Kairos

“KAIROS” is a Greek word meaning “special time”.  A retreat is not an attempt to escape the "real world," but an effort to fully enter into the experience of living. And by that meaning, I’ve opened myself through my life’s reality  at a very lovely place.

Last September 21-23, students in Senior classes from Sociology and Pol Sci had a retreat for three days held at Caleruega, Batangas (I've heard of this place since I was in 1st yr college). 4 UST buses filled with students departed from school early Wednesday morning. It was after lunch when we arrived. Immediately, we are confronted by a tremendous panoramic views. 

Comfortable cabins, few activities, adequate foods, and cool fresh air.. Went sightseeing and attended talks by Thomasian priests. FYI they're just using iPad and a MacBook. Our rooms have a large window with the best views. The food? Um.. Not so great.  I can honestly say that there wasn’t a time when I didn’t enjoy myself. It was a great time as it always is.  It gave me the chance to reconnect with all the things that matter to me.

In this retreat atmosphere, without the normal distractions of daily life, each and everyone’s inner-self can be renewed, relationships can be deepened, learning enhanced and group or individual goals renewed or reset in a meaningful manner.

Aside from the fact that this retreat is our final culminating senior spiritual event. There is something about retreats that still has a special place in my heart. Despite my busy schedule (folk school works) I'm so enticed by the idea to participate in this retreat. So in many ways, this retreat had a greater purpose. Many students have to deal with peer pressure, various temptations and struggles. I want to end my semester right. For the first time in my life "Nasusunod ko ung penitence ko"I am so fired up for God. Thank you  father Allan de Guzman for your advices.

I thought the retreat was a life-changing event for me personally. The Retreat. Well, probably the wrong word for it, more like the advancement! 

Everything here is a snap-worthy

Solidarity night

all smile retreatants

My absolute favorite picture from our retreat

Our Thursday night was spent enjoying and entertaining talent show and a warm and cozy bonfire.

If you are looking for somewhere to stay that is relaxing and beautiful, this is the place. Kahit hindi kayo magre2retreat, recollection or whatsoever visit this place. You'll love it.

Cheer your hearts out! Chant ‘til you drop!

For UST and UP, the cheerdance competition is a must-see/most awaited event every year. This event is so popular that tickets sell out rapidly.  

Yezzz, it was my first time to camped around the Araneta Coliseum waiting for the release of UAAP cheerdance tickets. Around 200 to 300 people were already there when I arrived at 10:30 pm. Some of my classmates were already there "nakisinggit naman ako." The first 250 were listed down. At siempre pang 184 ako. Our tickets were secured. Grabe!! The sense of accomplishment that we were able to get a ticket. Btw, 8 or 9 am na ata kami nakakuha ng ticket. Sa subrang pagmamahal at supporta sa UST Salinggawi. We've endured so much! 

Thousands of  students, alumni, families and supporters trooped to the Big Dome on Saturday,  September 17, 2011.  The venue turns into a battlefield with competitors arrayed with weaponry starting from shirts to flags, tarpaulins and other props all to support their school. The energy and excitement brought about by the crowd and the performances of the cheerdance groups. This year was my third time watching UAAP cheerdance competition. You can feel the energy better in live. Ang awkward naman magsisisigaw at magcheer sa harap ng tv.  

UP Pep Squad repeats as UAAP Cheerdance champion. Boo! I'm still horribly broken-hearted.  It really turned around a shitty day.

Anyway, I had the courage to approach him. See why I’m blushing?

Standing next to my crush, Adams(current SDT President).. Isn't it a great feeling?  

Isang pag-iisip, Isang gawa, Isang diwa, Malaya.

There are some things that you just can't learn in the classroom. Last August 26-28, 2011, The UST Sociological Society had a three-day, 2-night team building seminar- Samahan: Paglingap sa Pundasyon tungo sa Magandang Lipunan
More than 200 students traveled all the way to Shercon Resort and Ecology Park, Mataasnakahoy, Batangas. 

Had several SLEs well integrated into the curriculum, it's raining cats and dogs, waking up early has never been easy, great facilities, hearty meals, Amazing Race, shirtless Desoubrie (damn), clad in color-coordinated shirts, and the story goes on. So many things had happened along the way.

The Team Building Seminar created a positive and memorable learning experience for intact Sociology students. It takes a solid team to bring out the best in each of its members. This is unique on-your-feet experience because it's a guaranteed eye-opener, where participants experience exactly what it takes for leaders and teams to soar! Filled with great laughs, great insights, and usable ideas! 

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and let off some steam!

"Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." 

-Henry Ford

The core-group members, preparing is really a timetabling exercise where the various tasks are laid out against their deadlines.

Great way to destress after work- swimming in the middle of the night, chatting and clowning.

 

In the initiation rites, they were asked a series of questions, blindfolded, squat, etc.. FYI this is not some kind of fraternity-related violence. It has a deep significance.

The TBS was organized by 4SCL

Achy muscles, so depleted and tired. I hardly have any energy left at all.  The only thing I want to do is eat comfort food, surf the net and watch television until bedtime. My mom took me on a spa day.

Studying Sociology has been good for me in so many ways. Ako ay isang estudyante ng Sosyolohiya, malayang mamayanan ng lipunan.

Roll up, pivot table

Weeks goes by like days. This could partially sum up a little bit of my weekdays (Aug. 15-19) So that's what I decided to do with this post. I’ll start by assuming that you’re all wildly interested in my day-to-day life.

Monday

• We had 4 pages Prelim exam in Sociology of Religion. The exam isn't really that hard however, it requires critical thinking.
• Had an early dismissal in Marriage and Family. Everybody loves Early dismissal.
•  I wrote a script for my pre-defense. 
• Also, Paris Hilton started following me on Twitter and she even favorited all my tweets for her. Weird!

Tuesday

• We had spent the morning shooting for our Social Psych Documentary news. 
• Submitted the Need Assessment matrix for AB Community Development Program.
• It's odd to think Hilary Duff is pregnant it seems like yesterday  when she was in love with Ethan and hanging out with Miranda and Gordo.
• I passed my exams in Demography and Social Change. 
• Sir Nino, I so admire his ability to see into things, which cannot be seen, and reason out understanding of them. His depth of knowledge about any subject so deep and broad. His constructive thinking and the effusions of wit and humour.
• I can barely sleep perhaps I'm overthinking stuff.

 Wednesday 

• short meeting with Dhel at the ABSC office
• Nerve wracking day
• Research presentation/ Pre-defense. Students are given 5 minutes to present their paper. Thesis requires a lot of deep study, practice & revision.
• Will change my theory from Action Theory by Weber to Multi-Cultural theory
• Im glad that's over. I feel so relieved.
• Hello to my new crush, Travis Fleetwood.  Can you really argue that he isn't one of the hottest!

Thursday

• Marc discussed in our class the Pedagogy of the Oppressed by  Paulo Freire. 
• We had no class in Anthro
• We went to Trinoma and had dinner at Taco Bell 
• Bought a gift for my boss
• had only 2 hours of sleep

Friday

• I went back to UN office for my Practicum Evaluation. I miss my office, my colleagues, my desk that I occupy for the last 2 months of my short working career. 
• Had lunch at Mexicali. I love Mexican food. 
• Visited the Yuchengco museum. The glory of the museum and my personal favorite is Suspended Garden. 
• shooting again for Social Psych
• I felt all my energy drained 
• saw my crush at KFC, I can't help but notice his infectious smile

Not much else exciting to say.  It's sometimes fun to see where other spend their days! Till then, Peace guys!

Musing and new venture

Prelims Exam was over last Thursday night  but I still have a lot of work to do. Beginning tomorrow, I would be revising my thesis.  I have a deadline to adhere to. And I believe I would have much more to do the coming weeks (Research presentation, Socio of Rel. 4 pages for Exam, Soc Psy documentary film and Thesis.)  I will be more under stress. It's going to be a very restless sem.  

#Youwouldnotbelievewhathappened. So I went out drinking with a couple of Socio people. I went out two nights ago. It was a flirty, fun drinking session. ( It's got one step crazier!). I got pretty wasted, I felt woozy, extremely sleep and blurry vision but I managed to make it back to my dorm okay.  Oh c’mon! I’m a grown woman, and I’m fairly bloody smart.

Night out at Dinoy's

A night out at JSA then Dinoy's again around 2 am

I’m almost finished with college. One year left. That is it, one year. I can't believe three years have flown by right before my eyes. Exuberantly shouting "I'm a senior college" up to the realization that in one short year, I would no longer be a student. Three years develops amazing stories, hilarious memories and unbelievable adventures and now I faced only one more year of this university life. 

Everything will change. I think that's what scares me the most. What will I become? Where will paths lead me? Who will still be my friends when all is said and done?