The Definition of “Arayat 5”

It all started with this:

Many expressed interest but few chose to heed the call—and those who did conquered every odds and obstacles in order to claim, “We owned Arayat!”

There were only five of us who went on with the climb—Sauron, Ohmer, A, R and me. Actually, I wasn’t even sure of going and R really had no intention to come at all—it turned out that at the last minute, those who expressed the intention to climb bailed out and we ended up choosing to join instead. The Arayat 5 from DLSU. From left: Ohmer, R, A, me and Sauron.

Since Ohmer is from Pampanga, we met with him in Brgy. Ayala and began the convoy that would bring us to the base of the mountain.

And as if sharing the ride with us, we saw what awaits us in minutes—a mountain that does not look as intimidating.

So this is the base where we began the trek. There’s another shot way before we’re completely wasted from climbing. Hehehe, nakangiti pa, o!

The rest of the climbers are Ohmer’s friends—they were nice enough accompany us in this trip.

These were some of the views of the lowlands—and we’re not even a quarter past the base!

I suppose it’s safe to say that this is where things got serious. Of course, we didn’t know that until we were deeper into the mountain. Since this terrain was such an open space, we had to adjust to the sun, which slowly began to take a toll on our hydration. Despite that, the photo ops were too good to pass up.

Deep into the trail. At this point, it’s a physical and mental battle. Although personally, I enjoyed the climbing part.

And we arrived at White Rock, which I believe is the second highest peak. From this place, the summit of Mt. Arayat can be seen...reaching THAT little tower is our goal.

Sauron is not yet here because he took a wrong turn and went temporarily missing…

Oh, there he is now.

A couple of hours later, we finally reached the top, where two dogs greeted us. Here is one of them.

We had our lunch here (at 1430H) but we were too hungry to take a pause and photograph the food…so, just settle with how view from the peak looks like.

So here we were after gaining some energy back…

We stayed at the peak for about an hour before heading back. Dusk caught up with us but it was still a sight to behold—the sunset and the emergence of the stars (okay, this is actually the planet Venus, the stars were too far to be photographed).

I suppose the big question is, “Was the climb worth it?” Well, it’s my first time to seriously climb a mountain—apparently, the trekking we did in Davao is child’s play compared to this. I would consider this as one of the charge-to-experience moments, where at least, I wouldn’t wonder “what-if?”

For one, I learned I am a climber, such that I can keep up with the guys going upwards. Going down, on the other hand, is a totally different story—I suck at going down. Compared to how fast (and almost with reckless abandon) I climb up, I was incredibly slow and careful when I go down, and even with such care, I still slipped more than thrice. It felt more spectacular for me when I got down compared to when I got to the peak (though it felt awesome, too) because of the sheer amazement that when I looked up again and saw the tiny tower on the peak, I had to remind myself that I just came from there.

One moment I won’t forget is literally climbing a steeply inclined terrain with only large rocks to cling on for support—no harnesses or something soft to fall back on. In hindsight, it was dangerous but it was worth the risk. Trekking for 10 hours in varied terrain definitely tested us physically and mentally. On a personal note, I remind myself not to dismiss ideas such as climbing the stairs of Andrew Building from ground to, say, 10th floor at the least; undertaking two straight hours of tennis training-in-hell under humid conditions in an open court; or taking 9 units of post graduate course work under the known sadistic professors.

The climb made me realize just what all of us are capable of—we’re not the Arayat 5 for nothing.

Pics from Arayat 5 cams--Ohmer, Sauron, R, A and J. For those who plan to grab the last two pics, please credit the genius in Sauron--nag-overtake pa yan para lang habulin ang sunset.

I AM GOING TO GLOAT

Manikin presents the drawing that defines how the grounded theorist has outdone herself:

This drawing actually reminded me of my experience writing the discussion chapter of my Master’s thesis—I have no idea how I was able to come up with something this good (considering I haven’t done any art for a long time, let alone use a coloring medium). It felt great to get my hands dirty and be reacquainted with my drawing tools—my ever-dependable Colleen colored pencils (the medium that I was confident to use), my HB and 2B clutch pencils, my kneaded and rubber erasers, my brush thingy, my Uni fine point signpens, and of course, my Canson sketchpad. It is also because of this drawing that I’ve convinced myself that French curves cooperate with me more than rulers.

Of course, I had a lot of bloopers. For one, I forgot that when I used to draw, I draft the outline in scratch paper first before using the sketchpad-I completely skipped that part, and wasted two pages of sketchpad. Then, it took a while for me to realize how the human anatomy works and just how simple foreshortening really is; I forgot that 3 layers of colors will render the area un-erasable, hence, my plan to cheat on the highlights was foiled and that I misplaced my mechanical eraser. Nonetheless, it was a really nice experience to be able to draw again, and simply to know if I can pull “it” off.

However, despite this air of awesomeness I feel about myself, I also can’t help but feel a bit melancholy about the drawing. Fact is, this was a gift art and it will never be “portfolio-ed” along with the others I made. It was a wee bit sad to see the part of my desk bare where the drawing used to be. Thank goodness for Xerox machines and scanners! It will never be the same, but somehow the digital image of this drawing will join my other originals.

And so, while I recharge for the next project (whenever that will be), I shall enjoy this moment.

WriteShop

Thesis article - DONE. *fistpumps*

One more to go! Peer group, you're NEXT.

Practice what you preach

Today, I CONTENT ANALYZED my blog entries and the results are the labels that you see on the right side panel of the screen. I could've O.C.-ly gone further and do a full blown grounded theory analysis (I was actually tempted to operationalize my categories) but I have a life and need to continue doing other pertinent tasks.

I AM applying what I learned from school though. LOL!!!

Random

JPOP: Out of curiosity, I watched Macross Frontier. Even if the Macross saga received raves ever since, I was never a fan of it—simply because singing female pop idols facilitating a space battle just isn’t my cup of tea. Sure, they make GREAT background music during the fight scenes and that’s exactly what I had to—pretend that it’s just BGM. I guess I’d take it more seriously if it’s just the mecha (maybe that’s why I’m more interested in Macross Zero…), but the equation of Macross is always Mecha + Music so if I can’t live with one, I guess I’ll never be a Macross fan. Anyway, the fight scenes in the last episode of MF were incredible (again, I am speaking as if the essence of the pop idols’ singing is irrelevant to the plot and is merely BGM to pump the fight scenes), and dare I say BETTER than Gundam. INCREDIBLE ANIMATION—so good that it’s enough to make one wonder what it’s like to fly one of those Valkyrie thingies ^o^. The plot is relatively simple and if I cared a little, I might’ve taken the effort to fully understand what it’s about—but definitely not head-splitting like Gundam (or Evangelion—head AND soul-splitting!). What else…there’s a love triangle here—the lead pilot dude and the two female pop idols. Surprisingly, I don’t hate the triangle (but I don’t favor any either). It’s open ended as to who ends up with whom but I don’t really care…I was amused that the creators actually have a rationale in making the lead guy very androgynous (typical “bishounen”)—smart of them to say he came from a Kabuki-oriented family, there goes your excuse! LOL! Conclusion...YAY for GUNDAM 00 Season 2! ^___^

RESEARCH: Of course, marathoning MF through online streaming meant that my PC will be occupied for a long time so I took this opportunity to go through my Youth Research literature. I ACTUALLY TOOK NOTES AND WENT THROUGH 15 OF MY 19 RRL!!! Now THAT is mixing business with pleasure. Unfortunately, I’m not yet done. The last ones were incredibly high in content that I have to decide how to go about the note taking. I will finish it this week. Yeah! *fistpumps*

SNIPERS: If I recall correctly, I have a thing for characters who play snipers (or anything long-ranging shooting skill—including in basketball where I’d choose a 3-point shot over a slam dunk any day). I just have a teeny weeny bit of a complaint…WHY THE HELL DO THEY ALWAYS GET KILLED?!?!? It happened in G00, FMP and MF! Darn it.

YUMMY: I remember Vivi (who’s in NZ now) always likened my types of guys in the looks department as “boylets”. Well, I doubt THIS DUDE will be classified as one. Yay, someone finally joined Eric Bana in the rugged look category—go Diego Buñuel! I won’t tell your mother you went to *bleep!* ^o^.

Omigosh, omigosh, OMIGOSH!!!

I will go back to work. I just need to get this out. I was just randomly looking for some German songs (based on hits) then stumbled upon Herbert Groenemeyer and then turned out he sang something for the 2006 World Cup!!!

This video is made of WIN!!! In the last few seconds, it showed some greats in football, the likes of Maradona, Pele, Zidane and Ronaldo.

Yay!!! Zizou's included!!! ^____^ I know I talk a lot about tennis but football is definitely one of my favorite sports. I may not have the patience to watch a game of every season of every European League but definitely, the most beautiful sport in the world! And hey, it was because of football that I started blogging anyway ^_~.

A cRaZy week ends today!!!

For the first time in a long while, I felt like I was working in an office and not in a school. Laid back was not the best description for this week—instead, it’s fast-paced and things had to be done one after the other. I tried hard not to think that in the remaining ten hours of my time, I wasn’t really getting paid to get the work done. Ah, woes of a part-timer >__<.

Today was a rather interesting one. I was supposed to play again this morning but the trainer didn’t show up! GOOD THING I had to do something early in school anyway (out of sheer stupidity from the day before) so I thought, some laps around City Hall would compensate as a workout. I finished about an hour of walking/running and as I waited for my dad to finish his laps, I went back inside the court to watch. After talking a bit with this girl that I’ve seen a couple of times, a regular senior player approached us and asked if we wanted to use the court. The girl who I was talking to said her instructor was not there yet so the senior (let’s call him Sir Joe) asked me. I told him about my trainer but for some reason he still insisted, saying that once the people start coming in, I might not be able to play. Anyway, I didn’t think he’d take no for an answer and really felt that my time coming in early shouldn’t be wasted so he volunteered to be my hitting partner.

So much for my plan to be in school at 830am. LOL!

Actually, instead of him, the brother of my trainer played with me. He just happened to play but not really work there. I spent 30 minutes hitting before my superego got the best of me. Besides, I can’t hog the court for so long when sir Joe still hasn’t played. After the game, he seemed pleased that the purpose of my going to a tennis court has been accomplished ^^; The moment I got home, I rushed and prepared for school.

Let’s sidetrack a bit as to why I HAD to get to school early. It’s because I had to check an exam I promised to be returned today…something I was supposed to do yesterday but was unable to do so because even if I was prepared yesterday, I realized that the exams were in my locker and I forgot to bring my keys.

“D’oh!!!” (Simpson, 2007)

But I thought, I can check them early in the morning today…only to realize that the locker is in the lab, which opens at 10am to which I no longer have keys to and my class is at 1030am.

“D’oh!!!” (Simpson, 2007)

So I had to make arrangements to meet a colleague with a key. It all worked out in the end anyway. Even if I’m already thinking of another way to meet him since I wouldn’t make it on our earlier agreement of 830am, he informed me that he’d be late. So there were no problems there. Yay. I made it on time with the exams and proved that I can check and record papers in one hour and it shouldn’t take me three hours when I’m doing it at home.

Pressure apparently makes me work better. ^o^

CLASS SUSPENSIONS

Which student wouldn’t like class suspensions? I bet few would. I remember when I was younger class suspensions would be such a blessing especially when it’s right on exam day.

Of course, I wonder which student thinks about the world of other people who have to deal with class suspensions…like maybe their teachers? (Yeah, I bet they’d care, LOL!)

Being in a trimestral system does not help either. I’ve been molding and remolding my existing course plans and adjusting it again and again.

Sigh, I’m starting not to care anymore. I should use the time to check the mountain of papers I have.

It better rain really hard today.

[sun is slightly radiating outside…meh.]

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On other notes…YEAH, BABY!!! THE DJOK HAS FINALLY GONE PAST THE FED EXPRESS!!! I know, I know—Montreal is not even a grand slam but it was so nice to see other players beat Federer. Too bad Djokovic’s already out in Cincinnati. I do hope he does well in the US Open.

…Yes, Bagh-daddy…I’d still root for you, too… ^_^

Cogitations of an Idle Mind v.1

• Doing research is more fun when it’s not a requirement. I’ve done about 3 of these already and the experience was worthwhile. Of course, there’s pressure but not as much since I don’t have to think that my graduate degree will depend on it. Unfortunately, that is not the case with my thesis at the moment.

• Unlike most people, rainy days cheer me up. I like to watch the rain fall from the sky. I love the coolness it brings as well. Consequently though, this reinforces laziness and the desire to sleep for that extra ten minutes.

• A couple of weeks ago, I finished watching Full Metal Alchemist. The anime isn’t so bad, as a stand alone, that is—comparing it to the manga is another story. I liked the idea that our world is actually what’s on the other side of the gate. And Maes Hughes is just so funny. Too bad HE…

• And last week, I rewatched FULL METAL PANIC/TSR/FUMOFFU. The story is just brilliant. It’s taking a while for the next installment of the translated novel to be uploaded though.

• What does an archer, a sniper and a three-point shooter (in basketball) have in common? I don’t know what to call IT but if you do, tell me. Whatever IT is, I’m fascinated by it. It has grace with stealth in it. Success rate seems 50-50 and the presence is so covert. No wonder I tend to like people/characters with such roles. What can I say—it’s better than a swordsman, close-range battle or slam dunk!