. ..is almost over!

Whattuuup! I finished three of my classes already, two more to go. I’m not really stressing on my last finals. .. I just have to study and get through them. So last weekend, I went on a mini vacation to the Dells. It was awesome! I decided I’m going back there sometime soon. .. Next week, when finals are over, I scheduled myself a facial! Ooooh yea! I’m so excited. It is also my five monthsary with my boyfriend =). Then graduation! I only have one job for the summer. I’m looking into applying for another one because having one job won’t be enough to pay my bills. I’ll have a lot of free time this summer. .. well, it seems like I will. Last summer, I had 2 jobs and a class. This summer, I have one job, and 2 one credit classes. .. online. I decided that I’m going to make a list of things to do over the summer. Last summer, I didn’t do that and it was the worst summer ever. I’ll make this one more enjoyable. I hope everyone has a great and safe summer!

ingat always (take care palagi). =].

. .. for not blogging the past couple of weeks, again.

I’ve been so extremely busy.  With the last few weeks before the semester ends, it seems like all of my teachers are deciding to cram everything in.  I had two papers to write last week and it was such a pain. .. physically, emotionally, and mentally.  My body was in pain from sitting in front of the computer for hours searching information online and putting words together in essay form.  My brain was hurting so much from sleepless hours and loads of deep thinking. But I’m glad that’s all over. .. well, almost.  The only things I have left to do are: one more mini-paper (I hope), few quizzes and tests, and some finals.  After all of that. .. on top of planning a talent show and having a mini vacation at the dells, I will be DONE. Graduation. Woot. Bye ECC until fall semester =). Yes, I will be graduating on May 21^st, but coming back for the Fall semester. .. because I love ECC oh so much. =).

If anyone is free on Friday, May 7^th, Asian Filipino Club will be hosting our 5^th Annual Talent Show @ 7pm.  All money raised will go towards Relay for Life. Come and support! =) thanks.

 ingat always (take care palagi). =].

. .. for not blogging in a while.

I have been extremely busy these past couple weeks.  I went to Orlando with Phi Theta Kappa, made a ton of memories there, slept for 12 hours, caught up with sleep when we got back, caught up with school work, just started my online class, study for tests, created a resume, work, ECC Idol, endure relationship problems.  *sigh* what a [couple of] week[s].  Everything is okay now. .. we’re okay.

So I want to touch on my trip to Orlando!  It was such an awesome experience! I’m just going to make a list. .. it’s easier to read hehe.

Day One.

§  Got to Ohare at 4am. Met up with the rest of φΘĸ crew.

§  Baggage check, security check, ate McDonalds, tried to nap, boarded the plane

§  Flew again for the first time in 12 years! I love the scene from looking down on the world. What a beautiful sight!

§  Before landing in Orlando, the view from above was such a beauty.

§  Finally got to Orlandooooo!

§  Got our bags, found the limo men, loaded the vans

§  Got driven to the grocery store, had 15 min to shop for food, the second group out [me, gaea, corinna], waited for everyone else to check out

§  On the way to the hotel, got to the hotel, checked in, wait for a while, met some guys from the St. Louis chapter—funny people!

§  Finally got to our room—beautiful view! Top floor. .. ooooh yea!

§  Put our stuff away, bothered people in other rooms, changed into our swim suits!

§  Went outside and tanned on the beach (it was soooo nice out!), swam, met up with the rest of the people who stayed (some people went to Disney World); played marco polo—didn’t last long because everyone got tired

§  Tanned some more to dry off

§  Walked the Disney Boardwalk with a group, take tons of pictures!

§  Went back to the rooms to shower and change for the φΘĸ dinner.

§  Had a dinner at a buffet in the hotel. Yummmmay! Loved their broccoli, chicken, and mashed potatoes. Had two plates and soup, no room for dessert.

§  Went back in the rooms, watched a little tv, knocked out, woke up a couple of times, but overall slept for 12 hours.

Day Two

§  I woke up feeling good—no backaches.

§  Ate breakfast, got ready for first session

§  Attended first and second sessions

§  Went outside to tan with my sister, Gaea, during our break, bought ice cream

§  Decided to walk around with some people—walked the Disney boardwalk, took some photobooth pictures, walked the entire circle of resorts, ferries, and whatnot—saw other resorts in the area—awesome walking adventure, took a lot of pics

§  Went back to the rooms for a little bit

§  φΘĸ pizza party! Papa johns pizza and cinnamon breadsticks. .. yumm!

§  Slept I think?

Day Three

§  Had to wake up super early for some sessions.

§  Had our first general session— Illinois was the loudest! What an awesome experience. We were up front, red section! Woot!

§  Rachel Maddow was phenomenal! What an awesome speaker. Love her!

§  Went back to the room to change for Disney

§  Tanned during break! Had the hammock to myself. .. so relaxing!

§  Met up with everyone to take the ferry to Magic kingdom, took the bus, then the monorail

§  Finally go to Magic Kingdom, bag check security guy called me a princess!

§  Had to wait in line to redeem our vouchers, received a volunteer pin

§  Finally got inside the gates, took a group picture in front, walked down Magic Kingdom towards the beautiful castle!

§  Rode some rides with everyone, split up for a bit, met up again, rode the tea cups and Dumbo, and more!

§  Took tons and tons of pictures

§  Super hungry, had a dinner break, ate some chicken and fries

§  Rode more rides, saw fireworks, met up with people again

§  Left at 2isham.. . super tired!

§  Got to the hotel, had a small meeting, knocked out!

Day Four

§  Woke up, got ready, ate some food

§  Went to second general session, moved to the back womp womp

§  Dr. Sanjay Gupta was the speaker! Another awesome speaker! Love him!

§  Went to another session

§  Had a break, showered, napped, got ready for the Awards Gala

§  Awards Gala! Everyone looking good! Rho Kappa was soooo loud, but respectful.  Everyone freaked out and cried when we won awards (Distinguish Chapter Member, Distinguish Chapter Officer, Distinguish Chapter President, and Scholarship Hallmark).

§  After the awards, we went outside to take lots and lots of pictures!

§  We were late for the dinner banquet—we had to separate.  The iced tea was nasty.  Dessert was okay.  Chicken was good.  Bread and butter was yummy.

§  Went upstairs to change for the dance.

§  Went to the dance.  Everyone just enjoyed it—danced and screamed.  Chanted “it’s her birthday” a lot because it was Karen Gonzales’s bday.  Music got lame so I got tired of dancing.

§  Kept dancing because everyone was dancing, took water breaks, and decided I was done dancing so I sat down.

§  Sister followed me a little after, met some cool guys from another chapter, had a nice chat, got asked to take a picture from another chapter

§  Waited until the dance was over, left, went back to the room, decided gaea and I weren’t tired, went to the other room, chatted with everyone that was there, had some laughs

§  Finally got tired at 4amish, went back to the room, knocked out

Day Five

§  Woke up, packed our stuff =[, made sure we didn’t leave anything, left the room forever =(.

§  Checked in our luggage for on hold

§  Left for Downtown Disney, waited a while for the bus, finally came

§  Finally got to Downtown! Shopped for a few hours! Hugeeee outside mall for Disney.  They had a ton of stuff haha. .. spent a lot of money for souvenirs for the family.

§  Went back to the hotel, got our luggage, waited a bit for limo guy

§  Limo guy came, loaded the sweet bus, on our way to the airport

§  Got to the airport, baggage check, security check, took the shuttle to other side

§  Had a lunch break—discovered boneless tenders at Wendys! Yummy!

§  Boarded the plane, took off =(, said bye to Orlandoooooo.

§  Got to Ohare, dad came to pick up the sistaaars, dropped off gaea to her apartment, got food for my mom, dropped off food at her work

§  Home sweet home, knocked out =).

What an adventure right?! It was awesome—can’t wait to do it again next year in Seattle! =).

ingat always (take care palagi). =].

. .. vacation.

Well, kind of.  So in exactly one week, I will be sitting by the poolside, or be walking around the resort with my flip flops in Orlando, Florida.  I will be in a Disney resort with tons of other Phi Theta Kappa members.  This is the annual Phi Theta Kappa International Convention and I’m very excited.  This will be my first time attending this particular conference and I cannot wait for all of the experiences I am about to endure!  I consider this trip as a vacation because one. .. this will be the first time in exactly 12 years that I will be riding a plane again.. . and two. .. it’s away from Illinois, it’s florida. .. and three. .. it is a break from work and school.  I spent my whole spring break working to pay for this trip, even hurt my back for it, so I think I deserve a little rest.  Even though we have required workshops and activities to attend, just the whole atmosphere of Florida is relaxing.  I’m actually not dreading to attend workshops at all; they’re very informative and you get to meet a lot of people.  I’m super excited! Last time I went to Florida was summer 2005.  We only went to Epcot, so I’m using my ticket to see Magic Kingdom, where the magic happens. Ohhhhh yeaaaa!  I want to ride Dumbo, take lots and lots of pictures with Minnie and Mickey and the rest of the gang, get my family souvenirs, and feel like a kid again!

ingat always (take care palagi). =].

. .. closer.

One day, I came home from school and saw a letter waiting for me.  It was from ECC.  Just looking at the letter scared the crap out of me and I had no idea why.  I opened the letter and there it was. .. my worst nightmare (uhhh, kinda).  The letter that was in my hands was the answer to my weird feelings—a premonition.  I read the letter and it pretty much said I could not graduate. .. unless I take another one credit class.  I was only one credit away from reaching my goal!  I was kind of upset because I really did not want to take another class.  On the other hand, it was only one credit.  I immediately looked up classes online and the class I wanted to take was already full— the online course for MS Excel 2007. Great.  I kept looking and took note on other choices.  I waited a week to register for another class, and when I was looking up classes again, MS Excel 2007 had only one spot left!  I registered right away and went to Financial Aid the next day to make sure they covered that class. .. and they did!  What a relief.  I went to see Ann Kalas to update my graduation status.  I was so happy when she informed me that I could graduate.  I can reach my goal as long as I stay in the classes I have now!  Now, I’m just working really hard to do well in my classes.  People usually slack off during their last semester, but I’m not.  I’m determined to raise my GPA and to graduate with an AS. =).

ingat always (take care palagi). =].

. .. to fulfill my goal.

I went to my counselor as a freshman and created an educational plan.  I kept it and made sure I kept track of the classes I already took and still needed to take.  I kept track of credits and making sure each section was fulfilled.  Up until last semester, I needed to make some changes to my ed plan because I decided to change majors.  The classes were already laid out for me, but I no longer had interest in taking those classes.  I took whatever classes I wanted to explore the hospitality and management world.  Making changes to my original ed plan did not change my eligibility of graduating.  Or so I thought. .. During the fall semester, I made an agreement with one of my best friends that we will graduate together in May.  We both stuck to that agreement and we both turned in our graduation application at the same time.  For some reason, I had a weird feeling before, during, and after I turned in my app.  I was scared that I couldn’t graduate and I had no idea why.  Maybe I didn’t take enough classes; I’m missing some classes under a section; or because I failed (in my eyes) Chemistry last semester. 

Stay tuned next week for more of my story. ..

ingat always (take care palagi). =]

. .. goals.

Ever since I found out I was attending ECC, I created a long-term goal for myself: to graduate with an Associate’s degree after two years.  Actually, I think that’s considered a short-term goal because it leads to my longer-term goal of finishing my educational career and moving on to my working full-time career.  No matter what major I was pursuing, or even if I was still undecided, I really wanted to graduate by May 2010.  I was going towards an Associate’s in Science because I thought that was the area I was going to be in.  In my eyes, Associate’s in Science is a better degree.  Even if people think they are the same because both are degrees, in my eyes, AS is still better to have on resumes.

Stay tuned next week for more of my story. ..

P.S. Actually.. . stay tuned on Saturday because I missed last Saturday’s blog due to my internet failure and my packed schedule.

ingat always (take care palagi). =].