qin dynasty

Today we watched the San Jose District elementary investigatory project contest. It was disappointing because I have seen 3-4 studies which were “ripped off” from studies already done before by highschool students in Antique National School.

1. Electrolyte for Wet Cell Battery from Averhoa bilimbi or Kamias Fruit Extract. This was our study in 2002. I clearly remember this because I was the group leader who conducted this study. The only difference was they did not proceed on to stuffing the extract inside the battery.

2. Cement-Bonded Board with Oryza Sativa Straw or Husks (I’m not sure which). This was a study done on 2001, I think, which made it to the Intel National Competition.

3. Chitin from crab shell as pH something something (neutralize) of nata de coco effluent. This was a study by another group in our batch in 2002.

4. Water Hyacinth as water filter. My sister had a research just last year titled bioremediation of water hyacinth for removal of cadmium in water. Something like that.  Their study was a rip off also of another study already conducted in Thailand. I was not able to read the content of the investigatory project but I strongly feel that this one may have a different title but in essence it is a rip off of a ripped off study. We still have the aquariums they used in their study at home.

It is such a shame that this is happening to elementary students. For one, I experienced it in high school that our study was condcuted already years before. I have proof because I have talked to the person who was in the group who conducted the study. Same title, same procedure. He happened to be a brother of a batchmate. Really such a shame that it is happening all over again. And i bet this will happen over and over again.

Plus I did not like the fact that they allowed a study which used crushed coral as a material. Didn’t they know that it is unlawful for anybody to take home let alone crush these corals?! Alas! The honorable board of judges did not even take note of this. They did not even notice. Talk about ignorance. They keep on talking about environment-friendly but they don’t even know the law.

There was this judge who pointed out that why did the students did not conduct or present cost estimate or cost analysis. Haller! That sort of thing was beyond the objective and scope of most of the studies.

Plus I hate the fact that they are insisting that the elementary students should have conducted statistical analysis such as ANOVA or Analysis of Variance. The students don’t even know how to interpret them. These things are not being taught in the school. Plus they don’t even include research as a subject in elementary. What they want the students to do is to pay statisticians to do it. And I think what happened was that it was the teachers and or the parents who did the study. The children just posed in the picture for the sake of documentation. It was quite evident during the question and answer portion. The student don’t know what is really going on in their investigatory project.

Plus it was really sad that in school there are those who do not practice ethics or let alone have a delicadeza. Being acknowledged in one study as an “adviser” or a person who have contributed a lot to the study, then this person should have not participated as a judge. Sad to say even the commitee on the selection of judges don’t mind. I don’t know if they did not really know that this person was involved in the development and the writing of some of the studies, or they just turned blind.

Plus there was this category in which the judges declared no winner as the two entries were not qualified for the category. Hell! I think the judges have no right to say that they are not qualified. The District Screening Committee should be the judge of that and not the invited judges. Plus they could have informed the children earlier that “I am sorry you are not qualified for this contest and therefore you should not present and we would no longer ask you question.” And I think that the disqualification must be based on the merit of the study alone and not including the presentation done later.

And I hate the research attitude in schools here in Antique. It is very narrow minded. There were instances in which the judges insist their own opinion on the study such as you should have used this instead of this because this is typically use. Then what would happen if we only focus on the typical, the already tested. Where is innovation in that? In this kind of attitude we are not fostering learning, innovation, development of knowledge, creation of knowledge. And we are molding mediocre minds that would just parrot things and does not practice critical thinking.

Sad, sad, sad….

Waaahhhhh!

Namimiss ko nang maglaro ng the Sims. I’m currently playing YoVille sa facebook. If not for this game di ako magbubukas ng facebook.

Yoville is like the Sims. It’s interactive pero di siya ganun ka sophisticated as the Sims. For one, you live in an apartment in YoVille unlike sa the SIms na you buy a lot and build your dream house. I remember meron ako dating mansion with infinity pool and dalawang jaguars sa Sims.  Meron dina ko dating Morrocan inspired na house. Meron din minsang fusion ng zen at art nouveau.

Sa YoVille, interior decorating lang nag magagawa mo. Plus hindi mo rin ata mabebenta yung stuffs na nabili mo unlike sa Sims na pwede mong ipagbili pag namulubi ka.

Medyo na fu-frustrate nga ako because YoVille is the closest thing to Sims na pwede kong laruin. Nag crash kasi yung pc na may naka install na Sims. Nasunog yung motherboard. Dito naman sa isang pc, my father had the Sims uninstalled kasi bumabagal yung processes sa pc.

Sa Sims napagdaanan ko na ang lahat ng occupation meron dun. Na reach ko lahat ng top positions for every career. Umabot sa punto na naubos ko na lahat ng career ay naging isang crime kingpin na yung character. =)

If I have my own PC or laptop I will make sure na merong Sims and Adobe Photoshop. Pamatay boredom. =)

Eto senti mode ako while encoding some stuffs. To complete the moment may background music pa. I’m currently listening to Boyz II Men songs: End of the Road, Water Runs Dry, On Bended Knees, and the sexy song I’ll make Love to You…. wala akong mahanap na Oh Well so hindi na siya nasama sa playlist.

Senti mode and nostalgic moment kaya kasama na rin sa playlist ko ang Code Red. (Eeewwww… boyband! skeleton in my closet… I used to like boybands. Yung kakilala ko she literarly has skeleton in her closet. meron siyang poster ni Nick Carter of BSB sa lob ng kanyang closet)… also in my playlist is Code Red’s Can We Talk (a very memorable song), Is there Someone out there, I Could Have Saved your Heart, Everytime you Go Away, I Gave you Everything. Memorable yung Can We Talk kasi I sang it sa isang “beauty/ brain/ talent search”… and to think na sintunado ako of all sintunado. As in good lcuk talaga sa akin nung moment na yun. Nagkamali pa nga ako ng lyrics pero syempre pakapal ng mukha tapos I just laughed it off.

Then para may further emote emote I have Bruce Springsteen Secret Garden with pamatay na lines from Jerry Maguire…”we’re getting married!”, “You had me at hello”, “You complete me”… hay so nakaka in love…

Then there was Ashanti’s Foolish na naging LSS namin nung sister ko way back sa Molave. I love the video with Ja Rule’s “you gotta go home.”

So pagkatapos ng bati moment break up song na naman from Honeyz na End of the Line.

Plus the pang konsensya song ng Fra Lippo Lippi ng Beauty and Madness. For me parang ang poetic ng dating ng song.

I am also currently digging Color Me Badd na version gn Wildflower. My friend Krizzy loves this song. Ngayon parang nakaka relate ako… “sweet and gentle flower going wild(?)” and the “sleep’s the only freedom that she knows”… yung mga ganung lines.

Before I was planning to make a blog about songs that would descibe phases ng life, including songs that are dedicated to some people who are and were part of my life, ko pero nakatamadan ko nang gawin.

I don’t know if its the weather pero parang ang sad ng panahon. Yung parang wala kang gustong gawin is mag mukmok. Namimiss ko tuloy mga sisters ko and ang mga makukulit nilang hirit like:

“Sssshhh even sleeping people have ears.”

“I know I’m a birdin (virgin/ burden).”

“Si rodulph the red nose reindeer ay isang GMO.”

“Hindi kinahanglan nga clone ang isang organism para maging glow in the dark. Ma-insert ka lang DNA na para mag glow in the dark”….”Anong pinag-uusapan niyo?”….”Glow in the dark nga baboy”… “ang sticker?” * yeah! connect ka dyan

…If the time is right daw then we’ve come to the end of the line… so till here na lang muna.

My boyfriend’s fs account was recently used by someone else named larry. I don’t know if that is his name. I think my boyfriend did not properly sign out and left his account open on August 31.

This larry does not practice internet user etiquette and used my boyfriend’s account anyway. Such a lowly creature. Sabi ng boyfriend ko okay lang kasi no harm done naman daw and probably it could be a teenager who used his account. I bet it really was a teenager because he sent me a so pacute message: "eow kumusta na poh kau". How pathetic!

Even if he was a teenager, I still believe that it was totally rude for him to use my boyfriend’s account. Imagine he posted a comment on another so-high-school girl site. That’s when I knew his name was larry as he introduced himself. The nerve of that guy! … and my boyfriend’s name is not larry. The girls even sent a comment to my boyfriend. One was thanking my boyfriend for posting a comment on her page. The other posted comments which were basically videos of girls in their underwear.

Being a teeneager is not an excuse to act uneducated. Larry, who ever you are, PAKIALAMERO ka! Wag lang sana kitang ma-meet and babasagin ko bungo mo.

Just this weekend, my aunt held a cleansing ritual at my grandma’s house. During the ritual each of us were blessed/ prayed for. A sign of the cross was drawn on our foreheads using some liquid (holy water is suppose).

The surano/ manug bulong/ maaram’s revelations about each of us were dead on. It would rock your core. She had revealed things that we would like to keep as secrets. Good thing my parents were not there during the ritual. As in deado talaga ako.

Anyways, on my turn she said to me "Kelangan mong mag decide sino sa dalawa." I thought "Sinong dalwa?" I have only one boyfriend ever since and I have already decided to be with him for the rest of my life. She said, "May isang taong may gusto sa’yo. blah blah blah… ang boy friend mo ngayon hindi siya ang first love mo…. blah blah blah… dahan dahan sa pagsasalita kasi masakit ka magsalita… pero kelangan mong mamili kung sino sa dalawa."

Charot! I am totally perplexed. Anong first love? Sinong first love? For me si Randy ang first and last love ko. I admit in the past na marami akong kinabaliwan na mga lalaki but I don’t think they would qualify as love. Di naman pwedeng i-equate ang crush/ like sa love.

Pero parang exciting din in a sense. Bigla akong napaisip e if meron nga akong person or thing na maituturing na first love. Ano or sino kaya yun? God? Family? My brother and sisters? My make up kit? Career? My Hair? which anyway got permed today (Thank God!)… Hay ang sarap na masakit sa ulo pag-isipan ang ganitong bagay. Parang Suduko na parang crossword puzzle, nag-eenjoy ka mag-isip pero masakit talaga sa ulo.

You’re Beautiful by James Blunt

My life is brilliant.
My love is pure.
I saw an angel.
Of that I’m sure.
She smiled at me on the subway.
She was with another man.
But I won’t lose no sleep on that,
‘Cause I’ve got a plan.

You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.
You’re beautiful, it’s true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don’t know what to do,
‘Cause I’ll never be with you.

Yeah, she caught my eye,
As we walked on by.
She could see from my face that I was,
Fucking high,(Real version)
Flying high,(clean version)
And I don’t think that I’ll see her again,
But we shared a moment that will last till the end.

You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.
You’re beautiful, it’s true.
I saw your face in a crowded place,
And I don’t know what to do,
‘Cause I’ll never be with you.
You’re beautiful. You’re beautiful.
You’re beautiful, it’s true.
There must be an angel with a smile on her face,
When she thought up that I should be with you.
But it’s time to face the truth,
I will never be with you.

——————————————
 You’re Pitiful by Weird Al Yankovic

My life is brilliant…

What, was I too early? Oh, sorry. Should I…Do you wanna start over? Or, keep going?
Okay, now? Now?

My life is brilliant
Your life’s a joke
You’re just pathetic
You’re always broke

Your homemade Star Trek uniform
really ain’t impressin’ me
You’re sufferin’ from delusions of
Adequicy

You’re Pitiful (X3) It’s true

Never had a date
That ya couldn’t inflate
And ya smell repulsive too
What a bummer bein’ you

Well ya just can’t dance
And forget romance
Everybody you know still calls ya
Farty Pants
:
But you always have a job well I mean

As long as you still can work that slurpie machine

You’re Pitiful (X3) It’s true

You’re half undressed
Eatin’ chips of your chest
While you’re playin’ Halo 2
No one’s classier than you

Lalala la
Lalala la
Lalala la Loser

You’re Pitiful (X3) It’s true

Your dog would much rather
Play fetch by itself

You still live with your Mom and you’re 42

Guess you’ll never grow a clue
When it just sucks to be you

—————————————–
Wala lang. Nakakaaliw…

She is freaky. I met this girl when i was applying for work. We were scheduled together on an exam. We talked while waiting. We exchanged numbers just in case we need to ask about the status of our application.

After the application, exam and interview. She texted me asking me whether I got called back. I said yes I was interviewed and was made to answer a profile sheet. Then she said that maybe I got the job because they made me answer those papers. On the other hand, she did not get a call back after the exam. She said to me that "ilibre mo na lang ako pag na hire ka."

A few days later she texted me a quotation something about friendship is not a written promise but a something something based on trust and something. I thought… how nice of her to send me somthing like that.

Then I went to Iloilo because I got a call from another company I applied to online. While there, she texted me if i got a call from the company we both applied for. I said no and said that I am in Iloilo to find work because I don’t want to put my faith on a single application. She said something like this: "bakit di mo sinabi sa akin?"

It really ireked me. Pakialam mo ba?! I am putting effort to find a job. Do you expect me to ask permission from you?! Or maybe you expect me that I will bring you along?! Excuse me?! Did I said something about me being your placement agency?!

But I kept my cool. That night also she asked me my whole name. I gave it to her but omitted my middle name. She asked me how old I am, how many we were in the family and pang ilan ako sa aming magkakapatid. I answered all her question but then she really pushed her luck. She asked me where my older sister is working and how old is she and what is her name. That’s it! I did not answer back. She is freaking me out! It’s as if like she was digging information on me. Scary! I’ve just known her and she was asking too many questions already.

Days later she texted me again like how am I doing… things like that. I did not answer back. As I was not answering back she kept on giving me missed call. One time, I woke up with a messaege and a missed call from her. In her message she said…"punta sana ako sa bahay niyo kaso di ko alam kung saan." Freaky! She could not even wait to be invited. Feeling close na siya ha. Freaky!

As I was not answering back, she sent me the message about that friendship something something again (WTF!) as if reaminding me that I have an obligation as a "friend" to answer her messages. Freaky!

And recently she sent me this "sabi nila walang iwanan pero sa bawat paglipas ng panahon, may umaalis, may nang iiwan, naisip ko lang… etong nagbabasa kaya, hanggang kelan?" (WTF!) This is freaking me out! I did not promise her anything not even being her "friend". There is a huge difference between being friends and being acquaintances. I have just known her and heck I can’t even remember her face anymore and she’s acting like this. And if ever I want a friend, I don’t want an insecure friend. I don’t want a friend who craves for attention that everytime they text me I am obliged to answer back. I want friends who are comfortable with the thought that even I don’t send them tons of sweet messages or letter they could count on me if they are in trouble. And I am not a snob. If I want to be friend with a person I want our friendship to bloom with time hindi yung pinilit mahinog sa kalburo.

Music is like fashion. Trends come and go and then come back again.. with a twist to appeal to the current generation.

Nowadays, many artists just do remakes, revival and cover versions of past’s favorites. See list below:

• Hands to Heaven - orig: Breathe - cover version: Christian Bautista
• I’m Missing You - orig: Meja - cover version: Bea Alonzo (huh? so singer na pala siya?)
• Sway - orig: Dean Martin - cover version: Michael Buble, Pussycat Dolls    (FYI:
  J.Lo in 2004 recorded "Sway" in English and Spanish for the movie Shall
  We Dance? but was replaced by the Pussycat Dolls’ version)

• Home - orig: Michael Buble - cover version: Westlife, Blake Shelton (an American country singer)
• Hard to Say I’m Sorry - orig: Chicago - cover version: Az yet, Westlife
• Total Eclipse of the Heart - orig: Bonnie Tyler - cover version: Westlife a
• Sweet Child of Mine - orig: - Guns N’ Roses (1987) - cover version: Sheryl Crow
• I Love Rock and Roll - orig: the Arrows (1975) - cover version: Britney Spears (2002)
• American Pie - orig: Don McLean (1971) - cover version: Madonna (2000), Tori Amos - parody: Weird Al Yankoviv
• Wonderful Tonight - orig: Eric Clapton (1977) - cover version: Damage (1997), Michael Buble, Babyface (2007)
• Big Yellow Taxi - orig: Joni Mitchel (1970) - cover version: Amy Grant, Counting Crows (2002)
• I Will Survive - orig: Gloria Gaynor (1978) - cover version: Cake (1996)
• Hound Dog - orig: Big Mama Thorton (1953) - cover version: Elvis Presley (1956)
• I am a Man - orig: Spencer Davis Group (1967) - cover version: Chicago (1969)
• Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door - orig: Bob Dylan (1973) - cover version: Guns N’ Roses (1991), Avril Lavin
• Last Kiss - orig: Wayne Cochran (1961) - cover version: Pearl Jam (2003)
• Love Song - orig: The Cure (1989) - cover version: 311 (2004)
• Nothing Compares to You - orig: Prince (1984) - cover version: Sinead O’ Connor (1990)
• Red Red Wine - orig: Neil Diamond (1968) - cover version: UB40 (1984)
• Stand by Me - orig: Ben King (1961) - cove version: John Lenon (1975)
• Wonderwall -  orig: Oasis (1005) - cover version: Ryan Adams (2004)
• You’ve Got a Friend -  orig: Carol King (1971) - cover version: James Taylor (1971)
• Killing Me Softly - orig: Roberta Flack - cover version: The Fugees
• To Love You More - orig: Celine Dion - cover version: Sarah Geronimo
• I Have Nothing - orig: Whitney Houston - cover version: Charice Pempenco, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson
• Against All Odds - orig: Phil Collins - cover version: Mariah Carey, Westlife
• Stay (I Missed You) - orig: Lisa Loeb (1994) - cover version: New found Glory
• Always be my Baby - orig: Mariah Carey - cover version: David Cook
• You’re Still the One - orig: Shania Twain - cover version: New Found glory
• Heaven - orig: Bryan Adams (1985) - cover version: DJ Sammy and Yanou ft. Do

I forgot the other songs. They’re just too many.

Even my favorite Les Fleurs was first released in 1971 during the flower power period and Four Heroes made a cover version for the Bailey’s ad.

I was browsing through my files and I found the picture on the left. This is my first digital artwork way back in college. Gamit ko dito ang Paint. Dati kasi meron fairy wallpaper yung PC namin noon sa dorm. Kaya one time nung ma bore ako…
i tried copying it.

Yung lighting effect sa kamay ng pixie was added later gamit ang Photoshop. Medyo nahihirapan kasi akong mag illustrate ng mga kamay kaya ginagamitan ko na lang ng effects to hide the flaw.

For example, etong vector desktop wallpaper mula sa picture ng sister ko.

Ang kamay ay simpleng outline lamang and wala nang shading and other detais kasi matatakpan rin naman siya. Mabuti na lang at swak yung effect ang yung floral design.

And i added a short poem dedicated to my sister Phoebe - the moon goddess, which is the title of the short poem.

Later I added other details dun sa pixie such as yung background and yung transparency for more ethereal effect. This is my early experiment on Photoshop. Di pa ako marunong ng vector noon.