This is what it feels like.

(On the left corner are the books I've read this year, while on the right corner are book I have yet to read)

I bet this is what it feels like to be unemployed. I just finished my internship for broadcast but I haven't started my On-the Job-training for print yet and I'm aiming to have one after the Holy Week but for now these books will keep me busy.

I. Books I've read: Kiko Machine Blg. 5 Venn Man- Manix Abrera, Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan- Bob Ong, Daddy Long Legs- Jean Webster and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde- Robert Louis Stevenson.

II. Future read-list: To Kill a Mocking Bird- Harper Lee, Great short works of Mark Twain- Mark Twain, The Return of Sherlock Holmes- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes: The complete novels and Stories Volume I- Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Me and Mr. Darcy- Alexandra Potter, The Kitchen God's Wife- Amy Town, The Murder in Mesopotamia- Agatha Christie, Portrait of a Lady- Henry James and Where the heart is- Billie Letts

Most of these books were second-hand. I hoarded them intentionally for summer vacay but it turns out that I'd be spending most of my time on my OJT, however, for now that I still have my free time I'd be reading these along with the E-books I downloaded for my Kindle.

What was I thinking really, I can't stop myself from buying books. If I see one that's good enough for my taste and the price is good enough for my pocket I'd go buy them even when my stock of books are still piled up. I know, books are to be read and not just meant to be stocked. My friend always tell me that, but, I still feel like buying them even when I have a lot already. Here goes my impulsive self again. Don't you worry, I promise I will read them when I have time.

P.S. That's the reason why my Twain book's with my friend already. Only because it's been with me for a long time and still haven't read a page of it. My bad. Sorry, my beloved books.


III. Additional to-reads: A million little pieces- James Frey and 4 Archie Comic Digest courtesy of Ate Mary.

So, I bought another book at Booksale and these comic digests arrived from New York. Thank you, Ate Mary!

Oh my, my read-lists are getting longer but I love it. I'll never get bored with a book in hand. For now I will just control myself and stop buying books. Err. But that won't keep me from visiting bookstores.

Whatever happened to A.Y. 2010-2011

...and to everything else in between.

I drafted this blog some days ago thinking of what to write because the school year was just full of emotions that I can't put it into words.

Like every school year, there are a lot of stories to tell with this one. Happy ones, sad ones and undefinable ones. Of course, all of those things are what's keeping it worth remembering. To say the least it has been one of the hardest school years so far for I've got to deal with a lot of things aside from school works. There's a lot of pressure going on especially on the latter part where I have to organize the things needed for my internship this summer. Luckily though, I got over all the hardships and passed the subjects not with flying colors but still just right and something to be thankful for. After all the shoots for PhotoJourn, schedule mishaps, shoots for ArtApp Docu, long hours in front of my laptop editing and transcribing videos, interviews here and there, editing of research papers. it's all done and I'm off to face another one this coming June. A big one, for it'll hopefully be my last year in UST. Oh yes, that fast already. We'll be the official Quadricentennial Senior batch by May 31. I don't know what to feel with that but I'm glad I've overcome six semesters already. So whatever happened to Academic Year 2010-2011 will just stay there. And whatever I will feel this coming school year is something that I am looking forward to.

UST @ 400

My school, The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, is celebrating its Quadricentennial year this 2011 and I am lucky to have witnessed it and be a part of its history, in a way.


Here's a glimpse of UST @ 400:

(Main Building, December 2010)

(Christmas Lights, December 2010)

(Poy dancers at Lover's lane, Paskuhan 2010)

(Hello, guys! This is me enjoying Paskuhan 2010!)

(The most-awaited, Paskuhan fireworks!)

(Ely Buendia and his band Pupil caps the night with their hits \m/)

"Kaninang umaga nagising ako may bakas ng ngiti sa mukha. Kasama kita sa aking panaginip, sasabihin ko dapat sa'yo pero wala ka na.. wala ka na pala.." -Nasaan ka, Pupil

The countdown to 400 years started December 16, 2009 and the celebration continues til we reach 2011. Paskuhan 2009 and 2010 were part of these celebrations. What I love about Paskuhan 2010 are the bands, Up Dharma Down, Franco, Kamikaze and of course, Pupil. The night ended my December with a bang.

2011

(Athena, Faculty of Arts and Letters represent)

Quadri Program Countdown to 400
January 27, 2011(Thomasians started the night with a solemn prayer)

(The UST field and Granstand's jampacked that night, amazing!)

(Time warp 1611-2011)

(Alumni RJ Jimenez on-stage)

"If we fall in love, maybe we'll sing this song as one." -If we fall in love, RJ Jimenez

(Jugs Jugueta of Itchyworms rocked the night out as he went down the stage)

They sang Beer, Akin ka na lang, Love team, Penge naman ako niyan, the Showtime theme song and etc.

(From L-R Apple Chiu, Sarah Geronimo and Jamie Rivera)

(Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano)

(Royal and Pontifical. Confetti showered as the clock strikes 12!)

I was lucky I got media pass to cover this Quadri Program for my org. I totally enjoyed the night because however tiring it was, my school spirit was relived. It was an overwhelming experience and at the same time I feel like I've seen the history of my school unfold before me. Amazing feeling I have.

Quadri Fiesta
January 28, 2011

Free food! ...dated on the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas. I was too tired the previous night because the Quadri Program ended late and my body's aching from standing too long while covering but I can't miss this once in a lifetime event. So yeah, I still went to school and I was surprised that there are long lines of people waiting for the food. Two thumbs up for the food supplies: Elan's lechong baboy, lechong manok, Max's, bucket of rice and many more. It was a fiesta indeed! It was actually cute seeing students eating at the Quadricentennial park with all their plates and utensils. it's like a one big picnic, only happier because I'm with the Thomasian Community. And yes, should I highlight that everything is FREE?! I guess there's no need.

My Quadri-experience was so far so good and I'm looking forward to more exciting events this year. And I would love to savor each of those because it's gonna be my last year in UST (hopefully) (*fingers crossed*). On top of that, I enjoyed all these because I spent it with people close to me, I'd still love to share the future events with them because they're something that will make it more worthwhile.

Dearest reader

This is becoming an unattended blog and for that, I apologize once again.

I don't even know if there are regular readers/followers here or if there are any who's interested with my blog and what goes on with my not-so-boring-plain-life. Heck, I don't even have fans or haters to prove that, but what the hell, I'm still writing anyway.

But you know what? it's good to know that once in a while, someone will approach me and say: "Hey, I've read your blog. Keep writing." I have a good feeling when I get compliments like that, it's like even when I know my writing style is not really exceptional and I usually talk about non-sense random topics and events in my life , there are still few people left who appreciate what I write. I am thankful that they are there because they inspire me to write even when you know, there's really nothing worth writing about.

So... to you who's reading this now, THANKS A LOT! Thank you for using your precious time reading this. Sorry for wasting your time and for not meeting up with your expectations because of my shortcomings, but let that be not a reason to stop reading and following this blog. I may know you personally or not but I love you for giving an f*** and caring about my posts. I hope I can read yours too. Till next time, I promise I will update this once I have a chance. Be still and get happy! :)

Love,
Ladyluckgazette

Surprise, surprise!

In an hour and 5 minutes I will turn 20.

(At least when I drafted this post. January 21)

My college friends love surprising friends who celebrate their birthdays. When I was about to turn 18, some of them attempted to surprise me. You know, just the usual. My crush as their gift, but of course they failed so until now I haven't received any surprise, not even once. Because I warned them that I hate surprises. I have this weird anxiety attack (Which I hate but keep on happening at the most unexpected times of my life, ugh.), even though the thought of seeing my crush on that special day makes me want it more, I just can't. I might get frozen or what. Nearly heart attack perhaps, oh well. My nervousness really is annoying and exaggerated and I don't want that to happen in front of the man of my dreams. Who wants that to happen anyway? It's shameful. But given the chance I listed the 10 surprises I would like to be prepared for me, on my birthday or on Valentine's Day. I know these are really impossible things to ask, but this is just me and my playful imagination. Plus these really are intended to be impossible. Who knows? It might just happen.

1. Wake up and see my love on my bedside holding a bouquet of flowers and a big bear and see trails of roses on my room traced with the sentences "Happy birthday" or "I love you." --Cheesy, I know. But it takes a lot of effort. And I'd surely appreciate anyone who'd be brave enough to do that. But first, you should ask for my parents' permission because it's our house anyway.

2. Be given a book which has a ticket to Paris inside or a concert ticket of my favorite artists would do. --That would be so lovely.

3. Come home from school and have a surprise birthday party with all the people I miss.-- This is cliche, I like it just like in the movies. I just want to know how it feels like if it's happening to me.

4. Enter a roomful of my favorite things and food from my favorite people.

5. A video with all the birthday greetings from my favorite people, crushes etc.

6. Get a call from everyone whom I haven't seen in ages. From my favorite people.

7. Have someone sing me my favorite songs on stage if possible. Like that on TV, whenever they surprise celebrities.

8. Receive tons of love letter from my favorite people.

9. Have a dance with all my crushes. --I sound like I'm 18 here. HAHAHA!

10. Be taken to that lovely place somewhere down south and have a candle lit dinner wit my love. (That place will remain secret, though.)

Some are just impossible. One, I don't have a love. Second, some are just too expensive. And some take serious effort and time. Too golden that you would not want to expect.

P.S. I'd love to have a ride on a hot air balloon with someone. Someone who I don't know yet.

Now make that the 11th surprise.

#2010 was...

(Bring it on 2011!)

I don’t know what word will suit it best but I am still hashtagging the year that was. It has been my tradition to blog every 31st of December so yeah.

Tap tap tap goes my nineteen year-old self blogging on the last day of the year. Last day of the milennium decade. Last year of being a teen. Can you believe it?
That fast. But oh well, 2010 was nevertheless good. Although I ranted, cursed and sobbed almost everyday of my life, 2010 has been considerate enough.
I cannot count the memories I weaved all throughout the year, good or bad, I learned and I am very much thankful for that. The 2000 decade was also good, Thank God! Congratulations, we survived 2010!

(GPOY: I knocked-out 2010!)

Cheers to my teenage years! I am saying goodbye this early so that I won’t see myself in state of denial on the day that I turn 20. I look like a kid, but yeah I am turning 20 this January. You can’t do anything about aging. Nobody can escape, so 20s, I am welcoming you this early. Embracing my oldness if there is such a thing. Hurrah! I’m glad I knocked out 2010 alive and kicking. This goes to the past 19 years of my life as well. I hope we’ll all have a kick-ass year ahead.

For the new people I met, new experiences I’ve had and abundant blessings I received, I am raising my glass! For the people who stayed and cared, I love you! Cheers to you all and thank you for being part of my life in the past 12 months and should I say, 10 years. It was all worth it. We have another year to share with, and I am only hoping the best for all of us. Forget about what’s making us sad and hurt, let’s all be happy, have a heart-ache free, healthy and smooth-sailing year. I’m sending all the good vibes and luck. Let’s make 2011 epic. Be better! You know I love you! Make 2011, mine oh mine.

For now let’s just savour the hours left for 2010, enjoy the Fs: food, fireworks, friends and family! Happy Strong New Year!
Love, peace and happiness for everyone! Attraversiamo this new decade! <3

To God be the Glory!

“Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.” - Charles Schulz

First sem A.Y. 2010-2011: Photo-blogged

If I were to describe the First Semester I've had, I'll use a line from Eminem and Rihanna's Love the way you lie, "I can't tell you what it really is, I can only tell you what it feels like..".
Exactly that, because it is hard to describe but in five words it is:
1. Sleep-depriving- Sometimes I don't even sleep. Now, my body clock's reversed. Screwed. I'm always alive during the wee hours of the night. Turned zombie. I.need.to.restart.my.bodyclock. Seriously.
2. Too hectic- deadlines here and there, write. write. write. (even when writer's block happen almost every time that I needed it) Juggled three editorial tasks along with quizzes, projects and exams for I was an EIC for a group in Lit, Assoc Ed for a group in Feat and Features Ed for a group in NPM. Tiring but I got through it easily because of good and helpful colleagues,Thank God!
3 and 4.Fun and memorable- I got to meet awesome people, cover events, do things I've never done before, gained a lot of experience with a rollercoaster of emotions and taught me some tough lessons (good or bad), travel, have photoshoots, sleepover, interviews, learn a lot of things, practice them,and get good grades in the process. and I guess that is why it ended as #5. Fulfilling. The word itself says it all.

I think these aren't enough though, in a span of almost 5 months so much has happened and I guess it'd be more vivid if I put them into photos. Let's include the non-school related stuff as well.

June

June 16, 2010.Wednesday. Taken right after Sir Nestor Cuartero's first Feature Writing Class meeting. After this day, so much has happened. A magazine project etc.

July

July 9, 2010. Watched this for free! I'm a sucker for concerts that I joined a contest on radio. Thanks to U92FM for this opportunity. I was hella lucky to win tickets especially that this is THE USHER. Totally made me OMG!

August

Met two Legendary personalities. National Artist for Literature, F. Sionil Jose at the Annual Journalism Seminar and Manix Abrera, my favorite cartoonist!

September

Mona's 18th and Trojan Women shoot for Achaean Lith magazine. I had fun on both.

October

Had a free Walk this way tour, courtesy of the Mr. Carlos Celdran. I was also able to interview him for Halo-Halo magazine and Metro Bullet News blog. He was the man of the hour then because of the Damaso thing and I was lucky he agreed for an interview.

There are several memories to share but those were just some that encapsulated over the past five months. I know second sem will add more to these. I am looking forward to that.