low grades... ugh...
Hell of a non-academic kind. On Wednesday, I have to teleport from UPCM to my home for an online meeting. Of course, I wouldn't be having this kind of problem if upmnet will be allowing Skype.
Friday will be the most horrifying day where I have to rehearse at 12AM, trans for the morning lecture and then perform three times (2 dances and 1 song) then on Saturday I have to go teach my chem tutee in order to have money to spend for the Christmas celebrations. Then I have to study for two exams the following week.
And something important will probably pop up and I'll even have more stuff to cram into my self.
Have I mentioned I already lost the weight I gained last sembreak? I already see my too prominent cheekbones making me look more skull like than ever.
Through all this personal mess, I find myself less attached to social issues such as the Maguindanao massacre, injustice to the LGBT community and the presidential race.
And I've just heard a retired professor on a religious radio talk show (not that the nature of the program is to blame... or maybe it is?) about how climate change is caused by water vapor, changes in sun radiation and other non-carbon factors. Really irresponsible and unethical for that professor. You've not been teaching for 9 years and probably hasn't kept with the times (or you follow some dubious sources). Regarding fields where you are not or no longer an expert, please shut up or provide a disclaimer at the very least. Last thing the Philippines need is the emergence of a climate change skeptic community. Fortunately, we are at the mercy of climate change and the skeptics would really have a hard time convincing people not to worry and just accept what is happening.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The comments on a certain PhilStar Article makes me want to vomit. How come there are still people who think that being part of the LGBT is a mental disease? How can they not see the LGBT as a legitimate marginalized sector in our society? Actually, the LGBT is one of the best examples of a marginalized sector needing dire representation.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
It is true that the State (actually, everybody) should protect the youth from moral and spiritual degradation.
As such we have the minimum drinking age law, laws that prevent them from being jailed and institutions that offer counseling to victims of abuse to prevent a downhill spiral to becoming sociopaths. The COMELEC, however; seems to have forgotten to check the definition of the words "moral" and "spiritual." They should realize that moral, spiritual and religious are not synonyms. Nor is it right (in every sense of the word) to use Catholic and Islamic doctrine to justify their claim that LGBTs can cause moral degradation. The scientist in me is shouting that they should have atleast cited a study wherein children raised by homosexual couples are more immoral (or atleast exhibit deviant behavior) than conventionally raised children. They could also show that schools who accept LGBT teachers have higher rates of juvenile delinquency. Raising the Bible and Qu'ran just doesn't cut it. They may offend you but that doesn't mean it is immoral. Bad breath is offensive but it is certainly not immoral. And they shouldn't even dare to claim the homosexuality is a transmittable disease because its not. It is not a disease period.
Returning to morality and spirituality, the government being a secular institution (we are not in the Unitied Catholic and Muslim States of the Philippines, right?) should use secular ethics and principles or at the very least use it in adjunct to their arguments citing dominant religious ethics. They should allow for an environment where the youth are allowed to make their own decisions. They shouldn't be an environment censored and controlled by the ruling class. The COMELEC has no right to impose their beliefs on everyone especially if those beliefs can only be supported using supernatural beings and religious texts.
Let us expand their argument a bit to LGBTs are harmful to the youth. As far as the current evidence shows, LGBTs are not a separate human species which can carry but not be harmed by diseases that can kill the youth. They are equally capable of gaining and sharing skills and knowledge. They are equally capable of contributing to society. Nor are they the sole carriers of the sins of society such as alcoholism and polygamous relationships because straight people are capable of those things and may even exhibit them at proportions greater than the LGBT. It bothers me that the only harm I could think of is the nauseated feeling some homophobic people get from seeing LGBT couples... wait, seeing LGBT people just breathing make them sick. Unless this brand of nausea has caused massive deaths and disabilities or calamities the level of Ondoy, I see no reason to mark the LGBT as a harmful agent (in terms of health and morals) to society thus the youth shouldn't even be protected from them.
As such we have the minimum drinking age law, laws that prevent them from being jailed and institutions that offer counseling to victims of abuse to prevent a downhill spiral to becoming sociopaths. The COMELEC, however; seems to have forgotten to check the definition of the words "moral" and "spiritual." They should realize that moral, spiritual and religious are not synonyms. Nor is it right (in every sense of the word) to use Catholic and Islamic doctrine to justify their claim that LGBTs can cause moral degradation. The scientist in me is shouting that they should have atleast cited a study wherein children raised by homosexual couples are more immoral (or atleast exhibit deviant behavior) than conventionally raised children. They could also show that schools who accept LGBT teachers have higher rates of juvenile delinquency. Raising the Bible and Qu'ran just doesn't cut it. They may offend you but that doesn't mean it is immoral. Bad breath is offensive but it is certainly not immoral. And they shouldn't even dare to claim the homosexuality is a transmittable disease because its not. It is not a disease period.
Returning to morality and spirituality, the government being a secular institution (we are not in the Unitied Catholic and Muslim States of the Philippines, right?) should use secular ethics and principles or at the very least use it in adjunct to their arguments citing dominant religious ethics. They should allow for an environment where the youth are allowed to make their own decisions. They shouldn't be an environment censored and controlled by the ruling class. The COMELEC has no right to impose their beliefs on everyone especially if those beliefs can only be supported using supernatural beings and religious texts.
Let us expand their argument a bit to LGBTs are harmful to the youth. As far as the current evidence shows, LGBTs are not a separate human species which can carry but not be harmed by diseases that can kill the youth. They are equally capable of gaining and sharing skills and knowledge. They are equally capable of contributing to society. Nor are they the sole carriers of the sins of society such as alcoholism and polygamous relationships because straight people are capable of those things and may even exhibit them at proportions greater than the LGBT. It bothers me that the only harm I could think of is the nauseated feeling some homophobic people get from seeing LGBT couples... wait, seeing LGBT people just breathing make them sick. Unless this brand of nausea has caused massive deaths and disabilities or calamities the level of Ondoy, I see no reason to mark the LGBT as a harmful agent (in terms of health and morals) to society thus the youth shouldn't even be protected from them.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
My parents "accidentally" printed a whole CD of pictures... bad pictures... bad pictures taken by my brother. Think how much that cost! Money wasted just because they can't follow my very simple and clear instructions. Now whenever I look at our pictures from japan, I'll remember this shitload of a mess. I feel angry again.
On the other hand, I finally found evidence that foodies and people at the cooking network are full of BS regarding food. Buy local! Buy freaking local! Like that'll save the world. I was always wondering how efficient it is to transport one crate of tomatoes over a few miles versus a thousand crates over thousands of miles. And shudder at how they romanticize the life of farmers, they should really try going to developing countries and ask farmers how "wonderful" their lives are. NGC also has fault with their food lovers guide to the world series by trying to promote the organic and local only movements. Blegh... ideology over reason. People being brainwashed to buy goods grown the natural way and shunning over processed foods. For that matter, what is the meaning of over processed? Of course, in the environmental sense, consuming foods with less carbon input is indeed better but you have to look at the whole picture. Maybe freezing foods or turning them into long shelf life forms are more efficient than selling them in their original state. Maybe country X needs this fruit grown in country Y. So I'm ranting... I also feel that the local foods only movement is a way of oppressing the agricultural countries whose economies rely on a strong international market.
On the other hand, I finally found evidence that foodies and people at the cooking network are full of BS regarding food. Buy local! Buy freaking local! Like that'll save the world. I was always wondering how efficient it is to transport one crate of tomatoes over a few miles versus a thousand crates over thousands of miles. And shudder at how they romanticize the life of farmers, they should really try going to developing countries and ask farmers how "wonderful" their lives are. NGC also has fault with their food lovers guide to the world series by trying to promote the organic and local only movements. Blegh... ideology over reason. People being brainwashed to buy goods grown the natural way and shunning over processed foods. For that matter, what is the meaning of over processed? Of course, in the environmental sense, consuming foods with less carbon input is indeed better but you have to look at the whole picture. Maybe freezing foods or turning them into long shelf life forms are more efficient than selling them in their original state. Maybe country X needs this fruit grown in country Y. So I'm ranting... I also feel that the local foods only movement is a way of oppressing the agricultural countries whose economies rely on a strong international market.
Friday, October 30, 2009
My first week of vacation is almost finished.
I don't feel like returning to med school just yet. Weeks which do not end in exams are nice.
We're supposed to be experiencing a typhoon right now but it has been awfully quiet. I hope I'm not jinxing it or anything. I probably won't survive tomorrow if there's no internet. Well, I'm exaggerating really; I have my med books.
I don't feel like returning to med school just yet. Weeks which do not end in exams are nice.
We're supposed to be experiencing a typhoon right now but it has been awfully quiet. I hope I'm not jinxing it or anything. I probably won't survive tomorrow if there's no internet. Well, I'm exaggerating really; I have my med books.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
I have never supported Chiz. There's just something about him that reeks of evilness. Similar to the feeling I get from Erap actually.
"Ang partido lamang dapat niya ay Pilipinas at ang kanyang mga kapartido ay lahat ng Pilipino." - Chiz
Uh... you can't do that. A party is a group of people with similar stances on key issues. It exists to form a strong and unified voice on a certain issue. Forming a single unified stand on issues is impossible for this nation. For example, you cannot have a party of secular Filipinos with very religious Filipino Catholics. That party will never be able to form a decision regarding key issues such as population control and management. You can't please everyone. In the first place, who gave you the right to do that? I for one don't want you in my party (if I would ever have one).He also leaves a party of Filipinos to join a party which has all Filipinos as members. I feel a disturbance in the Force.
"Para po sa akin, hindi dapat idikta ng isang partido ang gagawin ng sino mang tatakbo. Dahil kung ganoon, papaano niya mapapanagot ang mga tiwali sa gobyerno kung ito ay kagrupo o kasama niya?" - Cheeze
There's a thing we call leadership where you encourage your party to agree with your beliefs and make them follow you not the other way around. If you think your being a mere puppet of your party then you're probably not qualified to be the president. And are you saying that there are corrupt individuals in your party? Then why are you leaving it? Aren't you supposed to be doing the opposite, forcing those corrupt people to leave? Returning to your previous statement, you say you want a party of all Filipinos but you don't want corrupt people and clearly, there are no corrupt Filipinos in the world.
Besides why should we support a candidate with no party backing him or her. That president would be a cripple and be at the mercy of a Congress that would antagonize his every move. For all of GMA's faults, she and her party were very successful in securing power and that is what every presidentiable should aspire to mimic. It makes the development process much faster. (Granted, the minority should still exist just not too the point where voting for laws always end up in deadlocks.)
"Ang partido lamang dapat niya ay Pilipinas at ang kanyang mga kapartido ay lahat ng Pilipino." - Chiz
Uh... you can't do that. A party is a group of people with similar stances on key issues. It exists to form a strong and unified voice on a certain issue. Forming a single unified stand on issues is impossible for this nation. For example, you cannot have a party of secular Filipinos with very religious Filipino Catholics. That party will never be able to form a decision regarding key issues such as population control and management. You can't please everyone. In the first place, who gave you the right to do that? I for one don't want you in my party (if I would ever have one).He also leaves a party of Filipinos to join a party which has all Filipinos as members. I feel a disturbance in the Force.
"Para po sa akin, hindi dapat idikta ng isang partido ang gagawin ng sino mang tatakbo. Dahil kung ganoon, papaano niya mapapanagot ang mga tiwali sa gobyerno kung ito ay kagrupo o kasama niya?" - Cheeze
There's a thing we call leadership where you encourage your party to agree with your beliefs and make them follow you not the other way around. If you think your being a mere puppet of your party then you're probably not qualified to be the president. And are you saying that there are corrupt individuals in your party? Then why are you leaving it? Aren't you supposed to be doing the opposite, forcing those corrupt people to leave? Returning to your previous statement, you say you want a party of all Filipinos but you don't want corrupt people and clearly, there are no corrupt Filipinos in the world.
Besides why should we support a candidate with no party backing him or her. That president would be a cripple and be at the mercy of a Congress that would antagonize his every move. For all of GMA's faults, she and her party were very successful in securing power and that is what every presidentiable should aspire to mimic. It makes the development process much faster. (Granted, the minority should still exist just not too the point where voting for laws always end up in deadlocks.)
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
We had to set our own personal objectives during our first subject in med school. So far, I have only one thing left to accomplish and I'm just too lazy to do that. Well not really, the meet-ups take place in a place too far from home. Besides, I can only tolerate a certain amount of pomp and intellect in a day.
Well, I did attend a similar meeting today. Unfortunately, it was a waste of my time and money. The only good thing I've got from the thing is that I was finally able to buy the novel Tutubi tutubi... by Jun Cruz Reyes.
And I finally got a tutoring job. I don't know if it's going to be permanent though because med school manages to find ways to drain ones will to impart knowledge. And I have made my Saturdays sacred days of rest, recollection and general bumming around (and I'm still agnostic so don't get your hopes up).
Due to my sudden employment and a host of organization (again?!) related activities, I haven't been able to enjoy my sem break yet. For the first few days, I was actually at a lost of what I will do. Nothing to study but so many things to worry about.
I'm hoping to maintain my sanity in med school. Wait... I will remain sane. Of course, people already view me as demented and emotionally broken so that's not much of a resolution.
Going to bed (but it's only 9:30! Shock! Gasp!) now.
And, I'm starting to plan our family summer vacation. We'll be "turistang Pinoy" again. Hopefully, my parents will agree to go to Palawan. But I still have to work out my organization summer immersions schedule first.
Well, I did attend a similar meeting today. Unfortunately, it was a waste of my time and money. The only good thing I've got from the thing is that I was finally able to buy the novel Tutubi tutubi... by Jun Cruz Reyes.
And I finally got a tutoring job. I don't know if it's going to be permanent though because med school manages to find ways to drain ones will to impart knowledge. And I have made my Saturdays sacred days of rest, recollection and general bumming around (and I'm still agnostic so don't get your hopes up).
Due to my sudden employment and a host of organization (again?!) related activities, I haven't been able to enjoy my sem break yet. For the first few days, I was actually at a lost of what I will do. Nothing to study but so many things to worry about.
I'm hoping to maintain my sanity in med school. Wait... I will remain sane. Of course, people already view me as demented and emotionally broken so that's not much of a resolution.
Going to bed (but it's only 9:30! Shock! Gasp!) now.
And, I'm starting to plan our family summer vacation. We'll be "turistang Pinoy" again. Hopefully, my parents will agree to go to Palawan. But I still have to work out my organization summer immersions schedule first.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Yesterday was such a long day.
Morning was the Biochemistry/Immunology/Molecular Biology/Physiology exam.
It left us tired but it wasn't over yet.
We still had ward work and most of us felt the need to crack open a few transes.
Our group came early. We finished performing the neuro exam but our consultant didn't arrive until much later. So we loafed around.
While other groups are happily leaving the wards.
She finally came, ward work ended and off I went to the Mooncake party hosted by UP Meridian.
And no I am not a member of this org.
Did end up helping a bit though.
We ate, talked and fell in line for the Dice game.
So that's the last day of classes for me. Next week will just be exams, more exams and a proposal waiting to be finished and bound.
And blogger is finally fixed.
Morning was the Biochemistry/Immunology/Molecular Biology/Physiology exam.
It left us tired but it wasn't over yet.
And blogger is finally fixed.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Blogger is still messed up. If this doesn't resolve I might have to move.
Taking tests for stuff you know you know enough sucks. Seeing the scores suck even more.
I'm really eager for the end of this semester. But sem break is starting to sound less of a break and more of time spent catching up on stuff I need to do.
Taking tests for stuff you know you know enough sucks. Seeing the scores suck even more.
I'm really eager for the end of this semester. But sem break is starting to sound less of a break and more of time spent catching up on stuff I need to do.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Two of the mangas I follow just ended.
I really don't mind Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles ending because it's giving me a headache but Nodame Cantabile!
Why? This sucks... I'm sad. The ending was really nice but it's just so unexpected. *sigh* Nodame hasn't even performed a real concerto with Chiaki. Aargh...
Okay, I'm pathetic.
I really don't mind Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles ending because it's giving me a headache but Nodame Cantabile!
Why? This sucks... I'm sad. The ending was really nice but it's just so unexpected. *sigh* Nodame hasn't even performed a real concerto with Chiaki. Aargh...
Okay, I'm pathetic.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thursday, October 08, 2009
I've been reading a lot.
but I am Deprived of the pleasures of reading.
Reading for pleasure. I miss you so.
It's not helping that I have to pass through National Bookstore everytime I go inside Robinson's.
It's not helping that the shelves have recently been restocked with new titles, new editions and oh so pretty book covers (yes, I'm shallow...)
I need to drown myself in new novels this sembreak.
but I am Deprived of the pleasures of reading.
Reading for pleasure. I miss you so.
It's not helping that I have to pass through National Bookstore everytime I go inside Robinson's.
It's not helping that the shelves have recently been restocked with new titles, new editions and oh so pretty book covers (yes, I'm shallow...)
I need to drown myself in new novels this sembreak.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
School will start again on Monday. My attempt to finish our proposal failed due to uncooperative groupmates. Some had valid reasons, others I don't know... I think they're just being irresponsible (would it kill them to reply to my text message?).
On the other hand, I spent too days helping out in the UPM relief efforts although I didn't participate in the distribution and med missions. I'm still a med mission virgin. Yes! Judging from the stories from other people, the med missions didn't just serve to meet the health consequences of Ondoy. They provided means for people who have no money or time to consult a health professional regarding their diseases. It was a bit funny (I'm twisted, ok?) to hear that one of the leading morbidities in a med mission was hypertension. Hypertension. Disasters don't result in hypertension. A single butter-laden meal doesn't cause hypertension. Funny, right? Just shows how poor the health system is in encouraging people to get their yearly check-up or at least visit the health center for illnesses (granted, HPN can be asymptomatic).
Also, Red Cross can be sexist. They have this policy of excluding females from tasks which involve carrying heavy objects such as sacks of rice. How they could be so backward is beyond me but then again, it is a Filipino-run organization so maybe. Doesn't erase the fact that it is a stupid policy. I really don't want to hear that lame argument of males being stronger than females. Individual females may be incapable of carrying a sack of rice but there is nothing that will prevent them from working together or using machines (wheels, levers, etc), right?
---
I also went skating last Friday. It was really nice to have a nearly empty rink. It was cold. There was a mist. And you could go faster and do more things without worrying about hurting someone. I should do it again but I have to come on a weekday though.
On the other hand, I spent too days helping out in the UPM relief efforts although I didn't participate in the distribution and med missions. I'm still a med mission virgin. Yes! Judging from the stories from other people, the med missions didn't just serve to meet the health consequences of Ondoy. They provided means for people who have no money or time to consult a health professional regarding their diseases. It was a bit funny (I'm twisted, ok?) to hear that one of the leading morbidities in a med mission was hypertension. Hypertension. Disasters don't result in hypertension. A single butter-laden meal doesn't cause hypertension. Funny, right? Just shows how poor the health system is in encouraging people to get their yearly check-up or at least visit the health center for illnesses (granted, HPN can be asymptomatic).
Also, Red Cross can be sexist. They have this policy of excluding females from tasks which involve carrying heavy objects such as sacks of rice. How they could be so backward is beyond me but then again, it is a Filipino-run organization so maybe. Doesn't erase the fact that it is a stupid policy. I really don't want to hear that lame argument of males being stronger than females. Individual females may be incapable of carrying a sack of rice but there is nothing that will prevent them from working together or using machines (wheels, levers, etc), right?
---
I also went skating last Friday. It was really nice to have a nearly empty rink. It was cold. There was a mist. And you could go faster and do more things without worrying about hurting someone. I should do it again but I have to come on a weekday though.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Spent a good part of the day repacking stuff and will probably be doing that again tomorrow due to the whole week suspension of classes in UPM.
There were too many people for the available tasks. When a shipment of stuff appears, it takes less than 30mins to repack all of it. People who volunteered for Red Cross say there's also a surplus of volunteers. Methinks a volunteer network/sign up tool should be created, at least for UPM. I know there's Pahinungod and virtually every College has the SC and an org for this kind of thing but there's this issue of coordination and resource (in this case, volunteers) allocation. How many and what kind of people (skills, experience, preferences) should be deployed to volunteering sites such as repacking areas, Red Cross/Crescent chapters, whatnot are things the coordinators would be tackling. I'm all about efficiency and maximizing the use of the volunteers' skill set. Besides, the time we spend waiting for new stuff to arrive could be spent in other ways.
I am truly amazed at the level of mobilization in the NCR right now. Milenyo and the other storms didn't generate this level of concern and activity. I don't know if this is the effect of direct damage in the NCR(literally every NCR resident was a victim or was close to someone who was a victim of Ondoy), the high coverage of the media or finally a tangible effect of all those "hip" commercialist nationalistic drives featuring fashionable accessories, shirts and whatnot (in fairness to those efforts, "pirated" versions of their merchandise has become widely available).
Facebook or multiply groups with sign-up applications. Mobile and SMS technology could also be used. Maybe I should suggest it to our formations committee.
---
In the meantime, I've stopped studying for exams and resumed watching series online. Yey early sembreak. Too bad we have tests and a proposal to look forward to the next weeks.
There were too many people for the available tasks. When a shipment of stuff appears, it takes less than 30mins to repack all of it. People who volunteered for Red Cross say there's also a surplus of volunteers. Methinks a volunteer network/sign up tool should be created, at least for UPM. I know there's Pahinungod and virtually every College has the SC and an org for this kind of thing but there's this issue of coordination and resource (in this case, volunteers) allocation. How many and what kind of people (skills, experience, preferences) should be deployed to volunteering sites such as repacking areas, Red Cross/Crescent chapters, whatnot are things the coordinators would be tackling. I'm all about efficiency and maximizing the use of the volunteers' skill set. Besides, the time we spend waiting for new stuff to arrive could be spent in other ways.
I am truly amazed at the level of mobilization in the NCR right now. Milenyo and the other storms didn't generate this level of concern and activity. I don't know if this is the effect of direct damage in the NCR(literally every NCR resident was a victim or was close to someone who was a victim of Ondoy), the high coverage of the media or finally a tangible effect of all those "hip" commercialist nationalistic drives featuring fashionable accessories, shirts and whatnot (in fairness to those efforts, "pirated" versions of their merchandise has become widely available).
Facebook or multiply groups with sign-up applications. Mobile and SMS technology could also be used. Maybe I should suggest it to our formations committee.
---
In the meantime, I've stopped studying for exams and resumed watching series online. Yey early sembreak. Too bad we have tests and a proposal to look forward to the next weeks.
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