Following the concept of news shorts (blame it on my journalism background), I'll let you guys in on what's been going on in my life for the period of time that I was MIA (missing in action). I'll use a style that I'd like to call 'blog shorts.' Why the hell am I doing this? Wala lang. I just think it would be nice to do something new, cool, and fun. I like experimenting. Hehe... ;P

AUGUST BABIES HOLD BDAY BASH

PARANAQUE, METRO MANILA - In celebration of the 20th birthday of Rachelle Grace* (August 6), Maureen Bien* (August 15), and Kristine Isabel* (August 19), the Shungak Barkada held a sleepover party from the evening of August 18 until the next day. There were no classes in Ateneo following Quezon City day.

Activities included dinner and karaoke at Japanese restaurant To-ma-to, a film viewing of "The Stepford Sisters" at Greenbelt 3, conversations over pizza and popcorn, and a DVD marathon.

The event's sponsor Kristine Isabel said, "Ang saya-saya naman. Ang dami natin. [This is so much fun. There are so many of us.]" The three celebrants, Mitzi*, Blooey*, Chattie*, Jing*, Joshua*, and Kenneth* were present. Joseph* made a special appearance as Blooey's date to the dinner.

* Full names have not been disclosed to protect identities.

AB STUDENT MAKES UNILEVER FIRST CUT

An Interdisciplinary Studies student at the Ateneo de Manila University has made it to the first cut of UNILEVER Philippines' Business Week.

Rachelle Grace* was among the lucky less than 50% who passed the initial screening of the company. About a thousand students all over Metro Manila have applied to be one of the 40 students UNILEVER will sponsor for business training. The chosen delegates will enjoy full accommodation-hotel, food, and allowance during a week-long business workshop aimed at developing the future leaders of the company.

* The full name has not been disclosed to protect the individual.

LEX AIDS THOSE 'GOING LAW-CO OVER LAW'

The Ateneo LEX, a law and business organization, is sponsoring a series of projects to aid students in preparing for law school.

Under the "Going Law-Co over Law" project are talks by the top law schools (UP, Ateneo, and San Beda), a fair, and a trip.

The talks feature students and teachers from the different law schools. Topics include application procedures, law school life, organizations, and the bar, among other things.

The fair will be held the week of August 23. The various law schools will have booths for application and for information dissemination.

The law school trip will be on August 28. It involves a visit to the UP School of Law and Ateneo Rockwell. Tickets are sold at PhP 120. For more information, contact LEX.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Okay, as an editorial to my blog shorts:

* The sleepover was super fun!!! There's nothing like a combination of bowls of rice, tempura, wine, bad singing, a good think movie, conversation, animated rides, a special guest, DVDs, comfy couches and beds, and no or very little sleeping to bond friends. As in the Might Bond sort of bonding, if you know what I mean.

Sidenote 1: Taskeen, super sayang di ka nakapunta. Ikaw lang kulang. Dapat next time we're complete. And next time should be soon enough. I hope we get more no classes.

Sidenote 2: Shungaks: Thank you. I had a wonderful time. :)

People, I recommend "The Stepford Wives" to you. I didn't know what it was about at first because it wasn't very well-promoted here in the Philippines. But let me tell you, I am so glad we were able to catch the last full show of it at Greenbelt 3. It's very insightful.

"The Stepford Wives" is about gender relations. It's not feminist. I promise. Inuunahan ko na kayo. Baka sabihin na naman ng ilang tao diyan eh handa na ako mag-rally sa Mendiola. Like that's what feminism is. What stereotyping! Anyway... It does showcase the gender differences and challenges it, but I think the treatment was fair. Even my guy friends admitted that. It's just an exaggerated version of reality designed to make viewers think. Think hard at that. And, I must say, Nicole Kidman sure is something.

And oh, I just wanna share. I saw Bong Revilla, John Estrada, and Dave Villar hanging out at the Greenbelt resto strip. Greenbelt is so celebrity infested nowadays. AND I SAW SARAH MEIER!!!

I like Sarah Meier. She is soooooo pretty. She's really tall, very model-slim, has noticeably beautiful facial features, and is very fashionable. She had a nice blouse, long-skirt, and sandals on when I caught a glimpse of her. The best thing about her is her personality. Catch her on MTV and you'll know what I'm talking about. For a girl who has everything everybody else wants to have, she's quite grounded. She's fun and witty. I actually wanted to come up to her and ask for an autograph. The only thing that stopped me was, well aside from the embarrassment of being such a fanatic, the fact that she really looked like she just wanted a fun evening out without people fussing all over her.

* My home department gave me a UNILEVER Business Week application form. At first, I was like, "Huh? Me? What am I gonna do there? I am an AB student by heart. I don't think I can swallow corporatism." But my dad made me reconsider. Well, I guess he's right. Sayang din naman lalo na pinili lang kaming mga binigyan, 7 or 8 lang yata. Since it's just a page anyway, I filled up the form and passed it at our Placement Office.

After that, I totally forgot about it. But several days ago, a girl from UNILEVER called me to say that I passed the first screening and I am being called in for first interview. The interview schedule they gave me was in conflict with some school stuff so I cancelled. I thought that that was it, that I blew my big chance. But they were nice enough to re-schedule me so I guess I'm going. My interview is later today. I am not naman sobrang wanting to get in like I'd do whatever it takes. I'm definitely interested but publications, NGOs, and people organizations are more my thing. I'll just put my best foot forward and leave it up to fate. If it's for me then it's for me, if not then that's the way it is. It's good enough to be included in the first cut considering that so many people applied.

* I am making the most out of the "Going Law-Co over Law" series of activities by LEX. I went to the UP and Ateneo talks. I am going to the fair and the trip.

All these is making me think really hard. I need to decide whether I'll go to law school or not. I need a definite decision. And I need it soon. This is making me feel lost. I am assessing and re-assessing my dreams, my life plans, my family situation, my calling, etc. Advice anyone? I'd either take law or pursue a masteral degree in journalism. Whatcha think? I like both. There really is no comparing. Argh! Choices, choices...