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TRY638

To unlock the trunk, 'try 638'

SQN Issue 1 out today

The first issue of Sine Qua Non, our school’s publication was finally released.

Proudly, it’s the first issue bearing my name on top of the Editorial Board. That’s right; it’s official. Quite a lot had transpired since the EIC post was initially offered to me but as it turned out, it’s still for me. This is among the good (so far) results of my decision to be a fulltime student again.

Of course it’s not all about “elevating one’s own seat” as a proverb goes - I wouldn’t have made it if it wasn’t for the trust and support of my colleagues: Aby and Bert, mentors and friends; RC, friend and former EIC, the first to invite me to join the editorial board and with whom I have no grumbles being Associate Editor then and to the rest of incumbent staffs of the paper for their enthusiasm to contribute and willingness to be trained.

The latest SQN issue isn’t without flaw. I haven’t seen the other articles until the template was in the press awaiting the go for reproduction which somehow could be attributed to the delay of settling my appointment as Chief Editor pending my fulltime status. Let the minor mistakes be reminders that next time we ought to be more meticulous to details as we strive to uphold the core of our trademark ‘that without which is not’.

Quiltessence, my column

Relief: An Element of Exam that is a Subset of Math

Classes had resumed and the first few days were spent getting back if not checking our exam papers for the recent grading period. Our instructor in Discrete Math gave the first dreadful news of 2009: that only two in the class passed the prelim exams. I still could mimic very well how emphasis was provided to the word ‘passed’ implying scores which merely gripped the rope’s end therefore aren’t very impressive. My! We’re shaking our heads as we looked at each other anxiously.

Who could be the lucky ‘survivors?

Four test booklets were handed out then mine. A glance to the score box at the cover and I looked to the ceiling in gratitude – I made it. True enough, I got exactly half of the total correctly. Eventually, the other guy scored the same.

Flashback to last month… Admittedly, most of us underestimated that exam. Personally, I reviewed on all my subjects except on that. Our seatwork and quizzes were basically deriving sets. Absolute complements, unions and intersections. We’re accustomed that reference sets were given therefore minimal brainwork is required. We’re just shocked to see that in the exams, more effort is necessary since we need to solve for the reference sets themselves to be able to advance to the succeeding items. Risky indeed! An early mistake guarantees later errors; GIGO principle.

I used to be more competitive during my earlier years in college. But as time passed by, many factors downgraded that competitiveness. Increment in age mean more responsibilities. More things to do would occasionally exhaust me. Exhaustion leads to lesser concentration which eventually results to memory lapses. However I’ve not given up. I still give my best to sustain my diligence as a student. It’s just that today, I reward myself with healthy leniency. Let the others reap the medals. Every experience, lessons learned and friends gained are priceless trophies.

Besides, in the overall rating for Discrete Math, I ranked second so far. Three more grading periods; so help me God.

Two, O’s and Nine

Two. The first two movies I watched this year were ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Mysterious Skin’. Coincidentally, both stories ‘happened’ in mid-late December; ‘Sex’ on New Year actually.

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It’s the Year of the Ox!

And oh, it’s my sign and so I’ve made a checklist out of what gotohoroscope.com has to say about Ox people:

The Ox is the sign of prosperity through fortitude and hard work…

1. Such people are dependable, calm and modest: True
2. Unswervingly patient, tireless in his work, and capable of enduring any amount of hardship without complaint: Fairly true
3. Needs peace and quiet to work through his/her ideas: Yup
4. and when he/she has set his/her mind on something it is hard for him/her to be convinced otherwise: Somewhat true esp. if it’s my reputation’s at stake .
5. has a very logical mind: Yep
6. and is extremely systematic in whatever he/she does, : Drop the ‘extremely’ and it could qualify for true
7. in spite of a total lack of imagination: Nope
8. These people speak little: No
9. but are intelligent,: Ahem!
10. and when necessary, they are both articulate and eloquent: Always ‘necessary’
11. The ox person is not extravagant, and the thought of living off credit cards or being in debt makes him/her nervous: *Trembling*
12. The possibility of taking a serious risk could cause the ox person many sleepless nights: True
13. These people are truthful and sincere: In intentions, yes. But politeness could interfere when I have to say it
14. the idea of wheeling and dealing in a competitive world is distasteful to them: Not absolutely; just not plunging into it headon
15. Rarely driven by the prospect of financial gain: Yep
16. These people are always welcome because of their honesty and patience: very much
17. They have many friends: yes
18. are rather introverted and wary of new trends: somewhat yes
19. although every now and then they can be encouraged to try something new: yes
20. ox people are sociable and relaxed when they feel secure: fairly true
21. can be very naive about affairs of the heart: *nods*
22. It takes time for him/her to develop intimate relationships: true
23. and show his/her feelings,: always shown, hard to say
24. but once such person is committed, the partner will be totally loved and trusted: Yes!
25. Ox people are observant; they have remarkable memories and are good at reporting on absolutely everything they observe: Very true
26. approach work seriously and as long as they are not forced into the public eye they are able to think clearly and plan meticulously: yep
27. They maybe not too fast when it comes to making decisions: *singing* Let’s take it slow, so slow…
28. but they are a skilled organizers and logical thinkers: yes
29. It is suitable for the ox to know his/her schedule or timetable and although he/she can rise to challenges and, to some extent, deal with the unpredictable; the ox would rather be well-informed: Yes, please?
30. and work within a fixed framework: Uh-oh

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That’s sooO me

Fashion Trends S/S ’09 takes on ‘almost androgynous’ with its cuts and colors. Since I won’t be able to pull off the baggy pieces, I might as well embrace the cuts and colors, few at a time. Truly, the palettes either soothe the busy person or uplift a dull disposition whichever is the case. Fashion isn’t for the modern man, style is. Adding ‘M’ to eccentric makes ‘me-ccentric’!

(Photos from cosmoworlds.com)

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Nine goals and resolutions for this year

1. Get in good shape
2. Sustain #1
3. Try the thing called “savings”
4. Finish college
5. Seek career advancement; whatever form it takes
6. Create a new header for this blog
7. Release a second issue of the school paper (usually there’s just one per year)
8. Signup for another business
9. Outdo a book-turned-movie. I.e., finish the book before its movie is released

New Year

New Year eve was typical. Not downright boring but that’s just how it is for our family every year. Dad and mom would prepare some food which we would bring over grandma’s place few minutes away from ours. This is because dear grandma would only commute to the church on Sundays and their lot is the clan’s empire and ‘White House’. We would eat dinner as soon as the table is set and grace is said then keep ourselves busy with anything (equals the tube or chitchat) while waiting for the midnight bang. This year, were two Angelina Jolie films.

The elderly folks weren’t even enthusiastic for photo ops so we – the Youngblood – just took this souvenir shot in the bedroom. However, total attendance was 8.



The clock struck 12 and we all rushed outside to check the fireworks-lit sky of 2009.




Nothing impressive with the photos, I know. Two things: the resolution of my phone’s camera and the city ordinance that banned selling and purchase of firecrackers. This was the first time the local government issued the ordinance. As expected, it couldn’t make a tradition obsolete but neither did it fail. Not the smallest firecracker or sparklers were sold in the public market. The few ones we saw in residential areas were most likely purchased from neighboring towns. Good enough my employer hosts a countdown annually hence the citizens who want to could watch a fireworks display by the bay in the Freeport.

The celebration may have been a little somber but at least pyrotechnic residues scattered on the streets as well as firecracker-related emergencies were significantly reduced.

I just wish that the New Year brings a lot of good things as interesting as spectacular fireworks and flamboyant confetti. Besides, it’s the year of the Ox; my Chinese sign.