Since this week is my last official week as a college student, I have decided to make a list of lasts which I shall update daily. This is my little way of immortalizing the little things and experiences that have become part of my Ateneo life.

Lasts for February 21 (Monday)

* last meal at Manang's - Manang's is an integral part of the Ateneo eating experience. Hindi ka Atenista kung di ka nakakain at least once sa Manang's. Talagang love na love ko ang kanilang famous inihaw, liempo, pork chop, and itlog at kamatis. All at an affordable price and set in a very cozy environment! (Does this sound like a promo? Hehe...) Haayyy... matatagalan siguro bago ako makakain ulit dun. But one thing is for sure, babalikan ko talaga ang Manang's. Gaya ng kinanta ng bata sa commercial, kapag kumakain ako doon, "Parang may isang anghel sa aking labi..."

* last guidance interview a.k.a. last psychotherapy session - I know that not a lot of people go to the guidance office regularly. In fact, some people probably haven't set foot on the guidance office since freshman year. But I am an oddity! I like going there. I drop by every sem and chart my progress/ask for guidance (duh!). I don't know. My problems, joys, vanity, crazy thoughts, et al compel me to go. It just feels good to talk and get things off one's chest. I'm lucky to have developed good relations with a certain councilor and made the most out of the services the office has to offer. This morning, we discussed career options and though I'm still confused, at least I now have some clear idea of my options.

* last carioca (I'm not sure if I got the spelling right!) - CARIOCA!!! Grabe, ngayon ko lang na-discover ito, mga January lang siguro kasi when I saw that mukhang flattened butchi na sweetened mala-banana que eh na-curious ako. I gave it a try and loved it! Magmula nun it has become part of my MWF habit. When the bell rings and announces my LitCrit class to be over, I run to the roving cafeteria in CTC and buy my treat for the day, carioca!

* last hang-out session at the Comm Dept - Well actually, more of studying than hanging out but it still feels good! I love the Comm Dept. Although it's practically another country (Jamie calls it "the island" whereas the college area is "the mainland"), it feels like the heart of the college area for me. It's just more homey compared to the other buildings which are stiff and boring. It's the only place with an open kitchen and sala. How more homey can you get? And the people! All the people I like best are there. Since it's the Comm dept, Ateneo's most creative, most funny, and most fun are there! I'm gonna miss it.

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Lasts for February 22 (Tuesday)

* last Powerpoint presentation for school - There used to be a time when I didn't know how to make Powerpoint. Now I can't think of how I survived without it. It's so useful for reports, and pretty easy too (compared to Flash and videos and stuff). I owe a lot to Mau and Tin for teaching me during all those reports for Aesthetics class.

Anyway, I mentioned Powerpoint because I started my "A paper" (I asked my teacher if I could do an "A Powerpoint" instead so that I can put a lot of pics. He agreed on the condition that I retain the parts he required for the paper. Of course I said yes 'coz that made everything so much more easier for me.) about 1 a.m. last night and I got so caught up into it that when I looked at the clock, I was surprised to find out it was already 4:30 a.m. But guess what? I finished, ahead of time! Ha! One more requirement stricken out of my long to-do list...

* yet another last meal at Manang's - I couldn't help myself!

* last creative cramming with my friends - We had the launch of GO F.I.S.H. (Festival of Interdisciplinary Studies and Humanities) this afternoon. So we set-up the stage. Pass by Dela Costa and you'll see the nets with fishes that are our wonderful last-minute creation. Hehehe... ;) Check out the works of art too. It's inside, the exhibit part - "Fresh Catch." The I.S. week includes showing of the creative theses tomorrow at 6, Dela Costa. So plugging... go watch Kthe films. Then on Thursday also at 6 in Dela Costa but this time inside, in the big conference room, we'll be having I.S. night. My friends Mitzi and Josh are performing. It ought to be a lot of fun so catch it if you can.

* last overnight - It's my good friend Jamie Santos' birthday today so in just a few minutes she'll be fetching me and we'll have a sleepover at her place: celebration and review for Philo orals rolled into one no-sleeping evening!

* phone rings, Rachelle answers *

Okay, that was Jamie. She's on her way already so gtg! Tomorrow ulit.

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Lasts for February 23 (Wednesday)

* last orals - After the Theo pair final orals yesterday and the Philo individual orals this morning, I wouldn't have any more orals in my life--pair or otherwise. Ma-mimiss ko siguro 'yung halong tension and excitement ng orals. Not to mention the dressing up which is an experience rin. Tsaka nothing can compare to that post-orals feeling. The 10/15 minutes of adrenaline rush, mental exercise, and use of charms makes one feel so alive. And I'll miss the A's of course. Hehehe... I got an A, flat 4, for Theo and Philo. What a nice way to cap my orals experience. Thanks Sir Manaloto and Sir Lagliva.

* last written exam - My very hard Western Literature exam is my last for this sem, this school year, this college life. I only have papers to finish until Monday.

* last trip to the library - Well, yeah, I'd need to go there for clearance but today's trip was the last actually going there to study. Siguro kahit after mga 5 years na I return as an alumni, I'll know my way around the library. Halos tumira rin ako doon nung nagre-research ako for my thesis! And how many books have I borrowed there, both required and for leisure reading? Grabe, countless! And of course, my fave xerox lady is there. Para mag-survive ng college, kailangan ng super close na xerox lady. Ate has helped me so many times especially during my last minute xerox-to-OHP-for-instat-report moments tsaka pagpapa-xerox ko ng buong libro na kailangan sa Lit classes at di ako makahanap sa bookstore. Ma-mimiss ko si Ate, her friendly grin and her crisp xerox pages. Talagang grateful ako sa lahat ng naitulong niya sa akin. At bukod pa dun, medyo may special significance rin ang lib sa lovelife ko dahil ang mga nerd na kinalolokohan ko tulad nina Orange at Yellow eh palaging nandoon. In fact, I associate certain spots in the library with memories of them. Si Orange sa Periodicals, si Yellow sa lib annex 2nd floor sa may bukana.

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Lasts for February 24 (Thursday)

* last no class day - Argh! I'm gonna miss these "free days" 'coz I'm sure I wouldnt have any more come the time I get a job. Actually, I didn't really get to rest 'coz I was all over school researching for some final papers and interviewing for my final article. Still, having a spare day to be able to do anything one wants to is one luxury college has afforded me and I really don't want to let go of. *sigh*

* last extra-curricular activity - GO F.I.S.H!, the Festival of Interdisciplinary Studies and Humanities, culminated with a big performance night. My friends Mitzi and Josh performed some numbers from their creative theses ('coz they did albums!), there was lots of food (I love Yellow Cab pizza!), the ambiance was so cozy (medyo nag-moment nga ako eh! too bad sina Mau, Tin, Jing, and Bloo lang kayakap ko! whooshoo!!! sentir sentir!), the music was great of course, and it was just fun. Kakapagod pero ang saya!

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Lasts for February 25 (Friday)

* last article - I'm sure I would still write (a lot actually!) after college but those would be "real-life writing" --either for my pleasure or for work. It wouldn't be the same as papers required for school that have both elements of adventure and frustration. There's adventure because choosing the topic is fun. Also, enjoying something that would earn one a good grade is hitting two birds with one stone. But then again, deadlines are always frustrating, especially when a case of writer's block sets in. It's good I have a steady supply of chips, rootbeer, sweets, and CDs to fight it. On the good side, deadlines serve as motivation. I can't believe I have written so many articles for writing classes and for iATENEO this schoolyear alone. I'm gonna miss my writing classes. I'm gonna miss iATENEO. But I'll never miss writing because I'll never stop doing it. You can trust that my byline will appear is some publication or another every once in a while.

* last all-nighter - This is in relation to that last article. Haayyy... sa wakas! Tapos na ang mga sabog nights for school!!! Siguro after my very last requirement which is due tomorrow, babawi talaga ako sa tulog. Hirap na hirap kasi ako sa sitwasyong hindi ako masyado nakakatulog. Alam niyo naman, I need my beauty rest. May pagka-mantika ako sa pagtulog. Miss na miss ko na 'yung kama ko! Grabe, ayos na ayos pa. Walang gusot ni konti. Kasi this week hindi ko nahigaan. As in! Not once! Nung Monday nag-all nighter ako to finish my "A PPT" sa Theo. Aakyat pa lang sana ako para magpahinga dumating na ang Theo orals partner ko na si Christcel so wala na. (Siguro medyo na-traumatize 'yun at the sight of me in sando and in shorts, super gulo ng buhok with bloodshot eyes when I let her in sa dorm!) Tuesday night I was at Jamie's nga. I was able to rest a bit nung Wednesday night although late na akong nakauwi from GO F.I.S.H.! pero di pa rin ako nakatulog sa bed kasi dito ako sa couch sa sala nakatulog. Nag-iinternet ako when I got transported to Dream Land. Sayang nga, naiwang bukas ang internet. Tapos ayun nga, I was up kanina. Haayyy... gagalawin ko naman ang kama ko. Aakyat na ako at matutulog dun for the first time ever this week.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..............