A miracle just happened: I went home early. Well, at least to my Mom it's a miracle (and she's quite happy about it.) And why? Because instead of helping out my brods and sis in a certain activity tonight, I decided to just go home and rest. This day has been anything but fun. And there are so many things running through my mind. Plus - I'm hurting inside (wahaha). No, really. To top it all off, the rain is making me extremely senti. And yes, I am complaining.



Tomorrow is the debut of my column on the Weekly Sillimanian. Some of the staffers told me they liked what I wrote, while Odie (the Editor-in-chief - slash - battered debate partner) said he wasn't expecting it. I say it was simply a nicer way of saying, "your column sucks!" But I can't really trust my instincts right now due to my overly melodramatic state. But actually, the only reaction I'm dreading is my Mom's. The column is about her, by the way. As much as I think I praised her enough in the article, she might see things differently. Anyway, I'll post what I wrote here later, when the paper is already out. So you can relate, hehe.

Anyway, I also received blank looks when I told people that my permanent column name is "The Writ of Ampao." And it also got an unpleasant look from Noel. He said people won't understand what I mean by it. And when I started getting agitated, he tried to take it back by saying that it's cool because I'm being 'elitist' by choosing my audience. Whatever. If my column name becomes a flop, I so blame Clyde and RJ for over-encouraging me to use it.



I'm on the process of finishing our entry for the Valentine Songwriting Competition. Deadline is this Saturday, and I'm almost done with the melody. I'm really pressured and all because Jordan gave me really good lyrics. I just hope our song turns out fine. We're just in it for fun anyway, right jord? =)

The song is sounding kinda Mandy Moore-ish... which I think is a good thing, because I adore her. Her songs are very sincere and are great to listen to. Plus, she has poetry in her lyrics, and the lyrics Jordan gave me is nothing but poetic.



I'm still so stressed out about DIPDC. The competition is slated for December 8, but we still have lots to do. The only thing I'm worried about, though, is the participants. I hope more schools could join. I might be training beginners tomorrow so wish me luck. Gosh. For the love of debating. Hahay. It's a good thing next week is Intrams week, then I could have time to iron things out. I'm cheering for my kids from Science High. Battle of the Trainors! haha.

Speaking of debate, VUDC (Visayan Universities Debate Championship) is getting near, and I will need all the training I could get. I plan to win the championship (char). No, really, I hope I could at least get to the finals. But before that, we still have the Sandurot Cup next week (where Noel, Kristi and I will kick ass) and the St. Paul Debate (where Noel, Kristi, Odie and I will kick ass as well).



Ugh. If I had the words to describe what I feel right now, I would. But I don't. All I can say is that it hurts.so.bad. To hell with rainy days. Hehe. Drama. Lyde, coffee ta!

I've been really senti lately. Maybe it's the rain. Or the fact that I'm so tired from all the drama going on. Or maybe it's... HIM. Haha. Secret.

Anyway, I want to share my latest playlist to you guys. I highly recommend these songs if you've been feeling the way I have... you know, to accompany you in your emotional state. Somehow. Hehe.

Grab a mug of hot choco and lock yourself in your room while it's raining outside. Crank up the volume and happy listening!

Senti Playlist:

1. Till I Get Over You - Michelle Branch -> Typical sad song. But what's nice about this one is it could be perfect backgound song for throwing things around your room. Try it...

2. Colors - Amos Lee -> This is one of my favorite songs from the Just Like Heaven soundtrack. Extremely senti.

3. I'm Falling - MYMP -> This song gave me goosebumps and butterflies. And eventually made me want to tear my hair off. Waaah.

4. Be Be Your Love - Rachel Yamagata -> For everyone who deserves to be loved. Wahahaha. I'm so senti!!! Scary!

5. Collide - Howie Day -> Lately, this has been the theme song of my life. Wala lang. It's so... nice to listen to. Hehe.

6. Like A Star - Corinne Bailey Rae -> I kept listening to this song over and over when I was in Indonesia. It's awesome. I love CBR. Check out her other songs too. =)

7. Everything - Lifehouse -> This one is actually a Christian song too. I think it's Smallville's theme.

8. Cannonball - Damien Rice -> Look for the acoustic version. It's nicer than the original one.

9. Colourblind - Counting Crows -> Very slow, very emotional song. This was part of Cruel Intentions' soundtrack

10. Across the Universe - The Beatles -> Waaaah!!! Tear-jerker.

11. Fix You - Coldplay -> This is actually my song for my barkada. That reminds me, it's our 4th anniversary on November 22!

12. Cool With You - Jennifer Love Hewitt -> t's kinda upbeat but it's still a senti song anyway. I think Nina has a better version.

13. Best I Ever Had - Vertical Horizon -> One of my all time favorites! The best song to scream to when drunk. But it's also perfectly fine while sober.

14. Nearness of You - Norah Jones -> I'd want this to be played in my wedding. First dance of the Bride and Groom. (yuck...) Listen to the lyrics.

15. Officially Missing You - Tamia -> This one is never absent in my playlist during rainy days. Don't you just love it? Hehe.

16. Umbrella - Mandy Moore -> I didn't like the Rihanna version. This one is really soothing. Nice.

There you go. If you have other senti-song suggestions for me, it'll be greatly appreciated!

Just got home from NDC, and it's a bit sad that my Mom and my two sisters weren't there to welcome me back. They went to Leyte yesterday and totally didn't tell me. Hmpf. Well, at least my Dad was able to pick me up from the airport.

Initially, I thought that the NDC was my worst tournament ever. I felt like my debates were awful and that I wasn't in my 'element,' whatever that means. After three rounds, I was tempted to just pack and go home... seeing as I wasn't enjoying the rounds at all. And odie and I were off to a really rough start.

In hindsight, I guess it wasn't that bad. Sure, I didn't really reach my expectation of myself (yuck) but I'm glad I was able to break in my first NDC. Not only that, I was really able to bond with the other debaters and get to know our kids much better. =) The biggest challenge I faced, though was having to deal with early morning baths of ice cold water. Yep, no heater everyone. Que Horror!

Ok. Since I'm much more comfortable making lists, here are the reasons why I LOVE the PMA NDC:

1. We broke into the Octos! (sorry, i guess this was already established in the previous paragraphs, but hey) I couldn't really ask for anything more than that. ^_^ Plus, three Silliman teams broke! Last year, we only had two. Now THAT is an achievement. =)

2. Moments at NAKAR... I guess Room 18 (the boys' room) would be forever remembered. We bonded so much there - talking, eating, laughing, hitting on each other (wahaha), seeing Biatch naked, etc. etc. Sure it wasn't some fancy hotel, but we had so much fun together, i would not have minded sleeping in tents. hehe.

3. Psycho stalker. Enough said. Sa makasabot lang!!! wahahaha. Great laughs. ^_^

4. The debate community is awesome! Debaters are definitely the best people I know. Got closer to the Mindanao people - especially ADDU, ADZU, MSU-M and XU. They're really cool. I can't wait to debate with them in VISMIN again. And since ADDU won the bid, we're bound for Davao next year... yay! Go South!

5. Baguio is to die for. Kristi, Odie, Noel and I spent hours over coffee kanina, just talking about how much we would love to go back to Baguio and just ditch Dumaguete. Noel was close to tears. Hehe. Just kidding. ;p

6. Cadets are hot. haha. Seriously, I wasn't really boywatching or anything but someone caught my fancy! heehee. I am SO not telling. And to those people who know, SHHHHHH. It's just a tourney crush anyway - nothing serious. I have one or two every single time. Blah.

7. Adrian Rabe gave me a 76! Sorry - this is a feat for me already, considering that it's THE Aids Rabe we're talking about, and round 6 was just awful. Hehe. Toinkz. =)

8. The lessons learned. I'm forever going to treasure them talaga. Going up against the best debaters in the country just made me realize how much passion people can have for the craft. And I thought I was an addict, hehe. I'm sure I emerged a better debater (and person) after the tourney. =)


And here are the things I promise to do after PMA (because I didn't expect NDC to be THAT HARD):

1. Brush up on my construction. I was such a bad constructive speaker in the tournament - all the low scores I had were when we were opening. Hmpf. I just don't get it. Before, the guys kept telling me to stop whipping (I originally preferred to be whip when I was starting out) and start being a constructive speaker because they say that my whip speeches were better off constructive. And when I finally shifted, I kinda liked constructing na and even had a knack for meta arguments. And now that I'm back to whipping, it's like I completely lost touch of the constructive speaker in me. UGH. must.do.better.

2. Ok. I know that a lot of really good debaters have their 'hated' positions (except for Noel who can do anything, BLAH) but they could still do very well in tournaments. I, however, am not so good yet and still have to learn everything there is to learn about debating. And so, even though I completely detest it, and it has been proven that I suck at it SO BAD, I'm going to start training as a Prime Minister. WAAAH. (I can hear the other debaters laughing at the idea right now... Yes, I am THAT BAD.) Wish me luck.

3. I need to save up... probably look for a job or something. Gosh - Baguio was just too expensive, I had barya for pocket money. Debating is such an expensive vice. But I'm not quitting it. ^_^ I need to scrape for moolah!

4. I'm going to train our kids like crazy! I just realized how much the debate community has grown, and has changed. Before, you know who to expect in the finals (they are now dinos who still show up every now and then) - but last NDC, the tournament was just filled with so many new faces... rookies who KICK ASS. It was scary. Gica Mangahas is the 3rd Freshman to win the NDC... after Bobby and Leloy. And you know how the latter two performed for the rest of their debate careers. Definitely a new era... WAAAH. I hope I can keep up. =)

Anyway, that's all for now. I hope to see you all in the next NDC!