I really want to tell you some interesting stuff I came across two days into the new semester (like that guy wearing candy pink Polo shirt and, get this, matching crocs, kinda like that picture above). But then, I've been coming home past 5 AM these two days straight, which enforces me not to waste unnecessary energy. Just like gas, it's reaching $2.65 2.75 unleaded today.

Later.

Food


Dessert


Birthday girl (Happy 20th, Princess)


The result of two shots of Triple Sec, Margarita Mix and a glass of Bordeaux

Setting: this morning, my apartment, downstairs 1/2 bathroom and kitchen area.

B (our nice maintenance guy): "Lady, there's nothing wrong with your toilet. And btw, you've lost so much weight *sprouting a concern look*. The other day, me and my guys were like *tilting his head, squinting his eyes*, 'Is that the same lady? Yeah, yeah, she is.' What did you do? I want to lose some pounds too."

X: "Ah *looking bashful* I started summer last year, just do some sports, go to the Rec, stuff like that. No special diet or anything. Hey, but you have muscles, you don't need to worry too much."

"Yeah, up here, it's okay. I want to lose something here *pointing at his belly and lovehandles*. I don't want to look too skinny skinny, like when I see those guys with big upper bodies but small legs, nah nah, I don't want it like that. Just 20 lbs or something, and I'll be happy."

"Sure, you can do it, it'll just take time."

"Yeah, and passion."

"Yeah."

See, one of the good things about loosing weight and getting in shape is when you inspire people to do the same. Isn't it a much better world already? Ha ha ha.

Happy weekend!

Gak boleh mikir
Message:
===enggak boleh mikir...
===apa yang pertama ada di pikiran lo kalau
denger......

*****************************************************

..boneka = pinkyst
..internet = blog
..games = monopoli
..cinta = oh oh oh
..pacar = yes, please
..sayang = anak
..anak kecil = comel
..sepupu = jauh
..mobil = humvee
..belanja = kebutuhan dapur
..ancur = lebur
..sepatu = stilleto
..lagu = klasik
..sahabat = asik
..sedih = berdiri di pojokan
..bau = bawang bombay
..sekolah = kapan selesainya???
..warna = biru
..matahari = spf 50!
..malam = bulan
..hewan = buas
..taman = bunga paling indah
..bunga = cala lily
..macet = no, please
..bom = atom, kacang atom juga boleh
..pindah = males
..kuliah = ya gitu deh
..tugas dan ujian = ntah apo-apo
..waktu luang = tv!
..tidur = empuk
..huruf 'M' = me myself and mine
..rambut = kriting
..citos = tempat makan?
..kecelakan = knock on wood
..liburan = lombok!
..ngebut = insurance naik
..rokok = mahal
..dugem = ribut
..uang = pake kartu aja deh
..jakarta = menarik

--Wake Me Up When September Ends, Greenday


ventisei, in più meno di due settimane *sigh*

Associate Justice Clarence Thomas, according to popular biographical sketches, left the seminary because of the racist attitudes of fellow seminarians. Sensitive issue as it was (and it has always been), it is still an unfortunate thing that even today, some people couldn't get out of that kind of mentality....40 years after the march in Selma.

En route to Mass today, a woman asked NY and I if the parking meter on the side of the church, as flashed by its digital readout, was actually free.

X: "On the weekends, yeah, it is".

When she found that we were going to the church, she then said:

W: "Can black people come here?"

Sis and I couldn't believe what she said,

X & NY: "Pardon us?"

W: "Can my color goes here?"

X& NY in unison: "SURE."

She was surprised and bashfully added,

W: "I don't know that, I just want to go to church."

It was just sad. I'm glad that when she went inside, Father D greeted her warmly. She stayed halfway through the Mass. Whatever it was, I wish she found what she came for.

Does anyone know the recipe for a killer Blackforest cake? The real one, with Kircsh (or some other liquor), black cherries, and all the chocolatey goodness...

In lieu of throwing a "surprise" birthday party, a certain princess has asked me to just bake her the said cake.

Princy, I'm afraid I'm gonna shopping around for your cake. It's too much pressure to handle and I'm...frail.

*Thanks to this neat stuff, now the colleague and I can manage to control the system from the comfort of our own offices.

Silly, silly me.

• La Asunción de la Virgen María. Will I be able to make it to Mass today?

• (Sorry, no picture) Interim days Aug 12-25, gym and track close at 8, natatorium at 7. How am I gonna fit the hour?



• Summer is almost over. Do I deserve a 3-hour flee-floating, beer-gulping, picture-taking, good book-reading along Guadalupe?
  

• Graduation weekend means all restaurant will overflow. Among a few alternatives for FDO this week: Taqueria Arandas, Coco Loco, other Bryan Mexican places. So, Arandas, it seems.

• My sister and I were on VCD marathon last night, in order of viewing: this, this, and this. First Unit Assistant Director of the third movie was my senior in HS (he was also a Ketua Osis). Note to self: once in a while the use of a rating scale with something up to the par with Rotten Tomatoes instead of stars makes it more interesting.
  

• Pak Dodol, if you read this, I'm on Level 54, granted only 1/3 (before Level 50) were purely self-effort, without cheating I mean.

• Two nights ago, a colleague and I wet-etched the 30" electrode in the open air. I guess we're gonna die soon.

Extremely toxic. May be fatal if inhaled or ingested. Readily absorbed through the skin - skin contact may be fatal. Acts as a systemic poison. Causes severe burns. Possible mutagen. Reaction may be delayed. Any contact with this material, even minor, requires immediate medical attention.

It's hard to remember how it felt before
Now I found the love of my life...
Passes things get more comfortable
Everything is going right

And after all the obstacles
It's good to see you now with someone else
And it's such a miracle that you and me are still good friends
After all that we've been through
I know we're cool

We used to think it was impossible
Now you call me by my new last name
Memories seem like so long ago
Time always kills the pain

Remember Harbor Boulevard
The dreaming days where the mess was made
Look how all the kids have grown
We have changed but we're still the same
After all that we've been through
I know we're cool

And I'll be happy for you
If you can be happy for me
Circles and triangles, and now we're hangin' out with your new
girlfriend
So far from where we've been
I know we're cool

-- Cool, Gwen Stefani

Have you ever heard of the Communion Police?

I'm sorry, Mam, I am going to ask you to pull over from the trail. Could I see your certificate of First Communion or RCIA, please? You do know that you're supposed to say "Amen" after receiving the host and that you should consume it immediately, right? I'm going to give you a warning this time, next time it will be a ticket!

I keed, I keed.

Most of the time, some kind of enforcement for potential offenders comes from the ex-officio church leaders, laity or ordained, and trained Eucharistic Ministers, but maybe not so much from your average church-goers. As for the gravelier thing like the lack of awareness of mortal sins, everybody knows that they all are being investigated by the elite squads called Special Victim Unit, namely your own conscience and The Holy Spirit.

Anyway, my friend G spotted a potential Holy Communion offense on the 11 AM Mass this past Sunday. FYI, G never really recovers from sitting on the very front pew on the Gospel side, a habit started back when she brought her two younglings to Sunday Masses many years ago. Undeniably, she's bound to see everything that ever happened on that part of the chuch.

The alleged offense was committed by an Eucharistic Minister of the Holy Communion (a young lady) and a young man on the Communion trail. Instead of moving toward the Deacon (see diagram) on his turn, the young man proceeded to walking to the young lady. G then became a witness to him receiving more than one Hosts but only consuming the last one received. Their facial expressions and body languages led her to believe that the two conspired foul-playing.


As soon as the Mass ended, my friend went to the back room to personally ask the young lady her name and to inquire other people about the young man's. She was all set to bring the matter to higher authority. I don't know what drove her like that. I guess, part of such loyalty was instilled from the recent departure, well-planned yet unexpected, of a long time parish priest.

Long story short, it turned out that the priest recognized the man as one of the members of the Ministry to the Sick, and that he might need to distribute the hosts that Sunday. He will check with the man anyway and thanked G to bring the matter to his attention.

Now, it's my turn to ponder about whether or not foul-play was committed. From the Handbook for Ministry of Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist of the St. Patrick Parish, Stoneham MA:

The Blessed Sacrament is conveyed in a small closed container called a pyx. When bringing Eucharist to a homebound parishioner, put the pyx, open on the apron of the Tabernacle before Mass. (If you need more than one host, put a small piece of paper with the pyx indicating the # of hosts desired). After Communion, the deacon or one of the Eucharistic Ministers will place a host or hosts in the pyx, close it and leave it on the apron for you to pick up at the conclusion of Mass.

It might be slightly varied from parish to parish, but the use of pyx seems to be mandatory. Since the man didn't place the hosts on such vessel and didn't check in with the priest anytime before the Mass, G's suspicion might be true after all.

The only time I managed to wash my hair, put enough conditioner on it, blow-dry it, flat-iron it, and style it so that it looks naturally stay in place, and it ...rained... drizzling, but the humidity and the water were enough to bring about an uncontrollable frizziness that is my real hair prior to all those beautifying steps.

I mean, I actually secured a compliment from an openly gay guy this afternoon. Not fair, and so much for trying to look pretty. Hahaha.

5:47 AM, just got back from school and now waiting for youngest bro's SPMB result, it'll be posted online in 13 minutes. O tempora o mores!


Today's swimming:

• 4 x 250 m freestyle (diving pool)


• averaged 02:42/100 meter

June last year's:

• 5 x 100 m freestyle (swimming pool)
• averaged 03:04/100 meter

So, at least I'm improving both in time (by 22 seconds) and in endurance (by 500 meters). Need to be more focused on the strokes and REALLY need to brush up the breathing techniques.

Swimming update (08/09):

• 4 x 250 m
• Averaged 2:38/100 m (swimming pool)

I'm just into swimming these days.