notes to the draft

Bear with me, an experiment-- perhaps just to help me propel and fly-- and finally have in my hands, three papers due very very soon. . . From the introduction to PHilippine Criticism: J. Neil Garcia: ". . . literature's boundaries are immensely permeable to whatever surrounds it. Abad's training in UP: American New Criticism which focused on the formal perfection of the poem as a "verbal icon." This new critical mode with its stress on organic unity, emotional restraint, and metaphor, irony,a nd ambiguity, shaped the poetic sensibility from the 50's and 60's with the earlier Romantics. . ." but after exemplars of particular poetry from Angeles and Maramag, he goes on to say that from poet to poet, "each one who persevered int he craft constantly achieves through metamorphosis of his idiom and subject a full individual voice." Each one's poetic career shows accretion and maturation: Nick Joaquin, Bienvenido Santos, Edith Tiempo, Cirilo Bautista - show that the poet constantly makes new discoveries in his own field of vision (his own distinctive sbuject matter) and transforms his mode of expression conformably to them. . . thus, whatever be the poetic influences in his work or the regnant critical theory of his time, the work of imagination is achieved chiefly by the poet's own solitary labor, that is, the long creative struggle to forge from one's medium (say, English) a language to discover and express one's subject. Isagani Cruz's "The Other Other: Towards a Post Colonial Peotics" Aha! So for Philippine literature, its undertheorization is due to this: "[a] stem[ming] from the internalization of a hegemonic universalization of culturally imperialistic, pre- or anti-theoretical quasi-formalistic, mechanically reflectionist, white patriarchy! "I submit that the inequitable distributuion of critical wealth can be traced to, among other things, colonialism, orientalism, and hegemony."

Words of the ONE-- I have to remind myself

WHAT BETTER INSPIRATION THAN THIS? So far, this has been the best new year celebration ever. The simplest, but the best. And what better way to kick off than to remember these words from the ONE. So this new year,make new plans for yourself and for the world. You say after midnight, the new year will begin, so ho will you celebrate the new year? As the old year will bid goodbye, similarly, have you also made the determined thought to bid goodbye to old thoughts & sanskars along w/ the old year? You have to bid goodbye to everything old in the old year and create new thoughts of zeal and enthusiasm & then bring them into practical form, won't you? Therefore, think, what newness will you bring in yourself? Churn & contemplate on it. W/c waves of zeal and enthusiasm will you spread? What type of thoughts will you create to to spread a powerful atmosphere? In particular, the treasure of time should never, never be wasted even for a second. Make good use of time. Starting at amrit vela, make a determined thought that I will become an embodiment of elevated consciousness that success is my birthright and a garland around my neck. MY SPIRITUAL WELL-BEING COMES FIRST ON THE LIST!

They say . . .

They say that what you do on the first day of the year is something that is fated to be your disposition or your destiny for the rest of the year. So let's see if this saying is indeed true. Shall be put this to the test?! So I'm blogging now. Does THAT mean that because I did such that this year will fare out to be better in terms of realizing writing everyday a reality? We shall see! New Year's resolutions 1. drink more water 2. more positive thoughts 3. do more than just say 4. eat healthier 5. not use the car. Walk. 6. balanced life! 7. balanced state of mind! More resolutions. The internet is witness. . . so this better be good.

writing machine

It's 9 a.m. tsk tsk very very far from the norm of the hours that I'm up and moving; thanks for vacations such as these-- soul saving. While I'm writing, we have the Rent songs playing over and over-- particularly, Seasons of Love. I love love the lyrics of the song. Now to the inevitable, despite all the bleakness the year 2007 has successfully dispersed down to the final days, there is the challenge to keep swimming and keep our heads up. No, humanity isn't drowning. And there are ways. There are ways that we can still make little pockets of heaven. I guess we owe it to ourselves-- that much of an effort to not just let things go. Yes, there are things that worry me, it seems with all the environmental, socio-political, and economic woes our generation is facing. . . there really isn't much left save for the heightened intellectual awareness and the assertion for expression and creativity that we are left with. There is also a return to the Eastern wisdom---- perhaps, it's about just that time! To that, I give a toast to life.

There are reasons why

More than an excuse that I am back from a hiatus, I'd rather like to say that I am back from an interruption. So yes, obviously, I'm back from a six month absence. Again, because I'm finally on Christmas break and yes, I'd like to make this break count. Reemerge, reemerge, reemerge. So here are my thoughts: For the past six months or so it has come to my understanding that there is indeed no excuse for us human beings to be out of the line of responsibility for our own welfare and for the whole world, at least for our own immediate surroundings. AT this point I'm just thinking about the trash I put out-- did I segregate it good enough? I'm not writing to be coherent here. The good thing about blogging is that regardless of the fact that nobody reads your blogs because there are millions of other blogs that people would rather spend their time on--I am challenged to write more and write more, at a standard that is more demanding than a written journal-- and yet, knowing that I must account for honesty in what I write. Who reads this anyway? So there. Going back to the topic on responsibility-- I am trying to fully inculcate the understanding that I have to live my best life possible-- given the understandings that have come across my way. Recently, I have been guided by some motivation from again, The Secret, a morning session with Eve (of Eve's garden), Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth", a show on the BBC, The Happiness Formula, Benazir Bhutto's assassination, my profession, my studies, and a continued endeavor to work on my spirituality. It's true. I'm not afraid to talk about this. It's about time. And though, on the onset, not much of these manifest in a more productive, concrete way, I'm working on it. . . And yes, I know it's all a matter of personal conviction really. Ugh, okay okay, I'm going to say it!!!!!!!!!!!! Utter frustration! Is it because I've allowed myself to be too complacent with other irrelevant things that I have allowed to accomplish little. Yet, it's a personal judgment. Maybe I'm too harsh (work on the positive, work on the positive). At this point now I'm thinking, am I too self-absorbed? Well, immediately, here's the premise I'm working on: WHEN WE CHANGE, THE WORLD CHANGES. And yes, I'm pretty sure about this. In fact, I've been posting vigil on the BBC channel and bbc.com, and oh my goodness, there is so much to learn, so much to be, and so much to do. I hope it's not too late-- with all the roles and responsibilities, I must make a way to do whatever it is I need to do. There are reasons why I've lost touch for six months. I know the reasons. And those reasons won't ever interfere again. We are well informed. There is no excuse anymore, and that is scary.

Make time for this! See you guys at Araneta

essie Tomas, Boy Abunda, Ricky Davao and Timmy Cruz are the celebrity hosts of “Time and Transformation,” a unique entertainment/ experiential program set at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City, on Monday, June 18. Gates open at 6 p.m. and show time is at 7 p.m. Through song, dance and snappy video exchanges among prominent personalities of values-based vignettes, “Time and Transformation” will illustrate that changing for the better is as easy—often even enjoyable—as it is urgent. Floy Quintos directs the groundbreaking musical presentation, which will feature dance guru Douglas Nierras, with guests Joey Ayala and Grace Nono. The Charity First Mime Artists and Apostolic Catholic Church Choir will present special numbers. A very distinguished guest is Hirdaya Mohini, one of three administrative heads of the Brahma Kumaris, the international organization mounting the event to celebrate 70 years of global service (25 in the Philippines). Known around the world as Dadi Gulzar (“Bouquet of Flowers,” although her real name means “The One Who Attracts People’s Hearts”), the well-loved international lecturer and spiritual leader is expected to address a 10,000 capacity crowd at the Big Dome. “Time and Transformation” is a free concert and everyone is invited. For inquiries, please call tel. nos. 890-7960 (Rose Uy) and/or 922-9231 (Vicky Mandap.) Or visit www.bk-tnt.blogspot.com

My husband's visual DNA

hehehe. Unlike poles so attract

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

Oooohhhh . . . Profound

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

My reading project

So last night I was happily done with "Fat, Cranky and Full of It" by Sonni Viudez-- okay, I'm a tad bit woozy right now-- verge of sleeping-- but it was really really good. If more guys read it, they'd actually know how women are the greatest mystery ever and the sexes would live happily ever after for some moments-- at least! Anyway, the next one I'm reading is "Little Freedoms" by Maryanne Moll. I'm on the fifth page.

Long long line today-- but 'twas a blessed day

After waking up at around 12 mn, I couldn't get to go to sleep anymore. By one-ish, I was back in the Internet-- great cure for emerging insomniacs like myself (I hope not!!!). All I did was look at the listings of all international schools registered in EARCOS-- okay okay, I was just browsing! I wanted to see what the vacant teaching jobs were. So I did a little experiment-- the results and full account of which I will divulge in due time. I was done with the internet at around 5:30 a.m. and I was wavering on the idea whether or not I should go to my little part time job while I'm on vacation from work (my real work starts in August-- I have a two month break as part of being our "summer vacation" which really isn't summer anymore, sigh). So there. I still decided to go-- report at 8:30 and finished at around 10"45-- went straight to UP and by good graces got so so so much cooperation from Manang Violy. The angel of UP. I'll post her picture soon. Haggard, haggard, haggard-- wearing tsinelas, skinny jeans, and a frumpy shirt-- I was gasp!! gasp!!! mistaken to be a freshman at the table where they released enrollment forms!!!! super duper gasp!!! Maybe it's the 3 zits on my forehead-- that should have been way over 15 years ago. To my delight, I actually told them: "mag-add kayo ng 16 years sa edad na 'yon" (Add 16 years to my presupposed age). Hehehe! Anyway, what can I say???!!! So I actually veered off from this really really really long line-- payment of fees. So I just went to the UP bookstore. At this point I'm thinking: "Why I didn't take pictures at that time is beyond me." Argh! Sayang. Anyway, I'm taking pics tomorrow. I passed by the UP Press Bookstore-- ah, sanctuary-- an escape from today's enrollment hype. I'm thanking the Supreme Being up there that I've finally made peace with a professor today. Let's just finish with point that I didn't do anything in the first place, it's just that years ago, I was mistakenly blamed for doing something I did not do. Ah, bliss--- bliss, bliss. Today was extremely good.

An Afternoon of Pleasant Work at Forest House Bottomless Coffee at 40 pesos (or was it 35?)

Even at this time that I'm trying to whip up a thesis proposal and going through my stash of newly acquired NBS books, can I just say this. . . I LOVE BAGUIO!!! hehehehe! Now, I was going to go to SB (this gourmet coffee place) but heck ever since I could remember, I always want to get my money's worth. . . Here's what I need, ambiance, comfy couch, overflowing coffee. Why, while I was driving to John Hay, Forest House was just in the most convenient way!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeah! Perfect. I got to finish almost one whole book by this guy, Sonni M. Viudez, "Fat Cranky and Full of It: Funny Essays with Delusions of Grandeur"-- I'm trying to see his active construct of Filipino Femininity-- If you want to understand the whole mars and venus thing-- read this. I'm very very surprised that this writer is a guy. Anyway, the three consecutive pictures of coffee is not the same coffee. each picture says how often i had coffee.

This is the side that I incessantly look at for inspiration.

My stash of books to read and mashed potatoes with gravy

. . . and the coffee

I'm old fashioned. I don't want to bring my laptop. . . I went to the restroom thrice!!! Does that mean I have to bring my laptop too just in case to the restroom as well??? Just in case it tempts theivery . . .??? OMGosh! I need some peace of mind. So, yes, paper and pen is the way to go!!!

Second cup . . .

I actually had a third serving, but I'm not going to post that anymore. Funny, one of the waiters tried to strike a conversation. Funny, he was asking if I was taking up NURSING. . . NURSING????? huh??? Anyway, the conclusion is: I'VE FOUND MY SANCTUARY!!!!!!!!!!! YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE I'M GOING TO WORK AND WORK AND WORK AND WORK AND WORK. BY THE WAY, I SPENT SATURDAY NIGHT AT FOREST HOUSE. ACOUSTIC SINGING IS PERFECT. FOR A CONSUMABLE DEAL OF 150, I honestly feel I got more of a really good deal since the band-- DejaVu is absolutely excellent (I'm so tempted to record their songs and put it on a CD-- I so love the way they sing. . . Nice sounds for a good drive!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Session Road, Today, June 5

Since I've been off from official school work, there's nothing like being able to actually write on almost a daily basis (whether people read it or not, this really is for me anyway). ehehehe!!!! So here it is, just because of the sheer joy that I'm finally able to stroll along this endeared promenade (supposed to be) area, here is how Session Road looked at 11 a.m.

Aha!!!!!! I found my thesis proposal!

The Construction of the Nationhood and Identity through Toilet signs!!!! hehehhee!

Baguio Market Trip Part 5??!!!!!!!!???

Now here's the highlight of this particular market trip: Two words: Sweet Corn-- yum yum yum! I'm boiling one for myself now this very minute!

Sweet Kamote is such a delectable treat--you'll see in my next post!

I made mango cobbler today from a kilo that I bought! I love magoes!!!!

OOOhhhhhkay, here's a picture that has bangus, I think

Why, you could buy a dozen every single day!!!!!!!!!!!!

In conclusion, I'm am prone to feeding myself lots and lots this 2 month break! Yahoo! cheers to a life in BAguio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Market part 4

This is the ultimate place to buy everything made by soy beans: warm taho, warm soybean milk, tofu, tokwa, soft tofu-- aaahhh! Vegetarian paradise!!!!!!!!!!!

Interesting trivia just right outside the display glass. Need I say more???

Yum yum yum, when they're done, the bottle is warm. No sugar at all. It's a really heathly drink.

Vincent Van gogh should have taken inspiration from the hues of veggies.

I love love this-- specially in Mongolian eat all you can at O Mai Khan. I'm cooking Tom Yum so I'm getting a couple of these

Market Trip part 3

Due to my inability to move and shift things in the correct chronological way, you will have to eat from down to up. Forgive me!!!!!!! Dig dig dig this. Donuts that look like something out of Mister or Dunkin donuts for only 3 bucks. Unfortunately, I've never been a donut fan so I didn't try to do a taste test. Anyway, it was really really amusing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There's actually steam that comes out of this bag of fresh fresh native corn. Um um um!!!!!!!!!! Not to mention warm and I mean warm Taho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These come in ten peso to twenty peso deals!!!!!!!!! These come in 10-30 pesos . . . utterably fashionable. Style exudes from the wearer and not just the merchandise. You beg to disagree? I don't care!

My Market Trip (Part 2) There's more than a part two

Okay. So I don't know if it's me or my good luck but I can only load up once successfully. So that means I will have part 3 and 4, or even till 5. To post all the relevant pictures. Before I even got the market, I couldn't help myself but heed to the call of "National Bookstore". I was having an inner debate on whether or not I'm going to blow my moola on all and I mean all of Jessica Zafra's book for my thesis: The Constuction of Filipino femininity in Jessica Zafra's books but something within me told me that I needed to seek other options: Filipino women writers from the bookshelf-- equalling contemporary non-fiction writers and the construction of current Filipino femininity. Okay, so I went to National Bookstore since it was on the way naman to the market di ba? Years and years ago, National bookstore and actually being in there was already heaven for me. A trip to Manila wasn't complete till I step inside National Bookstore. I want to own one!!!!!!!!!!!!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHH! Seemingly "thin" books but hefty in words eh? Okay, NOW I'm on my way to market. Daily scene. Oh by the way, I did not use my camera. I wanted to take pictures in stealth--- actually added more pumpin' adventure to it. Oh see part three.

On my way to the Market

You've gotta cut me some slack. I took the advantage to go to HBC. I confess, I'm not into going to the parlor on a regular basis. When I go for some occasional haircut I get this incessant question of : So, who does your hair??? I detest that question. I just say, "Oh anyone." Have a shamed myself to shreds. Have I implied a non-sophisticated frumpy level for myself? You know what, I don't care. Oh anyway, back to HBC, on rare occasion that I get to go to HBC, my stash includes buying the biggest sizes of Apple shampoo and conditioner plus the biggest jar of hot oil. So there. Part of my marketing, okay!? Thou shall market for self first. hehehehe! Hey! I've worked hard to the bone this school year!

WHy is this here????!!!! I was waiting for parking near Abanao Square. I circled twice and I was looking at the clock and still reconciling with the fact that at 840 a.m., the parking is full. I had more pictures to this. Not just this one. I've been trying to load up pictures through blogger but I've been getting really bad rejections. . . ARgh! I'm experimenting on opening up a new post so I can post more pictures. It takes too long to put up pictures through blogger. Am I doing something wrong???!!!! The good thing is that I'm able to read the stash of books I bought yesterday. I'm on a reading marathon so that I can write up some meat for my thesis proposal. I'm sounding so selfish. Yes today is all about me. selfish selfish selfish. tsk tsk tsk

yahoo! I'm going to the market

Do or Die!!! It's Friday and I have my thesis proposal to finish by the end of this day. I need an energizer. Mediation thought: Thank you thank you thank you for all these auspicious opportunities. Now, being true to this life in Baguio, I'm taking some pictures of the Baguio Market. Now, because I'm vegetarian, I might be biased okay? Off I go! I'll be back!

What I prize about Baguio and the flourish of the Arts

I may not be able to be as mobile and as hawk-eyed as others in as far as the stuff that goes around here but from my work place, I relish the opportunity to marvel at the art work the students have done. Apart from actually coming up with a really simple book with the help of some students and staff-- not to mention, my co-teacher Cynthia, the environment of Baguio is soooo conducive for such growth for it is fecund ground. These are the students doing poetry reading from a fifteen minute exercise we had. I just have one for this: Phenomenal

Coming to a fruition is the revival of the literary anthology of works from the students: It took some gruelling nights to finish this atop the academic work we had to do but it was all worth it. A tradition has been revived. Till next year again Another product of genius is the annual IB Art Exhibit. My my, these guys can really really paint!!!!!!!!!!!!! These students are sooooo lucky: by Gia Mendoza, Grade 12

by Mica Bautista, Grade 12

by Monique Nassr, Grade 12

by Rachel Cho, Grade 12 Kudos to the Art Professor and my (hopefully) future teacher as well, Mr. Bob Joaquin Oh, see! Great to be in Baguio di ba?