A lot happened in 2003. More things than I can ever list down. Gosh... All the experiences... It's astounding how much there is to live out, how you can try to live and LIVE and still there's more. So many things that I never want to forget. I loved 2003. Hopefully I'll love 2004 too.

Highlights of 2003

Country Study. After a month or two of research and creative use of the Thesaurus, I submitted my 20-page paper. My first major paper. Hehe, Bhutan. Never mind that I can barely recall anything about it now...

World Meeting of Families. My first experience being around that huge a group of people. I realized how snobby I really am, and I realized that I had to be more open to different kinds of people. I still regret some things here. I lost a great opportunity to make long-lasting friends. Still... I was able to give my parents a great gift. :) Minor note: I realized that I look like a nerd. I rode the blue FX, and was forever traumatized. First time to leave the house at 5:15 to get to school and come home at 9:00 in the evening.

Third Term of Second Year. I remember when we wrote down all the tasks we needed to finish before the exams on the board, the list went past twenty. It was a bit stressful, but I honestly can't remember any of the past details. All I can recall that it was some of the greatest fun, hanging out with my class barkada, and my barkada. "Dating." Selling cream puffs and cookies. Going through a range of emotions, learning about the reshuffling. The barkada facing a major change. Saying thank-you to a teacher that really made a difference to me.

Icey moving. This affected Icey most (malamang). But everyone felt it too. Everyone in the barkada had to come to terms with an early separation. It was never a big thing when one of us decided to change barkadas, because we're not the possessive group. We would still be friends, and we would still see each other in school. We never let ourselves get depressed over that. But when Icey announced that she would be leaving, it was a shock. Especially for me and Pia. I remember spending the last day of the schoolyear, calling up all of my kabarkadas telling them that both Pam and Icey were leaving. I broke down while talking to Tara, because it was all a lot to take. That was the day that it became official that Icey was leaving. And then on top of that Pam announced that she was leaving too. I felt horrible, because in the kada Pam asked me to tell everyone else, and I was the only one in the kada with Icey when her mom told her that it was final. I remember going out with Chengy and Ina to lunch in Chocolate Kiss. (Can I just remind everyone that both of them were at least an hour late? ;p) I remember going to Pa's house just to bake cookies and cinnamon rolls, and singing on the Magic Mic. I remember Chengy's Advanced Sweet Sixteen. Three cakes and more Magic Mic. I still have the surplus invitations in the front pocket of my schoolbag. Gawd... It fells like another lifetime. But strangely... I'm still not entirely conscious of the fact that she isn't here anymore. What can I say? No matter how hard I try, part of me is really just an escapist.

HANDS. I loved doing something for the graduating class. I guess it was a big thing for me. When I was in fourth grade, everyone in our building seemed to belong to a set. It was when we were the youngest in the building. I knew people in each batch above us, at least by name and face. When I got to high school it was the same set again, except we were all older, and changes seemed so much more final. When the seniors graduated then, it was a big deal for me, because half of the original "set" was gone. I realized that in two years, I would be on stage, crying and singing our graduation song. Minor note: The lyrics of their graduation song were beautiful.

LnK. By far, one of the biggest changes in my life. Hehe, I remember being scared of going to LnK. Scared that teaching might be my vocation and that the summer tutoring program would seal my fate. The LnK orientation is just a big blur to me now. It's funny comparing my first impressions of everyone to how I think of them now. Issa and Ate JenNic were the only ones who made real impressions on me, because Issa was the first person I talked to and Ate JenNic reminded me of Mabi Balangue. Teaching was really a different experience, and while it wasn't at all easy, I know I'm still going to be doing it. I got attached to the tutors too. I love the easy laughter, and friendly camaraderie. I love the friends that I made there, especially the ones I really got to know. When I'm with them, I feel like I have somewhere where I belong, even though the people don't know me that well, nor do I know them that well, I feel like I'm accepted there. I look up to a lot of the tutors. They make me want to be a better person for myself. This is one of the things that helped me grow up last year. LnK made me want to make my own decisions, and made me more mature. I still don't have the guts to argue with my parents over letting me hang out in a group with mixed genders, but I'm coming closer. I got to see a lot of different perspectives in my short time so far as an LnK tutor. I clung to LnK almost desperately at the end of it. I remember crying at the graduation, becaus I didn't want it to be over. I felt like I had nothing to go back to in school. Oh, minor note: I fell in love with the Logbook. :)

Tara and Cara. I got closer to both of them over the summer. Haha, thay can blackmail me anytime they want now. They've seen me in my stupidest, highest moments... Shux. But seriously it was great being a trio. There was always someone to watch out for you. Hehe, protection against issues! People who save the day even though they don't know it! Haha, I will never forget: "Kasama ko si _______, magaling siya sa ______. Ikaw, sinong kasama mo?"

Music. I fell in love with music again. I don't know how I existed without it. OPM rocks! Rock is okay. :) Concerts and gigs rule! :D Haha, you get to see cute guys perform! Hehe, *p****s and **a**** **r****! HAHAHAHAHA!!! I also went back to piano over the summer. I also got a taste of the guitar. I might also have this thing for musicians now... :DD

Study Hall. Maristelle and Mikee spent their summer here, and I got to bond with Maristelle again. I went out to malls a lot. I got to study with Maristelle in Study Hall also. I hope that she gets into the school she wants. Gosh... I really do. Hehe, I didn't see Kelvin this summer. But I had a Xavier Boy who lasted for two weeks. XDD

Bullfrogs. The documentary that changed my life. Vicious. Bullfrogs = Hitler of the Frogs. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Gravitation. By far, the most satisfying anime ever. X)

mrManalo. Haha, yes, I met Mr Manalo. He was my first serious crush. Unforgettable. For the first time, I felt like I was flying with my feet solidly on the ground. I never smiled as much as I did then. It was never so easy to make me so happy. I remember one upsetting day though. Texting him left me curled up in a seat of my cousin's MB, torn between laughing and crying. One of the funnier memories of my insanity. Grabe, "Torete Mode." Haha, I remember one time I actually managed to summon the guts to share him in Cl class as someone I really admired, and I was so proud when Mrs. Borja wrote him down as "principled" - someone worthy of admiration. Haha, I was so happy. Well, sappy as it may sound, he made me happy. I let it go after sometime. But on some days... just sometimes... He manages to make me smile again, and I'm smitten again, at least for another day.

Nanay's and Mommy's 70th Birthday parties. My first time emceeing at a party. It was fun. The first time I really cut loose and danced at a party. The first time I like my make-up. The first time I really liked my dress.

First and Second Terms of Third Year. They weren't lying when they said that third year was the hardest year. This is the first time I ever really felt stressed. But it's rewarding I guess. My grades in the first term haven't been that high since second grade. Iremember hating school, first week off the bat. I was hungover from summer. I didn't have any kabarkadas in my class, nor did I have a buddy to stick to. But it all turned out okay. I like my class now. My teachers aren't so bad. Except for Mrs. Galvez... Oh boy, does she still piss me off... Having Sir Jon for SocSci in the second trim was really fun. I loved being a Swami! Haha, philosophy rules! I can't believe we're getting Mrs. Minoza back in the third term... We're never going to get a well-adjusted education in World History. Sayang... But otherwise, school's been okay. Everyday's another first day of school.

XPerience: Poveda-Xavier Interaction. MEROVINGIAN. Well... Hahahahaha! Talk about stupid. Hehe, at least now I'll have an inside joke with Achi that will last forever. XDD My pen... Oh well, it's a new year. Time to replace old school supplies anyway. :) Seriously... Seeing Element 103 for the first time. Cheering X-A-V-I-E-R. Haha, the BEST scavenger hunt. Earl stealing Mers' cream puff. Ragging about THE class, Spanish class, and Chinese class. Watching the program with Jarryd. Having the BlaSt meeting after. My dad having no clue. Tsss... It's still worth remembering. It's still a highlight. X)

BlaSt. Hahahaha! Making lots of noise! Making JL and Raymond laugh because I never stop talking. Talking loudly and swearing, not kowing there's a Jesuit teacher in the room. Talking to Franco, convincing him to by nocturnal tickets. Seeing "Ibs", and knowing it was "Ibs" without anyone telling me. Being interviewed for documentation by Element 103. "You know there's this Pokemon, it's a pony that's on fire." *conferring* "Ponyta?" It was a blast! :) Probably the most fun I've ever had wit a bunch of Xavierians.

Dude. Haha. It's been a ride, hasn't it? I honestly never thought I'd be 'dudes' with someone. It's so cool. I never want to forget all our conversations, from forming our own linggo ('damefud,''click,' 'elem,' 'diving,' 'Noelle,' etc.) to our interesting topics (mga astig na invention) to our debates (Batman vs. Superman;vanilla-flavored Bread Stix vs. plain Bread Stix to simply helping each other out. Grabe. Swerte ko - di ako friend, dude ako.

Suaves Lechugas, Holy See's. A great class barkada. All the inside jokes. Belonging. Cooking, Baking. Eating. Chocolate. I'll never forget the retreat. :) We rock!

kada. Guys, you're the best and I love you all.

Guadixian Core. The most work I've ever done for a club. I learned a lot. I know that I won't be making a difference here anymore. But I'm still going to stick around, if only to make sure it's still going strong. Riding the blue FX without being traumatized again. Getting my Tarot reading. "Making out" with Steph, Tara, Marla, Mica and Maica. Ranting and raving. We rocked while Hanging A Smile.

IT's About Time: Poveda fair 2003. Our Happy Hour booth! Haha, singing, making teachers sing, making lots of money. Finding out that Sir Jon memorized the Voltes V song. hearing Ms. Guloya sing Eternal Flame. Bugging Ericka and Natz. Going through three costume changes. Hanging out with Yla and Anna and Niann. Charging my phone in Galle. Watching the entire PULSE concert on the first day. Seeing Cara's cousin, his girl friend and cute they were together. Pigging out. ChocNut ice cream. Hanging out with Bobbie. Making peace with Carlo. Seeing tangang-ugok-na-faci and not being recognized. Seeing a lot of my group in the interaction. Seeing Ericka put Troy in a headlock. Hanging out with Jarryd during the second PULSE concert. Not being able to watch Corner Drive. Getting hooked on As Told By Ginger.

Sweet Sixteen. Haah. The worst birthday ever. But it's worth it. :) I'm beautiful, beautiful sixteen now! :)

KNP Cotillion. Numbers. Modeling. Dancing. Raymond Villanueva. Old Gay Men. Barok models. Hanging out. Actually considering liking a younger guy. Hanging out with different people. "So... about Gravitation..." Making more friends. Laughing. Learning the proper way to smile. tripping over dresses. Tripping over my own feet. Getting embarrassed for Chino. Hyperventilating and being calmed down by txt messages. Dancing. Losing my ring without knowing it. Talking til past midnight. Feeling better about prom. Getting hungover without drinking.

Blog. I blogged a whole lot more this year. I needed more release. I went through 5 layouts. Two guestbooks. I'm staying here. My little voice.

My first entry of year! *collapses* Is it obviousI got tired at the end?