sem break log: day 7

not even a week and i'm already trooping back to manila.

well, there's always something that comes up. be it available grades, meetings, or random errands, the sem break just has to be disrupted one way or another. but it's not like i'm complaining; in fact, it was a half-welcome siesta from the vicious, repetitive cycle i've adapted at home. if only it wasn't so mind-numbingly tiring.

my original plan for today was just to head off to manila to try and retrieve some class cards or grades, and purchase some supplies in robinsons. however, a persistent classmate asked for her compensation for the play expenses, and since the money was accidentally left in my care, i had to take responsibility for it. and lastly, a localized panic came in the form of the nmat applications. nmat, for national medical admissions test. being imed students, it's not so much of a big deal for us, but it was still a requirement for our entry into the college of medicine. and the application period came as a blow to us, not just because it was made aware to us just now during the sem break, but the deadline would be in 2 weeks, and the college wouldn't handle our applications for us. and presto, just another thorn in the proverbial ass.

i headed off to manila around 7:15, arrived 8:15, late for our set meeting time. but it turns out, the others wouldn't arrive until 9. good thing i brought my wheel of time book 1 along for the ride. maan, mac and i rode 3 jeeps to get to the makati office and burned P500 for each application form we got. we headed for glorietta to meet pat and to have lunch, but something about g4 made us so lethargic that no one would take charge and choose a place to eat. i tried to make suggestions, but no one would be enthusiastic or even the least bit receptive to the ideas. we ended up eating at maxim's tea house just because we didn't have much time left. we took a taxi back to manila, and by the time we arrived at the cas, our classmate who was waiting for the money was long gone. hehe, my bad. we then went to rob to have id pictures taken, and to have an application form lbc-ed to bicol. it was then to upcm to fill up application forms and to have them verified, and then practically everyone left their accomplished forms with me, with the testing fee, since i would be returning to the office next week, with a driver in tow. that was 1300 a pop, easy. if only i wasn't so trustworthy and righteous.

well, it was extremely exhausting, and the expenses incurred are unspeakable, but like i said, a welcome interruption. 6 days of pure lethargy at home has made me realize that i actually miss being in manila (but not for the toxicity and stuff), being with my friends, being in a liberated environment. today just reminded me of that, and gave me a little respite from the boredom and loneliness. so if anything, i should thank the nmat for that.

and oh yeah, pat came to the cm with the biggest high for me. meaning, she brought our humanities 2 art critiques. these were from any artwork we would have chosen in a ccp exhibit over a month ago. and it turns out, i got a 1 for the paper. and my professor wants a copy of my essay. haha, what an ego boost. in fact, i read my essay over again just now, and i realize that it could possibly be my best-written academic work ever. and that's simply amazing, considering this paper took me nearly 8 hours in cramming time, with 2 classes cut in the process. but maybe that's just what it takes, a little delinquency to juice up the creative process. i'm actually considering posting the entire essay here, but its 6 pages long on word. maybe just the introductory poem i made, as a taste test.

hehe, beware of growing ego.