Marc Aldrich Gopal. 22. Novena, Singapore. Filipino. Proctoid. Wanderlust-y. Leo. Atenean. O-C. Sleepyhead. Anti-mediocrity.
Potterite. Pet Fanatic. Acquired Taste. Lives life. Loves life.
You think you know but you have no idea.
Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma- living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.
Everything else is secondary.
I don't usually watch movies in Singapore - primarily because they're like 4x what I would usually pay for movies in Manila, but also because I can usually wait until I go back and get another stash of pirated ones anyway. haha
But this time, I watched (500) Days of Summer in Cathay Ang Mo Kio - and managed to convince other folks from the office to come watch it with me. IMDB ratings were relatively high, and well, we all needed something "light" to end the week - and there we were in Ang Mo Kio - barely in time for the movie (after playing one round of Catan haha)
I don't want to spoil anyone. At the end of the day, the trailer for the film was quite clear, this wasn't a love story. It was definitely so much more. And it definitely delivered, oh yes, I got the "light, romantic comedy" fix that I needed - and there some laugh-out-loud moments too.
After all that, all I can say is that do watch this film - I'm not even going to give more details. Just do - it's light, it's funny but its provocative at the same time. And this movie is proof that you don't need special effects or multi-million dollar budgets to have a movie worth seeing in cinemas.
Just see it, and you'll thank me later for the recommendation.
God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.
Attributed to theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, this prayer was then adopted by AA and other twelve-step programs. This is the prayer I like best.
Living one day at a time; Enjoying one moment at a time; Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; Taking, as He did, this sinful world As it is, not as I would have it; Trusting that He will make all things right If I surrender to His Will; So that I may be reasonably happy in this life And supremely happy with Him Forever and ever in the next.
Sometimes we forget just how beautiful the english language is. (^_^)
Hearing: Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone Watching: Rachel Getting Married Feelin' hopeful.
Loyola Schools have no Final Exams Posted at 08:26 PM in Life as I Know It
Here's a memo from the the the Vice President of the Ateneo Loyola Schols - formally announcing that there won't be any final exams for the first semester. Grabe, I never expected this to happen, ever! I've only read about this happening in Harry Potter! It's just sad that this had to happen all after Ondoy.
MEMO TO: The Loyola Schools Community FROM : Ma. Assunta C. Cuyegkeng Vice President for the Loyola Schools
SUBJECT: After Ondoy
For the past days, we have been hearing stories of loss and devastation experienced by many members of our community. We share in their grief and hope to share, too, in the rebuilding. This aftermath of Ondoy challenges the University?s traditional learning environment; however, it allows us to learn and grow in different ways. Thus, the Deans, Associate Deans, representatives of various sectors, and I have agreed on the following:
1. Unless otherwise announced by CHED, Malacañan, or the Quezon City government, classes will continue until 21 October 2009, but there will be no final exams.
a.The basis of the final grade will be the current class standing of the student. b.If a student wishes to raise his/her grade, s/he will have the option of taking the final exam or fulfilling an equivalent requirement. The deadline for completing INC or NE may be extended.
2.Classes can be used to deal with the aftermath of Ondoy, e.g., apply knowledge, skill sets, and values to understanding and managing disaster, rebuilding and rehabilitation of communities, or organizing and implementing support systems.
3.We are encouraging everyone to assist affected members of our community by volunteering and assisting in any of the following activities:
a.Collection and distribution of relief goods (c/o Ms. Mary Ann P. Manapat, Director of the Office for Social Concern and Involvement, loc. 5090, 5091, direct line: 426-1017, mmanapat@ateneo.edu)
b.Debriefingand counseling assistance (c/o Dr. Edna C. Franco, Chair of the Department of Psychology, loc. 5260, 5262, efranco@ateneo.edu)
c. Accommodationor service assistance to affected members of the LS community (e.g., community/house clean-up, food preparation, laundry, repairs, transport, babysitting, sharing IT and learning resources, etc.) (c/o Ms. Marie Joy R. Salita, Director of the Office of Administrative Services, loc. 5100-5103, msalita@ateneo.edu)
d. Medicaland health assistance (c/o Dr. Raymundo S. Baquiran, Director of the Office of Health Services, loc. 5110, 5106, lshealth@admu.edu.ph)
4. Wewould like to get updates on members of our community who have not been accounted for. You may contact Sanggu (0928 348 1686), Office of the ADSA (0920 914 2372), or Office of the VPLS (0928 503 1248).
I wish to thank all those who have given time, resources and service to our relief operations and look forward to your involvement in the difficult period of rehabilitation.
Hearing: Whitney Houston - Million Dollar Bill Feelin' calm.
Last September 26, 2009, Saturday, Metro Manila was hit by a tropical storm which dumped more than a month's average rainfall in just 6 hours. This resulted in the worst floods the past 20 years in communities of Metro Manila and provinces in Northern Philippines.
Its a good thing my immediate family lives in Quezon City. But some of our relatives were not spared and had to evacuate their houses in Marikina. It's just hard to believe that during these times that mankind has achieved so much in the fields of science and technology that God still finds ways to bring humility to all of us.
To be honest, I'd rather that this typhoon didn't come. But it did. And what matters now, is what we do after. Yes, life does go on. And it's what we do after tragedies like these that determine what kind of people we become.
For those in Singapore: The Filipino Association in Singapore (FAS) also announced that it is accepting donations in kind for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. Donations may be dropped off at:
A-Freight Cargo 304 Orchard Road #03-19 Lucky Plaza Singapore 238863
For those in the Philippines: The easiest way to do it is via Globe/SMART SMS to Red Cross - Type RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899(Globe) or 4483(Smart). Watch out for other means to help out via TV and Radio stations.
It started with a call and ended with me having a Singapore F1 Padang Grandstand Ticket! I just checked online and they cost around $600. Damn. I still can't believe it! haha I mean, I don't follow F1 Racing - the most I know and care about cars are just the one that I drive, and I barely know much about it. haha But, it's the friggin Grand Prix, and it was given for free! Definitely, I was in.
The original plan was to watch the F1 race at one of the Japanese ABM's condos. Yep, he lives near Raffles Place MRT (the Sail @ Raffles Place) and planned his housewarming party to include a view of the F1 race 44 floors above. Seeing his place was kinda depressing especially when I compare it to mine. The lobby was better than some five star hotels I've been to. Whereas I on the other hand don't even have a lobby! haha But it was all good - there were so many people who came to the party. It's just so much fun when Haircare people meet up outside of work! And it's so much more fun when people actually get drunk! And this time, there are pictures! *ahem*
Anyway, I had to leave at around 9:50 to ride an MRT to City Hall and go to the grandstand. To be completely honest, I'm a novice at this. Yup, completely unaware of the racing world. And there I was, in a friggin' grandstand alongside people who were smart enough to bring/purchase ear plugs. Yup, cars going that fast do make a lot of noise! And I felt the passion. Yep, it wasn't in me yet, but it was all around. It was exhilirating. I even saw one car hit the side of the wall and ended up with twisted wheels. Damn! That's something you don't see everyday.
Here's a picture of the view from the Grandstand. Forgive the quality - now that I lost my camera, I'm stuck with using my camera phone instead. Boo! But nevertheless, being there was pure energy!
And the thing is, there's just so many people who really enjoy F1. It was a culture unto its own. They bring their children, there are official merchandise - and there I was, completely new to all of this. Who would have thought that I would ever be in an F1 grandstand? Well, been there and done that baby! Add that to the list of stuff that I thought I'd never do, but did anyway. haha
It's been a while since I typed a decent, non-Wanderlust entry. Yes, this won't be another Wanderlust entry, but I can't guarantee that it'll be decent. I'll try, haha! For the past three weeks, my ABM friends introduced me to a new addiction. It's a game of trade, of expansion, negotiations, strategy and to a certain level, luck. We even spent the early parts of last night playing it. It's called the Settlers of Catan. Nope, it isn't a video game. It's a friggin boardgame. Yes, imagine a bunch of twenty somethings playing a boardgame on a Friday night. Yes, it's a boardgame, but it's so much more! haha Medyo steep ang learning curve, but I think I'm getting the hang of it. I'm actually considering getting a set of my own - and the expansion sets as well! haha A bit pricey though given that they're sold in SG only in selected/niche shops.
After that, we went to an officemate's birthday party. We came a bit late (think 3 hours after the party started) - staying true to the Filipino time stereotype. And boy the crowd was mixed. haha It's truly amazing how staying in Singapore can expose you to so many kinds of people, cultures and nationalities. Nevertheless, the Pinoys were well represented - more than fair share! haha And I finally got to meet Alicia - Nikolai's friend from ASU who now works here in Singapore. Small world Indeed!
After a while, the neighbors complained about the noise and the music. They eventually called the cops (boo!) on us and well, that ended phase 1. Most of the people continued the party in Butter Factory. But Phase 2 for us was in Clark Quay. We went to this club - I can't even remember what the name is - it's in front of the "Central" sign. haha And danced with friends from work. haha Crazy, crazy dancing - with champagne celebrating Hara-san's promotion. O di ba, after breaking 3 ribs a month ago, I'm back to the dance floor. haha
It was fun for a couple of hours. Sobrang everyone was just letting loose and letting go of the stress. And then, at around mga 3 AM, I suddenly felt tired - after all, I haven't fully recovered from my jet ski injury. And while I was sitting in one of the couches, I suddenly realized one thing. Parang after all this time, a lot of things have changed. My financial situation for one. My semblance of a career as well.
Kaso at the end of the day, mag-isa pa din ako. It felt weird that surrounded by a sea of people dancing the night away - including my beloved friends from work, I felt so alone. Crap, so that's what happens after three Vodka Cranberries and a couple of glasses of Champagne. *sigh* Minsan masaya din naman maging single eh. May mga moments lang talagang ganito. Hindi maiiwasan - parang ulan na kailangan mo lang antaying tumila. Tatlong taon na ding pabalik-balik yang ulan na yan. Kelan kaya ako ulit makakahanap ng payong...
Anyway, there. I didn't intend to go all senti like that. but well, there you go. And oh, i lost my camera last night. I forgot my camera in the cab we rode to the party. It's got all of my pictures from Bali and Bangkok. Crap. Not to mention that the next IT fair is still in November.
I reread my last entry and that was a very bitter Aldrich talking. After all this time, I just realized that it was all a step backward. You see - at the very heart of it, I was disappointed. And the funny thing about disappointment is that we set ourselves up for it. Oh yes. Disappointment comes from something not meeting our expectations. There it is - we can't control the thing around us, but we definitely have control of our expectations.
And after all this time - I still have yet to fully learn that as much as I claim I have control of my life and how I've got it all planned, the past 5 years have shown that some of the things in my life are beyond my control. Did I ever expect nor plan to finish a Management Economics degree? Did I ever see myself doing marketing? Did I ever plan to work in Singapore? No. No. No. No. And yet here I am. If that's not proof of this point, then I don't know what is.
With this realization, I'm more peaceful. Yes, get down, get through, get over.
Next time, I guess I won't expect much. That's just setting up myself for another round of bitterness. And God knows nobody wants that. Underexpect and overdeliver. Yep, expectation management is the next big prozac. haha!
Hearing: Kelly Clarkson - Already Gone Feelin' peaceful.
