. Annoying!

So a bunch of people (that weren't from Xavier. Boo.) won, and we all went home. But Kenn went with his family (Mom and Dad) and Jean Paul with his Dad and Mom.

Since Ye Laoshi was holding her camera when she went upstage to receive her certificate, I took her picture for her.

Kennzo, in his all-consuming post-speech After Glow.

Time to go home. :(

When we did, I stayed for a while, saw Fr. Guy, and when he asked me how Mr. Hernando was, I told him to ask Mr. Hernando what I told him. He got scared and said "Never mind."

The thing was that Mr. Hernando had asked me how his class was last time. I told him straight. "It's not up to Fr. Guy's standards."

Of course, he expected some sort of explanation, so I gave him one.

Really, I've got my mind wide open for this Hernando guy, but I want Fr. Guibelondo back.

Guess who's using traditional characters now?

陳奕迅 - 全世界失眠

想起我不完美 你會不會
逃離我生命的範圍
想著你的滋味 我會不會
把這個枕頭 變得甜美

想起白天的約會 忘了晚上的咖啡
只怕感情如潮水 遠離我夢中的堡壘

一個人失眠 全世界失眠
無辜的街燈 守候明天
幸福的失眠 只是因為害怕閉上眼
如何想你想到六點 如何愛你愛到終點

一個人失眠 全世界失眠
無辜的街燈 守候明天
幸福的失眠 只是因為害怕閉上眼
如何想你想到六點
如何愛你愛到終點
如何愛你愛到終點

想起我的時候 你會不會
好像我一樣 不能睡
想像你的曖昧 我會不會
數不到綿羊 一雙一對