Science and the Ocean of Truth

I admire Stephen Hawking. He's not some actor or some singer but a scientist(a physicist and a cosmologist, to be specific). While amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has made him a prisoner in his own body, the disease has left his intellect free to roam. And roam it does... from the infinitesimal to the infinite, from the subatomic realm to the far reaches of the universe. His struggle with the disease is a metaphor for the scientific process--man, naturally inquisitive and bound by maddening restrictions, always finds ways to explore the world around him.

Just like other scientists, Stephen is an atheist. I don't find that appalling(since I myself, am an atheist) but what's appalling is the fact that he and some other scientists trashed philosophy. Science and Philosophy are different studies, both esoteric yet tantalizing. Scientists search for facts--positive knowledge about the physical universe. Philosophers, on the other hand, search for the truth--principles underlying all knowledge, being and reality. To declare Science as the universal "TRUTH" would be megalomania and forcing people believe in such would be proselytism.

Why am I saying all these? Because I'm tired of people who try to tell me that Science is the answer to everything. I'm tired of defending my principles to people who claim they don't "proselytize" when the very act of trashing my principles and claiming that theirs is right and that I should believe in them too is itself, proselytizing. Same goes for religious fanatics but religious fanatics aren't that scary. After all, they are expected to make "converts" but scientific megalomania is scary. I love Science and at the same time, Philosophy. I don't want to part with either for the other.

After all these, you might think I don't admire Stephen anymore and have developed an abhorrence for scientists. I still admire Stephen and I still respect scientists. Stephen's courage and humor despite his illness is itself, admirable. His intelligence--his claim to fame, is another thing that's worthy of praise. After all, he wasn't distinguished as a student...definitely an inspiration to someone like me.

Sloth

I hate our President for being so lazy she loves making changes with holidays. She takes these opportunities to make a good excuse for being a procrastinator, and therefore granting her only 4 days of work for the week. Does she not care that there are millions of excited students who are itching on their computer seats for the school year to commence so they can also start jotting down or doodling on their brand-new notebooks using their expensive Staedtler pencils and G-Tech pens? Does she not care about the more enthusiastic pupils who have studied in advance the whole summer just to be ready to show the classmates who's who in which subject? And about those who are feeling ecstatic they are going to see their crushes back again or be with their boyfriends because they happen to study in the same school? Or about those who are just simply feeling anxious about how the academic year might be, and for them the first day of school tells whether it's what they expect it to be, or something better or worse? And those who want to meet new people, exchange smiles and glances, and wear the new clothes, flash to the public's eye the new bags and flaunt the new shoes, which when they shopped for these they had to endure the brutal amount of people pushing them from all directions during the end-of-summer/back-to-school sale? The answer is no, she really doesn't. She only cares about her egoistic self and of course, about the amount of dilly-dallying she can do for the week.

Well, yeah, ok, some of those I listed above may sound really familiar (no, I don't have these staedtler pencils and G-Tech pens, I prefer the cheaper ones..but I did go to that sale) ... But don't mind those. Let's talk about other depressing matters.

I don't have any load anymore, because I spent it on sending text messages to Serene, Renee, and my uncle, Rene. I tried to send a picture (of myself, of course!) to my phone as well, but then I have to connect it to the internet. And I failed to do so--reason? I failed to know, too. While I was online, I entertained myself with reading interesting posts in a blog (www.enchantedquill.blogspot.com) and chatted with the author--and when we were at the peak of our DiabloII-LOD conversation I got disconnected. Of course, there was only around 3 hours left on my internet account, and time passes quickly while one is enjoying. I stole some internet from my brother's account (which is what I am also doing right now... it's ok, he deleted my folder and that's a thousand times more painful!) and went back to chatting but sadly everyone went away.

Very early this morning I went online to check the news regarding the no-class-Monday. I found out that in the month of May the palace declared June 13 to be a regular working day. Since the President is the commander, her word is to be followed making our first-day-of-classes to be our first-day-of-no-classes for this school year.

Or maybe this is a wrong speculation after all, that Glo is lazy. I am thinking that maybe on those days that she had declared to be a holiday-extension, she was probably working on something..... else! Not her normal Presidential work load, but her favorite extra-curricular activity--being the national Jueteng lord. Now on Monday might be her secret meeting and general rehearsal with her political supporters. Of course, they have to make stories up and practice their alibi to cover up the worst ever blunder in her career. They have to make sure their details aren't too blurry or too elaborated to be a lie. So now, now, she's not a procrastinator after all. She's working really hard. I don't want her to abdicate her throne because next in line is Noli de Castro--I'd rather have Erap back. Enough about politics...

I wonder now why it's BA Political science... Politics was never a science and never will be. It's a dirty art.

Of Unfinished Tasks and Spoiling Oneself

Today, I am supposed to accomplish these tasks:

1.Finish covering all my notebooks.
2.Finish covering all of Steph's notebooks.
3.Finish redecorating my room.
4.Finish reading "Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell"

Unfortunately, I was only able to accomplish task one, since I woke up late and my mom wanted me to accompany her to the mall to meet my dad. Fortunately though, task two is out of the list already since Steph came and offered to cover her notebooks herself.

At the mall, I bought the following:

1.two bras, 1,200 php each.
2.Make-up set, 1,500 php.
3.New sandals 1,350 php.
4.Clearasil facial wash, 135 php.
5.Nivea Lip Care lip balm, 72 php.
6.Helen Curtis Salon Selectives finishing spray, 259 php.

Normally, I won't spend at all but since my dad was there, I didn't waste the opportunity. It's not everyday that your dad allows you to spoil yourself *grin*. Tomorrow, I'll buy shoes and some clothes. My dad promised. Haha. I bought the sandals since the strap of the one I was wearing at that moment broke. Steph gave me those sandals *tear*.

So...that's it. My day.

Tempation of Eve

This is one of my few attempts in making an art work.

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The List

Who to avoid.

1. Smokers (My father smoked one pack of cigarettes once. He was in college.)
2. Frat Members (My father is a member of Alpha Sigma Phi)
3. Drug addicts. (They're weird.)
3. Overly weird (People who think they're weird, but they're just trying to belong to the classification of weird so they can have somewhere to belong. It' s a mundane way of thinking, it makes them not weird.)
4. The popular group. (These bunch do nothing but socialize).
5. The flirts. (These are the ones who are almost always seen with boys surrounding them.)
6. The boisterous youth. (They're harmless, but they attract unwanted attention.)

Of Movies, Smoking and Parental Responsiblity

I was supposed to finish redecorating my room today but Steph invited me to watch "Mr. and Mrs. Smith" with her. At first, I wanted to refuse but when she mentioned the part where everything's on her(including the food), I agreed.

The first 45 minutes where okay, but after that, it got boring. I wanted to go home already but Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt made me stay. Angelina's hot, she provides enough eye candy to actually make you finish the whole thing(she always does...I finished "Life or Something Like It" even if it was BORING because she was there). Brad's okay, but I still think that he looked cute as Louis in "Interview with a Vampire." I do not want to say anything about the plot since there might be those who haven't seen the movie yet.

I hate people who smoke. Don't they know that they are committing genocide and at the same time suicide? A law should be passed to ban smokers. I know it's not possible since a lot of people will lose jobs and the economy will fall(and a lot of people will protest...-_-;) but think about it. Wouldn't a smoke-free world be nice? Who started the smoking habit anyway? Who invented cigarettes?

As of the moment, I have a headache and it doesn't help that my parents are leaving me to take care of my brothers and sister. Why can't they be more responsible? My mom needs to be more responsible. She makes me take care of Eman ever since Eman was a little baby. she reasons out that she's too old. Wasn't she "too old" to fuck with my dad therefore creating a baby? Sheesh. If she can't take care of kids, then she shouldn't have born Eman at all. It's not only I who thinks of my mom that way. So do my brothers and sister. I'm sorry if I sound offensive but that's how I feel right now.

Change of Schedule

I went to USC-TC to have my schedule changed. Unfortunately, I still have to go to school 7:30 A.M. everyday, which means I'll be retaining those black rings under my eyes. The latest time I get to go home is 5:30 p.m. Too bad I can't watch Buffy anymore without missing a portion of an episode or the whole thing!!! I only have a one-hour break everyday. Saturdays and sundays will again be my favorite days. No classes on those days!

I'm currently listening to Sarah Mclachlan and Tori Amos. i wasted my hours of internet on downloading their mp3s.But it's worth it.

College

That's alright steph. I understand about the obsession. Really, you should have bought a laptop that isn't mac.

so you're in section B, just prove to everyone that the people in A aren't deserving. and please put yourself in the dean's list of university scholars no matter what.

I really don't know what to expect from my classmates in BS math. If it's going to be really competitive, then bring it on! We're going to be together the whole day the whole week because of the block sectioning (and there are only around 20 of us). I just hope there's no one there like Heinrich, because that's going to force me to have a personal mathematics tutor.

Oh yeah, btw, I've met a few of my classmates-to-be and it seems that everyone graduated w/ honors from their previous schools (which are situated in the rather rural areas). Almost everyone's from the kingdom of far far away that I feel like I'm the one from another planet. well at least I'll be with people like you who share the same interest in mathematics.

I've asked a few if they've been to math competitions and they're negative. I'm also on a look out on who to avoid and who to befriend.

Enrollment in UP is such a bother, harassing, rather. It lasted two days, two WHOLE days. I didn't get on a good start. The second day came w/ all my papers flying everywhere when I dropped them on the road. Windy day! 2 friendly ?seniors? came to the rescue. Bless them.

I've also searched for prospective lunch places and I've found many just west of UP. I'm only given 1 hour each day to have lunch which means I can't go to JY (waste of time) or Ayala. At least I will have a rather controlled diet and I will be able to save a lot.

I do have a lot of things to buy. First on my list: Mane n' Tail Deep Moisturizing Shampoo. I wonder if it works.

My new cell number is 0915-8102731.

Of Hatred, Family and Love

I'm trying to calm my nerves right now. I may appear calm in front of everyone but my insides are boiling hot. I hate my sister. She's a spoiled brat. I scolded her for being so untidy. I mean, she's a girl. She's supposed to be tidy(which is funny cuz. when I think about it, when I was young, I always go home covered in mud and dust...but I take a bath before diving into my bed! Besides, I don't disarrange stuff like her so, I was right in scolding her). Rest assured, my hatred for her won't last. After all, hatred is the acid that destroys the container in which it is stored more than the object on which it is poured. She's crying right now and everyone thinks I'm bad. Even E-man is shouting at me. As if I care. I have my own problems to think about. My father told me I should get a life. I will, all right. My sister's. [Evil laugh]

My father said that I was harsh and I shouldn't be because they(him and mom) weren't harsh to me. Right. At that point, I laughed my head off like some deranged maniac and kissed Eman, who was scared of me. Haha. See the scars on my legs, old prick. Oops. Shouldn't have said that. Now I sound uneducated.

I think I'll go anti-love. Really, who needs it? Butterflies in the tummy and hearts skipping beats...nah, that can't be safe.

Later.

Current playlist:
***All About the Money-Meja
***Bitch-Merdith Brooks
***You're so Vain-Carly Simon

Work

For the first time in so many years, I finally took a break from being slothful and cleaned up my room. I left the bed as is. Underneath the cushions lie 2 things you need not know what. I vowed I wouldn't lay my eyes on these things ever again. Although just a few minutes ago I watched Pamela Anderson's boobs fight her tight leather blouse. That's a giveaway.

I sorted my clothes according to color and discovered I have so many whites. I sweated enough to lose 1 pound. I gave away a lot of used clothing to my aunt who just left for Manila tonight. KMK?!

I can't wait for classes to start. By then I can finally have my allowance, and set aside some money for the poor. God, forgive me for hating the rich. They're just haughty hypocrites who go to mass to socialize. Aren't we going to reform the Church one day and start the Neo-Catholicism movement?

Of Shawarma, Proper Conduct and Crutches

Today, Steph, Patrick and I went to Ayala since it's my payday. We went on a food trip and I ate two pieces of Shawarma. It IS addicting, I tell you (I haven't mastered the sauce problem, though...-_-;). Then Steph insisted that we should try eating Pansit Malabon. I have to be honest: Pansit Palabok tastes better than Pansit Malabon (especially the Pansit Palabok at Red Ribbon ^.~).

While we were eating, Steph made fun of this boy who was dancing on the dance pad at Timezone. I really do not approve of her making fun of the boy just because he was wearing pink and showing off his moves (though no one was watching...-_-;). And to add insult to injury, she shouted at the poor boy, calling him "bayot" (that's Cebuano for a male homosexual). So, I gave her a LONG lecture (I know...I sound like a mother...-_-;) about proper conduct in public. Well, at least Steph isn't someone typical, because if she were, I'm sure we won't be in speaking terms right now.

My brother, Francis arrived from the hospital. He underwent tendon repair on his left foot. Temporarily, he's a cripple on crutches. He says he misses me because at the hospital, nobody teases him and talks to him 'cept for the nurses (he thinks the nurses are falling for him...^.~).

Steph and I covered our notebooks today. I can't believe that I'll be in college in less than two weeks. Oh, well.

Steph

this is a pic of steph when she was 5. she used to be a model in some japanese dressmaking magazine.

it's really quite amazing. the little girl looks so much like stephanie!