Tuesday, September 26, 2006

scribbled by anna katrina
6:35 PM | 9 comments

Let's Chill

It's 1:30 am, and I'm here at Dunkin Donuts, cold and sleepy to the music of my hero, Norah Jones.

In front of me is Marianne - a blabbermouth, as most people who know her would say, but a brilliant writer nonetheless. It just amazes me how much life and charisma emanates from her stories, whether verbal or written...i wager she'd someday be one of the best storytellers of our time.

Even at this hour, she's usually really still boisterous, but tonight is different. All her energy's been used up after she told us about how she forgot her key yesterday and couldn't get in her apartment at 3 am in the morning. After exhausting all efforts on texting people who might be able to help her, she resolves to just walk around Dumaguete and wait for the sunrise. No wink of sleep for her.

At this very moment, she's here with us (when she's supposed to be in her apartment sleeping her weariness away), arms folded upon the table, with her head resting down and her eyes shut. I hope she's dreaming of more stories.

Two empty seats to my right is Kuya Razcel, our beloved (or not so beloved) SG president; but I would rather think of him as the die-hard environmentalist-slash-indie artist who happened to be famous and decided to do some people a favor by running for president. Anyway, he's buried in 'Shanghai Boy' by Chinese author Wei Hui.

I finally ask him what the book is all about after a few shrieks of "Holy SHIT!" and moments of watery eyes.

"Feminism, a philandering woman caught between an addicted artist and a German guy. It's a sad, sad story."

"It shows." I snigger. Kuya Razcel is TOO different from the other guys today. He's got more sensitivity than all the occupants of Doltz Hall combined (no offense dirg), and he's extremely emotional. I remember how he once cried over crickets, which eventually let to our constant banter on him; and he keeps a journal for God's sake! (p.s. I love that journal)

Anyway, I'm asking for an artwork from him -- just in case he becomes some famous artist someday.

At my back is Lyde, the resident gay poet. It doesn't surprise me that he opted to sit in another table - the very table he spent his 18th birthday on...alone. He actually has this fetish for being overly-melodramatic about his life, or as Denver would put it, "He makes simple things complicated." I would agree with him, but if it weren't for Lyde's 'emote' moments, he wouldn't have made the poems we love.

Glancing at my back, I find Lyde beaming with pleasure. He rolls he's eyeballs, seemingly examining the area, fixes his eyes on me and gives me a nod, as if signaling for me to do the same. I give him a squint, and I look around to find out what he's so happy about.

"Oh, ok." I sneer with Lyde at the sight. Eight out of fourteen tables are occupied by two guys (who seem like they're dating).

"This is really the era of Brokeback Mountain," Lyde comments nonchalantly, almost giggling, causing Marianne to fidget and give a smile. (Kuya Razcel is still indifferent... he's almost crying now. What's that book doing to him???)

I eventually engaged Lyde in a debate/conversation about possibilities and prejudice. My gaze broke off and turned to two guys drinking coffee at a nearby table. They seem to be getting more uncomfortable by the minute. I'm not sure if they've been eavesdropping, (or maybe they had no choice but to listen because our voices were too loud anyway). Funny - I wonder if they're guilty or not.

Everything is quiet again, and the two guys stand up to leave. One of them is wearing an "I love Party Chicks" shirt. "Yeah right," I muttered under my breath. Closet case.

Sigh. I realize how much I love hanging out like this - chilling over coffee and hot chocolate in the wee hours of the morning, just using up the creative juices left before retiring for the day.
And I couldn't think of a better crowd to just do this with.

Monday, September 18, 2006

scribbled by anna katrina
5:09 PM | 7 comments

Ironic yet true

In perhaps the best conversation I ever had with my mom, she asked me why I no longer have the passion for my studies, unlike before (when i was in elementary and high school). This question baffled me, and I was literally unable to respond. When she asked the question again, I wasn't sure how she'd take my answer.

"I'm just not sure what I really want," was all I could mutter.

Almost squinting, I expected her to start blabbering about how I'm already in my sophomore year and how I wasted my three semesters, when in fact I had all of High School to decide what course I'd like to take and think about what life I'd want to lead.

Honestly, back in High School, if there was one person in our class who knew exactly what he or she wanted, that would be me. Being the president of our graduating batch, I didn't want to seem like I didn't know what to do. When everybody took the Nursing test just to have a fallback in case they do decide to take up the course (even if they didn't want to -- you know how parents are), I stepped back, and confidently told them I would never be a nurse.

Four years of accountancy, then law. After bar exams, I'd be a corporate lawyer in some big company.

At least that's what I told everybody.

Right now, I'm certain that it's no longer what I want. The problem is, I don't know what I want.
Then, being the best mom ever, she asked me what I love doing, what were the things I enjoyed. Perhaps, she could help me decide. "The earlier you make up your mind the better."

I told her that I love talking -- it's the reason why I joined debate society in the first place. I couldn't imagine myself just making financial statements in the corner. (I would die!) I love writing -- stories, essays, poems (however crappy they may be), plays, etc. I love reading, I love sensible and deep conversations, I love meeting new and interesting people, I love music and instruments and singing. I almost love anything except everything that has to do with my present course. Ironic yet true.

She then asked me if I want to shift to Mass Com. Maybe that's where I belong.

I stifled a giggle and replied, "Mie, adopted Mass Com na bya ko."

I was quite sure she didn't understand what I meant by being 'adopted', but she told me how she suggested the course before I even enrolled in college. Of course, I couldn't remember her doing so since I was so sure that I would be taking up accountancy (coz that's what I told everyone).

"Do you think you could finish in four years if you shift to Mass Com? Maybe you can just take full load every summer then you'd be able to graduate in 2009. You better ask their office."

I didn't respond again. I'm not sure if I really wanted to shift. Admittedly, I enjoy the company of a lot of Mass Com students, but I want to make sure this isn't just a phase. I recall wanting to become a teacher just this summer (special thanks to Sir Ian Casocot). Apparently, it was just something that receded right away.

Here's something I thought could help me. Although the Internet isn't exactly the best thing anybody could consult regarding these matters, it doesn't hurt to try. I answered a personality test -- it's supposed to tell me what kind of person I was and what job best suits me.

You Are An ENFP
The Inspirer
You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.You are also unconventional, irreverant, and unimpressed by authority and rules.Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're qutie the storyteller!
You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.

I read it anxiously, hoping that this could be the savior I was waiting for. After the last sentence, I sighed and laid back lazily on my mom's comfy office chair.

I would make an excellent ENTREPRENEUR, POLITICIAN or JOURNALIST. Great. Just great.

I'm in business administration right now so I can one day be an ENTREPRENEUR (the thing I realized I don't feel like doing anymore), I'm only a student POLITICIAN yet I hate it already (to those who know me personally, remember what I feel like doing?) and I'm not even sure about being a JOURNALIST (despite my mom nudging me to shift to Mass Com).

Oh God! Oh God! Even the Internet couldn't help me out.

I'm hoping that one day I'd wake up with a great desire to be a painter or a filmmaker. Then, it would be sooo much easier.

Help.

Saturday, September 16, 2006

scribbled by anna katrina
12:32 AM | 8 comments

Chronicles of a Caffeine Aficionado

I have a mission – and it’s to raid all the coffee places in Dumaguete (or anywhere within my reach by creaky motorcycle) as much as I possibly can. I guess my being a coffee addict has its benefits. After almost nine years of being an adopted ‘Dumagueteño’, I finally had the initiative to start memorizing where you find certain places in what streets.

At the moment, I’m seated at the corner bench here at The Lounge Compuesto, a newly opened café-slash-bar-slash-restaurant, seemingly writing my Friday afternoon away. I’ve read their flyer once, (when some girl shoved several papers at me while I was approaching Hibbard Hall) and it says that their coffee shop closes at 5 pm. I’m convinced that this place turns into the ‘bar’ after five.

The buy-one-take-one coffee shake is nice, or perhaps I’m only neglecting the fact that it tastes just like the instant coffee I always have at home because the cute waiter who served me offered to brighten the lights a little bit so I could see what I’m writing. I’m also loving the fact that these two tall glasses with cherries on top only cost me thirty pesos. Yep, thirty measly pesos.

Oops – the cute waiter just approached me to tell me about the cakes they have. Banana Flan or Mango Float. I told him I’d have the latter, and after informing me that it’s twenty-five pesos, he gave me a smile! I smiled back, of course.

I guess the only problem I have with this place is their music. I’m currently listening to some oldie-pop song which I could have sworn was sung by Michael learns to rock. (I remember hearing this song back in second grade.) The place is almost deserted as well, except for two men at my left, gulping down a couple of Colt 45’s while engaging in a somewhat deep conversation.

Ooh. Their mango float tastes heavenly.

Overall, the Lounge Compuesto is given THREE STARS for effort (and the cute waiter). As much as I’d like to give it a higher mark, I feel there’s something missing. And besides, it could never compare to my all time favorite, Café Antonio.

I was back at Café Antonio last night. The owner (whose name I have yet to find out), smiled at me. He probably remembers me to be one of their “suki” – a group of boisterous students (no offense LYDE, EASTER, MARIANNE, DENVER, DIRGY) who constantly ordered just one drink each and stayed until the closing time.

He signaled to me if I wanted to play the piano. I politely said “no” and took my seat.

Surprisingly, John was the one who took my order. He’s a classmate back in Grade 4 (I didn’t know he worked there). I wonder how much he makes. If I decide to stop studying, I’ll probably consider getting a job here.

I ordered a Mocha Frap Classic and Ham & Cheese Sandwich and buried myself in Menchu Aquino Sarmiento’s “Meditations of a Piss Artist”.

It’s about a misunderstood guy who has become a pessimistic and troubled student in UP Diliman whose area of expertise is making his piss look pretty. Quite the rebel, he made his teachers fume (and horny) – and easily became the class hero. Women practically threw themselves at him (including his gay dean) and he simply entertained them, like he’s doing them a favor.

But there was this one girl whom he treated like nobody else. For him, she was different – demure, innocent, intelligent – far from the other women he’s been with. The problem was, he couldn’t even make a move on her, and she seemed uninterested.

In the end, he makes love to another woman but imagines the girl of his dreams. They aren’t even making love in his mind. They’re simply talking, and laughing, and kissing.

I left Café Antonio at 9 pm – I promised my mom I’d go home early. I almost left without paying! Hehe. I give Café Antonio FIVE STARS for being the best place to stay. Their coffee selection is delightful, and the piano-work is perfect. I feel like an bohemian-indie artist and a metropolitan yuppie at the same time. :p

Wait a minute. I swear this cute waiter was the guy Kleng2x introduced to me at the Booth Area. But then again, I’m not sure.

Going back, I also visited Coco Grande two days ago – just to save me from being caught driving without a license. I parked around thirty meters away from the checkpoint (Coco Grande lot) and stayed inside until the “dakop” was through.

Yippee! Michael Buble! (Finally a decent song.)

I was the only one in their Café, freezing cold. I ordered a cup of coffee and a slice of chocolate cake, and again, put out my stories and read. I especially liked “Termino” by Dean Francis Alfar (the best storyteller ever!)

I’ve never really eaten at Coco Grande’s Café before. I just realized that it has this sophisticated atmosphere that is quite promising. It just lacks music and personality. I bet they’d have younger customers if they only made the place more ‘masa’ yet still exuding that hint of urbanity and cosmopolitan feel. I give it FOUR STARS because I was able to concentrate on my stories the most staying there.

I glance at my watch. 3:30 pm.

Shit. I think the cute waiter’s gay.

Sunday, September 10, 2006

scribbled by anna katrina
8:30 PM | 1 comments

I Do Not Love You - Pablo Neruda

I do not love you as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,
or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.
I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,
in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms
but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;
thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,
risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;
so I love you because I know no other way

that this: where I does not exist, nor you,
so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,
so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.

Monday, September 04, 2006

scribbled by anna katrina
11:28 PM | 1 comments
Elliott Yamin - Home

this is one of the most beautiful songs I have heard... sung by the best American Idol ever.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

scribbled by anna katrina
1:12 AM | 4 comments

months...months...

Here's something for everybody. I'm not really much of a fan of horoscopes, astrology and the like, but it really fascinates me how these things actually [oftentimes] make sense. Read on and find out if these are true about you!

People born on:

January

Pretty/handsome. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Sensitive. Down-to-Earth. Stubborn.

February

Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexiest out of everyone. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest And loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Horny. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

March

Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Great kisser. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Observant and assesses others.

April

Suave and compromising. Funny and humorous. Stubborn. Very talkative. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well with others. Very confidant. Sensitive. Positive Attitude. Thinking generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Able
to cheer everyone up and/or make them laugh. Able to motivate oneself and others. Understanding. Fun to be around. Outgoing. Hyper. Bubbly personality. Secretive. Boy/girl crazy. Loves sports, music, leisure and traveling. Systematic. Hot but has brains.

May

Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Shy towards opposite sex. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance.
Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High-spirited.

June

You've got the best personality and are an absolute pleasure to be around. You love to make new friends and be outgoing. You are a great flirt and more than likely have an a very attractive partner. a wicked hottie. It is also more than likely that you have a massive record collection. You have a great choice in films, and may one day become a famous actor/actress yourself - heck, you've got the looks for it!!!

July

Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. spazzy at times. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and the old friends. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

August

Outgoing personality. takes risks. feeds on attention. No self-control. Kind hearted. Self-confident. Loud and boisterous. VERY revengeful. Easy to get along with and talk to. Has an "every thing's peachy" attitude. Likes
talking and singing. Loves music. Daydreamer. Easily distracted. Hates not being trusted. BIG imagination. Loves to be loved. Hates studying. in need of "that someone". Longs for freedom. Rebellious when withheld or restricted. Lives by "no pain no gain" caring. Always a suspect. Playful. Mysterious. "charming" or "beautiful" to everyone. stubborn. curious. Independent. Strong willed. A fighter.

September

Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Usually you have many friends. Enjoys to make love. Emotional. Stubborn. Hasty. Good memory. Moving, motivates oneself and others. Loves to travel and explore. Sometimes sexy in a way that only their lover can understand.

October

Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to takes things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn't pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Brave and fearless. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care to control emotions. Unpredictable. Extremely smart, but definitely the hottest AND sexiest of them all.

November

Trustworthy and loyal. Very passionate and dangerous. Wild at times. Knows how to have fun. Sexy and mysterious. Everyone is drawn towards your inner and outer beauty and independent personality. Playful, but secretive. Very emotional and temperamental sometimes. Meets new people easily and very social in a group. Fearless and independent. Can hold their own. Stands out in a crowd. Essentially very smart. Usually, the greatest men are born in this month. If you ever begin a relationship with someone from this month, hold on to them because they're one of a kind.

December

This straight-up means you are the most good-looking person possible... Better than all of these other months! Loyal and generous. Patriotic. Competitive in everything. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Easy to talk to, though hard to understand. Thinks far with vision, yet complicated to know. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Has that someone always on his/her mind. Talkative. Daydreamer.Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Abiding. Able to show character. One guy/girl kind of person. Loveable. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves music.
About Me



Name: Anna Katrina Espino
Nickname: Anna, Teebak, Hanna
Alias: the original Queen B*tch and the ultimate coffee addict
Age: 20
School: Silliman University

Indulges in:
*too much debating
*junk food
*books
*sensible conversations
*coffee!
*uninterrupted sleep

Detests:
*waking up early
*airheads and dumb-dumbs
*being broke
*disrepectful people
*losing

Hopes to be:
*the best damn debater in the world!
*a kick-ass lawyer
*an author of a New York bestseller (haha!)
*an independent woman (chorva)
*the owner of a Lexus IS 220



I am the biggest procrastinator alive. I'm generally a nice person but I can be a real mean bitch when provoked. I am a coffee addict. My passion is debate. I can sleep for more than twenty-four hours, but I can also last three whole days without a wink of sleep. People say I'm an extrovert, but really, I feel otherwise. I'm just too talkative -- that's all (probably because of debating too much). I love my God. I seem happy and cheerful most of the time... just don't dare ruin my day. I hate going to classes I know I can learn better about by just reading a book (in short, I hate defective teachers). I am a frustrated writer. I like intellectual conversations over coffee, and non-sensical ones over booze. I recently discovered the wonders of tea. I love music. I sing too. Once in a while, I try composing songs, but I usually end up with unfinished stanzas. I'm a real fastfood junkie and a huge couch potato. I can watch romantic comedies ALL DAY. By the way, I am Tracy McGrady's biggest fan. I'm all for the rainbow, if you know what I mean. I hate people who don't know when to stop and I DESPISE airheads. Some know-it-all's think they got me all figured out, but really, they have NO IDEA.






Links
Bloggers!

you can find me on:

  • yahoo360
  • facebook
  • friendster
  • multiply
  • livejournal
  • tagged

    people i know

  • lametations of terrible beauty
  • of beer and pen
  • tales of the loquacious lady
  • clash of the bull and the frog
  • la Jota a la Claudia
  • pure me
  • bittersweet
  • inconvenient reality
  • constipated psyche
  • angel spring's haven
  • au naturel
  • just got lost
  • save me from this world
  • be present, be here
  • i write sins, not tragedies
  • desensitized
  • ang pagdadalaga ni bob young
  • who wants to fuck me?!
  • squisii sushii
  • potpourri
  • tig-sulat pod baya ko...
  • the vegan prince
  • wild toga party for g[r]eeks
  • fin lust
  • while staring at you
  • exit to exist
  • colored rockets

    Silliman Debate Society

  • point of information
  • the venting machine
  • markie-mark
  • kristi's second
  • bulaw daw
  • the istaki doll code
  • 9th wanderer
  • wandering step
  • moisture is the essence of wetness
  • sugar rush
  • endless bliss
  • claudiopoi
  • seafoamjazz
  • songs of my heart

    debate community

  • debate asia
  • the last vehicle
  • bad rabbit
  • free all angels
  • tickle me pink
  • bad boy of senti
  • coffee is me
  • food for thought
  • Rosseau
  • paranoid pluto
  • a woman without equal
  • bok's den
  • alzhoeir hajim
  • the adventures of zed
  • peppermint streak
  • viewing the world
  • for the times a-changin'
  • brackets
  • here goes whatever
  • ang munting bukayo

    mga char

  • writing on air
  • spy in the sandwich
  • ala-ism
  • notes from the peanut gallery
  • pebbles and sex

    Forums

  • Visayas Debate Union
  • Mindanao Parliamentary Debate Union

    The freak recommends:

  • world debate website
  • debate and issue 101
  • Philippine short stories
  • RENT the Musical
  • Sham Sports - real funny stuff
  • Tracy McGrady
  • That 70's Show
  • Horny Manatee
  • youtube
  • blogthings
  • blogskins
  • ultimate guitar
  • The Guardian
  • BBC website


    my beloved peeps. haha.






















    Let bygones be bygones
    January 2006
    May 2006
    July 2006
    August 2006
    September 2006
    October 2006
    November 2006
    December 2006
    January 2007
    February 2007
    March 2007
    April 2007
    June 2007
    July 2007
    August 2007
    September 2007
    October 2007
    November 2007
    December 2007
    January 2008
    February 2008
    March 2008
    April 2008
    June 2008
    July 2008
    December 2009
    January 2010




    hit counter: