How to Review for a Big Examination without sleeping

Sleeping is essential especially if you have a test. However, if you have to much of it,in such a way that it overpowered your time for reviewing for a big examination, chances are, the exam result is highly predictable, to the extent that you will end up asking yourself how you were able to answer the test questions. Indeed, I had a total of 17 hours of sleep. However, for this day, I don’t have enough sleep, so the question is, how will I pass the test?

SO HOW DO YOU PASS THE TEST?

1. Listen to the discussions.

2. Take down notes.

3. Depend on your stored knowledge.

4. Review, review, review.

5. “Cramming is the key to success.” (by Benverlyn C.)

6. Don’t forget to cram (which is the latest observable trend regarding studying).

7. “If all else fail…” You know what to do, better luck next time.”

What a pathetic guide. I wish that I will survive.

Academia

The beauty of the second quarter started last week, August 11th. The new subjects are quite demanding; and the demanding award goes to the following subjects namely, Introduction to Linguistics and Foundations of ESL (English as Second Language) /EFL (English as Foreign Language). Those subjects are no joke; and they sounded more demanding than I’ve thought.

Sometimes, I am wondering — why am I in the English world? The more I learn, it’s like, the harder it is for me to express myself in English both written and unwritten (oral). It’s like, being immersed with grammar-related stuff somewhat gave me the thought that there is an extreme necessity to speak eloquently, write perfectly, and communicate effectively. Unfortunately, I can’t speak eloquently, I can’t write perfectly, and I can’t communicate effectively. There will always be lapses, just somewhere between the words that we pronounce, the essays that we write, and between our communications with another entity.

Now, I ask myself — where will I be after graduation? The answer to this question is quite complex. I’m still thinking about the thesis by third year, the demonstration by fourth year, and all the troublesome things that may come. Who knows? I don’t know what will happen. What matters most right now is the ability to survive. Otherwise, if I fail to survive, then, the time that I consumed will just be another experience worth rethinking — experiences that may or may not be that useful.

Anyway, I’m still far from graduation. Anything may happen, and I am afraid that I might miss all the joys of being a free-spirit. All I have to do is do my best right now, even if I cram to death, and study some concepts regarding Phonology (the second time around) and Bilingualism Education in the Philippines. That’s it, I really need a life, give me a spare one.

Nobody Mania

Earlier this year, the Wonder Girls’ song “Nobody” got me going. I was totally hooked to that song. Now, there are new songs to listen to.

Then again, “Nobody” is famous — out of nowhere. There’s this English version (which I haven’t heard yet) and I was surprised because since the start of this school year (June), I can hear girls (and even gays) singing Nobody!

Below are avatars featuring the Wonder Girls (I made these earlier this year).

I wonder what’s next?

It’s Awkward Too

It’s Tuesday today — a very odd day because we’re not in our school uniform today.

For the past two weeks, ever since we had a make-up class every Wednesday, I see to it that I would be able to classify a person’s attire — whether it’s formal, informal, or immoral.

My friend Adriel would usually tell me, “A lot of people are over-dressed.” I’ll top her statement with, “And a lot of people are dressed improperly.” Some look like a rack (where you would hang your hat or your jacket), others would look like a pornstar from a night club, while others would look like artists that you usually see on TV — they dress to show what shouldn’t be seen.

It PUTS ME OFF — seeing a girl in black tights emphasizing her butt and (should I say this?) beautiful figure. Top it with a fitted blouse — and the lenght? — a mere one inch below the belt. Even if there are only few guys in our school, some would stare at that eye-catching scene. Girls are also like that, they would stare at something like that too. What a disturbing scene.

We should dress to look nice, dress to look clean, and dress to attract respect and not dress for attraction itself. For when we dress, we should cover what should be covered, if we dress to reveal, the purpose of proper clothing is obliterated. After all, one of the good reasons why some girls get raped or at the very least, gazed with evil intentions is because how they wear.

Proper clothing should be observed and clothing should be used with consideration — even if it’s fashionable or not.

Hired

Well how do you like that? I applied as a Neutral Body in the RagnaBoards Signature Battle (and yes, at Ragnaboards). I’m hired and that’s it. It’s not a job that will make me productive in terms of cash, I care for the experience. After all, I’ve been staying silent for a long time since my inactivity and closure of animeshare. I miss that.

Moving on, I wonder what’s next? The first battle will be on the first week of August (and that’s next week). It’s good that I have a lot of free time these days compared to the previous week/s that passed by.

My plan: simple, — coordinate. That’s it. I’ll do my part well.

The Business

I’ve been busy to hell since the start of the new school year. I’ve been running-out of energy and I think that I am just left behind — and sad to say, too left behind.

Being in the English Majorship is quite tough. It’s good that I’ve been informed about its “toughness.” There’s this part when our Professor in Academic Writing told us that the English Department can weed-out anyone who has a poor performance — and once again, much is given, much is required. Hopefully, I won’t be plucked out; anyway, I won’t be and I shouldn’t be.

Now, regarding my academic performance about other non-English subjects, I’ve been doing great (can you predict if that statement is an irony?). Well, maybe in Prof-Ed01 (Foundations of Education), and oh yes, this is an irony. I failed the two consecutive unit tests and as of now, there’s only one left. I’m glad that I passed the third unit test yesterday — and I didn’t even take a peek on my notes! I only had the proper chance to study on the same day of the test — three hours before the examination and I’m lucky that the test was easy compared to the previous tests. Sadly, I can’t catch up anymore. The tests? — a good 25% of our grade — and that means nightmare. I’m afraid I might get a grade below 80 this school year. I think I’m just too worried. I’ll do my best to boost my grades up by giving my all in my upcoming report — Idealism. Oh Idealism, give me a break.

Good thing that amidst my poor performance regarding Foundations of Education, I have three good news too. First, I got a grade of 96 in our last essay in Academic Writing! It’s a process essay and my topic is about web portfolios. My statement “The web is the Mecca of contemporary and freelance artists, and in order to go with the flow, you should have the edge regarding your work” was underlined by our Professor and with that underlined statement is a remark which says “I like this.” I guess, I’m getting the hang of it. That’s a challenge — a challenge to do more and to sleep less.

Second, my report in Prof-Ed02 (Child and Adolescent Development) was a success. I had positive remarks from my classmates. After all, the task was easy, it’s just that, I’m not confident when facing the entire class like a teacher. Good thing that this gave me another “batch of confidence.”

Lastly, the word that I used in describing Alfredo Salazar (top it with other guys) in the Story called Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez brought a somewhat controversial impact. So what’s the word that I used? — Polygamous. Chances are, men are more likely to be polygamous than women, I think; and chances are, these days, women tend to be more polygamous than men. That’s a personal opinion, disregard it anyway. I think because of that polygamous stuff, I will be remembered (Throw me potatoes and Tomatoes please).

Overall, I’m tired and I am drooling for at least a one-week break — however, semestral break is months away. I need to get a lot of sleep because everytime I go to school, I look tired (first thing in the morning). Oh well, I think that this is what our Professor meant by “catching up” and surely, it’s better than “packing up” (away from the College of Languages, Linguistics, and Literature) and transfer to College of Science (for I am still interested in General Science even if it’s a mere 20%). I’m still enjoying what I’m doing even if the other subjects would threat my sleeping hours. I need to study hard and I also need to sleep well. Oh well. Let the challenging world spin around!

Summer is Gone

I don’t feel the summer breeze anymore. I miss the warm breeze that slaps my face. It’s been gloomy for a week or two and even though I really love the gloomy ambience, this worries me because it’s summer and dang, it’s raining. It’s sad to say this, I am really sure that this is climate change – one of the many effects of Global Warming.

Too bad. Landslides occurred and took innocent lives. PAGASA said that the rainy season will be earlier than the usual. I think it’s being too early. Oh well, prepare, prepare, prepare.

Random Thoughts

Earlier this day, I was talking to a net buddy. It was a fine bit. Not only did I get to know scraps of information but I was also able to share some stuff about my side.

Of all the things that I’ve said, what caught my attention is: I DO MIND THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC STATUS OF A PERSON WHEN I AM LOOKING FOR A FRIEND. Well, as a kid, I don’t really mind. Now, as a grown-up, I do. Why? Kids doesn’t really talk about their parents’ money. When I was young, I had some pals which are rich. Wooh, I don’t really know where most of my childhood pals are but I mind to give them a little Hello too, if and only if, it is not awkward. As far as I can recall, we never talked about money. What I can recall is that when some of my classmates when I was in a private school, eyed some kids of our age because they look dingy. One of them even said that it is quite awkward to wear the white shirt that the mayor gave to public school students. This happened when I was at third grade. I thought, it’s indeed awkward. Guess what, there even came a time when I have I have to wear the same shirt myself! I felt uber awkward for I was thinking that my ex-classmates might pick on me. For me, way back there, I looked cheap, and I feel that I’m labeled. I was in sixth grade at that time, that’s when I realized that such factors that I’ve mentioned above matter after all.

I’m not saying that I’m trying to avoid rich people. I somehow think that most people want to befriend them because of their fame, their asset, oh, I dunno.

Now, thing has changed. I’m just another loser who can’t easily find a friend in a stranger. Trust counts and whatever my thoughts are, I believe that it is bound to change.

Twirpin’ and Trippin’

Now that the terrible Thesis is almost over, me and my friend Roan decided to twirp and trip at SM Manila.

Twirpin’ and Trippin’ list:
1. Have some fun.
2. Twirp and laugh, for laughter is the best medicine.
3. Count the number of couples (homo/bi’s/married ones are excluded).
4. Report the number of couples to our friend Jannessa by tomorrow.

The thing about SM Manila todays is that there’s this guy who approached us and asked for a minute or two for the sake of listening to him. He said that he came from an organization and that he’s taking up BS Math at PUP-Sta. Mesa. Anyway, it’s something about fund raising, blah, blah, blah and so, he offerred a Ball Pen worth 60 Pesos. Oh come on, what’s so special about that pen? It has a built-in 2009 calendar that slides back. I think that you can cheat using that pen (by taking an advantage of the presence of the calendar). Anyway, I told the guy that it’s expensive and that a times like this, with the economic crisis filling the air, come on. Don’t expect a thrifty person like me to buy a pen like that. I rather buy a Bic or a MyGel but not that kind of pen. Good thing that having the presence of mind, I was able to butt-in during our conversation and yes, I told him that in fund raisings, you are not suppose to give a specific amount of money but a random amount. Gladly, he bit that statement and when I gave the signal that me and my friend wants to decline, he reiterated what I’ve said and asked for any amount instead of buying that pen. I bet that pen is 4x cheaper than what he offerred. I gave 5 Pesos while Roan gave 20 Pesos. What an encounter. We should’ve asked about his ID immediately. The last time I gave money to a stranger was last year, about June, I think when I gave 12.50 Pesos to a guy who said that he doesn’t have any money to lead him back home. It was raining and yes, at first I was reluctant but I thought about the kid that was with him plus it was raining so hard. Nah, wherever they are, I hope that what I gave helped.

Another thing about our “Twirp and Trip” at the mall today is that I saw my two former classmates in High School. The last time I saw them was during graduation day – March 26, 2007. They’re a good couple now. Gah. Friendster is not helpful I suppose. Anyway, we talked for less than a minute on the way to the escalator. Hey, I want to chat but I was thinking about my friend too. Besides, we’re not close and we’re not opened. Needless to say, a wave and a simple hello is enough.

Thus, they’re the first couple from the list.

And so there goes the laughing and judging – we had a total number of 108. Relationships are rampant, especially among the young ones. It was a good twirp and trip session. It relieved me for some time.

So now, here I am again. Cramming is my game and beats me, I’m lame. I still have this final phase to complete – the power point presentation regarding my special project in Values Education. nothing to worry. Everything’s under my thumb. I can do this. I know I can.

(Whoah, what a self-affirmation… I learned a lot in Values Education after all)

Oh My Aching Brain!

I hate to say this but I really think that I should have listened to my thoughts more fully. The Filipino research/thesis is still staggering me to bits that I don’t really feel complete. I’ve been analyzing words from Tabloids for hours and I smell like newspaper already. I think that the scent of newspapers is addictive; if not, appalling.

I don’t want to have another profound decision. My indecisive mind is tired. I want to take a hiatus after this. I’ve been thinking of summer vacation and the thought about it uplifts me. It motivates me to continue. For the sake of grades, yes, I will strive to push things forth. I don’t want to compel myself anymore. To wiggle my mind away from this challenging problem, I played around with Photoshop earlier this day. I do have spare time and thus, I have something that looks like this:

Before:

After:

I don’t really like halftones but it seem so nice to look at. Signature features BoA. I got the image here. For a signature without “Lymie feels it too,” click here. Use it wisely, do not be greedy. It’s exclusively for forum use only. I made that for my forum signature @ RB.

Retro days are coming back. We see the styles of the oldies fused with futuristic fashion delights. Oh, I don’t want to talk about fashion. I’m a total disaster.

So probably, by now, most of my classmates are dreaming while I’m busy thinking about vacation. The sun can’t wait; so are my grades.