But it's better if you do

Sigh

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:41:02 -0400

Klaus: There is a word in German: Lebenslangerschicksalsschatz. And the closest translation would be… “Lifelong Treasure of Destiny.” And Victoria is wunderbar, but she is not my Lebenslangerschicksalsschatz. She is my Beinaheleidenschaftsgegenstand, you know? You know wunderbar but you don’t know Beinaheleidenschaftsgegenstand? That is something we learn in kindergarten. I’m sorry, “kindergarten” is the German word for–
Ted: No, no, I know that one.
Klaus: Oh, okay. But you don’t know Beinaheleidenschaftsgegenstand? You are maddeningly inconsistent. It means… “the thing that is almost the thing that you want…but it’s not quite.” Das ist Victoria to me.
Ted: How do you know she’s not Lebenslangerschicksalsschatz? I mean, maybe as the years go by, she’ll get Lebenslangerschicksalsschatz-ier.
Klaus: Oh, nein, nein, nein. Lebenslangerschicksalsschatz is not something that develops over time. It is something that happens instantaneously. It courses through you like the water of a river after a storm… …filling you and emptying you all at once. You feel it throughout your body… In your hands… in your heart… in your stomach… …in your skin… Of course you feel it in your Schlauchmachendejungen. Pardon my French. Have you ever felt this way about someone?
Ted: Yeah, I think so.
Klaus: If you have to think about it, you have not felt it.
Ted: And you’re absolutely sure you’ll find that someday?
Klaus: Of course. Everyone does eventually. You just never know when or where.
Ted: (narrates) And he was right. Unfortunately, the “when” of it was still a little ways down the road. But the “where” of it?

"All my life is changing everyday in every possible way..."

Thu, 31 May 2012 23:14:41 -0400

Rain

To see and hear rain falling symbolizes forgiveness and grace. Falling rain is also a metaphor for tears, crying and sadness. Alternatively, rain symbolizes fertility and renewal. If you get wet from the rain, then it indicates cleaning from your troubles and problems.

Towel

To see or use a towel in your dream suggests that you need to deal with your emotions in order to move forward in your life. You need to find some sort of a resolution. Alternatively, it represents completion, a fresh start and new transition.

Door

To dream that the door is closed or locked signifies opportunities that are denied and not available to you or that you have missed out on. Something or someone is blocking your progress. It also symbolizes the ending of a phase or project. In particular, if you are outside the locked door, then it suggests that you have anti-social tendencies. If you are inside the locked door, then it represents harsh lessons that need to be learned.

Boss

To see your boss in your dream represents the bossy or authoritative side of your own personality. Your boss may reveal self-confidence and the assertive aspect of yourself. It is telling of your issues of control and authority. Alternatively, to see your boss in your dream may indicate your over-involvement or obsession with your work. Negatively, the boss in your dream may symbolize your limitations and lack of freedom/originality.

"All my life is changing everyday in every possible way..."

Thu, 31 May 2012 23:10:36 -0400

Insights on my 5/30/2012 dream. Taken from http://www.dreammoods.com/

Rain

Towel

Door

Boss

Classmates

To see old classmates in your dream indicate that you need to draw on your old associations with your former classmates to gain insight in some current relationship. It represents a past lesson that you have learned and is applicable in some aspect of your waking life now.

Children

To see children in your dream signify an aspect of yourself and your childlike qualities. You may be retreating back to a childlike state and longing for the past. You are trying to still satisfy repressed desires and unfulfilled hopes. Perhaps there is something that you need to see grow and nurture. Take some time off and cater to the inner child within. Alternatively, the dream may be highlighting your innocence, purity, simplicity, and carefree attitude. If you are fighting with children, then it implies that you are repressing your inner child. The children could represent someone in your waking life (coworker, mate, sibling, etc.) who is acting like a child. If you see children fighting in your dream, then it means that your sense of morality and character are in conflict.

Running

To dream that you are running alone refers to your determination and motivation in the pursuit of your goals. You will find success and rise above those around you. Alternatively, the dream may mean that you need to hurry up in making a decision.

Staircase

To see a staircase in your dream symbolizes change and transformation.

Bathroom

To dream that you can not find the bathroom or that you have difficulties finding one indicates that you have difficulties in releasing and expressing your emotions. You are holding back your true feelings about something.

Crush

To dream that you have a crush on somebody is a literal reflection of your attraction and fascination for that person. To see your crush in your dream represents your current infatuation with him or her. If you find yourself thinking about him during the day, then it is not surprising that his image will appear in your dream during the night. If you dream of your crush frequently, then your dream maybe be telling you that it is time to let this person know how you feel, especially if you are dreaming of him or her in a good way. Only good things can happen from you telling your crush. Even if he or she is not interested, at least you can move on and stop wasting time on him or her.

I'm in the mood to overthink: "West liked Teaching"

Sun, 06 May 2012 04:38:30 -0400

I was looking at my timeline this afternoon and saw the first thing on the Activity portion:

West liked Teaching. LIKED. It somehow has a sad ring to it. I know Facebook is actually supposed to state in past tense whenever you “liked” a page or an activity or a personality but how “”West liked Teaching” sounded so… I don’t know.

I used to like teaching. I think I still do. But after much hurtful experiences for the past 2.5 years do I still want to go back to teaching?

#emo #arte #overthinking

Nyahaha. Not another chem joke you borons....

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:16:50 -0400

Nyahaha. Not another chem joke you borons. xP

fuckyeahpuns:

chempotcheng: (via the-absolute-funniest-posts)

LOLZ whatjedsaid: this does not get old.

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 08:14:10 -0400

LOLZ

whatjedsaid:

this does not get old.

sedricke: dysrhythmic: baddie: chudessny: eft: (nansan:petra...

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:41:46 -0400

sedricke:

dysrhythmic:

baddie:

chudessny:

eft:

(nansan:petradactyl:)

From Jeanette Winterson’s Boating for Beginners: “Besides, Mrs. Munde wanted to talk about the Hallelujah Hamburger.”

From Michael Chabon’s Mysteries of Pittsburgh: “…she was intent on fooling with her piles of books and did not glance up.”

From Daniel H. Wilson, Ph.D.’s Where’s My Jetpack?: “…rising straight up into the air like a helicopter for a vertical takeoff.”

Antonio whispers in his ear, “If you don’t mind, I really prefer being on top.”

-Miguel Syjuco’s “Ilustrado”

From Ian McEwan’s Atonement: “…heat, was growing, and then flickered and seemed to recede. It would be Hardman…”

“Just before they fell asleep, Stripe hugged Yellow.” -Trina Paulus’ Hope For The Flowers.

Awww.

The New Year's Eve Blog Post

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 04:36:14 -0500

NOTHING. I really can’t force myself to write when I don’t feel like it. For example, I told myself to start writing my thesis this Christmas vacation but I didn’t. However, since this is the end of 2011, I have to write something.

2011 sucked big time. Things/people are messed up at work, leading to my resignation. Mom got sick and then the business trip she went on turned bad. My grandparents’ health started dwindling as well. I reached the height of my loneliness/depression because of being single. Those and all other misfortunes.

But these are the things I’m very thankful for this year:

1. Our family is happy and complete for the holidays. My parents are supportive of my decisions and always ready to lend an ear for my problems.

2. I have wonderful wonderful friends who stayed with me and kept me sane all throughout the year: College friends, Pharm Chem friends, Other friends, drinking buddies, exercise buddies.

3. Things at grad school are really great. I passed the compre exams and I have a really good thesis adviser.

4. I did not get sick this year. I also started to exercise and take care of my health seriously through weight training, yoga, cardio ex.

5. Most importantly, I learned a lot of lessons from everything bad that happened this year.

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope 2012 will be better for all of us. :)

You have to love this

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:19:52 -0500

You have to love this

A Young Man's Diary: Date a Guy Who Loves

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:47:37 -0500

A Young Man's Diary: Date a Guy Who Loves:

thediaryofayoungman:

Date a guy who loves. Date that someone who has one huge heart. He is that person who is capable of loving and is sensitive, in such a good way that you will be able to value the emotions of others. He never really wants to hurt anyone, since he knows for himself how terrible it feels to carry a…

Everything's peachy but I love studying

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 19:59:58 -0500

AUGUST BABY
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. Repost in 5 mins and you will meet the love of your life sometime next month.

pepsiice: binsbilyas: New Desktop Wallpaper. Something to keep...

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:35:00 -0500

pepsiice:

binsbilyas:

New Desktop Wallpaper. Something to keep me inspired. Notice that the laptop’s named Toshiba at the top image while it’s HP at the bottom. I have to change it since I didn’t know that Stiles will be an HP. Lewl. Well this has been a trepidating bore by binsbilyas.

[gusto ko lang pong sabihin, sobrang bilib na bilib ako sa talent nitong batang ‘to. bihira ang ganyan, at sana mabigyan sya ng chance na maipakita sa mundo ang kaya niyang gawin.]

checkoutcounter: I searched whole night for a copy of this...

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:33:56 -0500

checkoutcounter:

I searched whole night for a copy of this movie. Erielle and I saw the movie back in August but I still found myself laughing at the transformation scene last night.

“Gogora na aketch. Jumescape from azkaban na naman ang beauty ko from the pansiteryey. Baka mag-rambo na si fudra. Bang! Bang! Bye”

Award!

For 10 points!

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 18:28:00 -0500

I reposted this from my facebook note because I was reminded by a post from my former student. There are actually a lot more funny answers to the bonus questions that I was tempted to keep that part of their exam paper.

—-

BEST ANSWERS

Q: If you are a reagent in an organic reaction, would you rather be an electrophile or nucleophile? Why?

I would rather be a nucleophile. Being a nucleophile in a group means you are willing to share what you have in life.

-Paula Ramos

Electrophile, since I’d rather be poor but positive, than rich but negative.

-Abonnie Gutierrez

Q: If you are an alkyl halide undergoing nucleophilic substitution, would you prefer an SN1 or SN2 mechanism? Why?

SN2 mechanism. If I’ll be replaced by someone else, I want it fast.

-Limuel Gutierrez

I would rather undergo and SN1 reaction. I really don’t find anything wrong with taking things slow and taking an extra step in what I do. In addition, by taking an extra step, I get to consider many possibilities in my reaction (aka racemisation). Rather than taking things too fast and ending up with everything backwards (inversion), I’d rather take time and consider my options.

-Markilo Ching

I would prefer to be in an SN1 mechanism because I don’t want to be the reason (as nucleophile) for the distortion of others’ relationship, rather, I’ll wait for their break-up first before attaching myself.

-Hollijah Uy

Q: If you are a substituent in an aromatic ring, which would you prefer to be, a ring deactivator or activator? Why?

Activator. “Para ako ang priority.”

-Diane Uy Cana

Q: If you are a ketone, would you prefer to be in your keto or enol form? Why?

Keto form; I don’t want to be alcoholic.

-Prince Ocsan

I would rather stay in my keto form. Although the keto form may not be the most stable form, I’d rather stay true to myself than change to please others (aka the rules) ^_^.

-Markilo Ching

Q: Do you think that organic chemistry is important to nation building? Expound.

Yes. Nowadays, the main problem of our country is poverty. If we are like electrons then this problem might be solved. Those who are deficient are given by those who have excess. If we are equal, then it would be easy to unify us as a nation.

-Pauline Siocson

Yes, because in organic chemistry we familiarize ourselves with the give-and-take relationship of elements and compounds and this type of relationship is what we too need to learn. Therefore, if we know how to give and take, nation building will surely be a piece of cake.

-Charles Ayran

Q: What is your most unforgettable experience in Ph Ch 125/125.1?

The first time I cried in the lab… because of that damn benzyl chloride.

-Benjamin Tada

Having inhaled NaCN during our first meeting and thinking of dying after that incident.

-Paula Ramos

Usually ako yung not-so-sober e =_=

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:46:23 -0400

Usually ako yung not-so-sober e =_=

reyvan: Peeta!

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:57:59 -0400

reyvan:

Peeta!

MENTAL BLOCK

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 07:00:42 -0400

July 25, 2011

The past three weeks had been a mad rush to read numerous books, understand and review countless concepts and theories, and answer several problem sets and sample exams. The long-awaited season of comprehensive exams for candidacy in my masters’ program has started and I am feeling quite overwhelmed of the material that I had to cover. I was both nervous and excited as I keep telling myself: “Pass this and you’re one step closer to being a true Master. Pass this and you get to defend your thesis. Pass this and you would finally hear graduation bells ringing.”

The exams are spread over four Saturdays, each covering the four traditional areas of the field. Although I spent a lot of sleepless nights studying, the first two exams went well for me. After all, I had two years of experience teaching these subjects. I was already well-versed in them and it was just a matter of refining what I already know and building up on what I already understood. It was on the third week that I had a problem. This was a subject I lacked an undergraduate background on and this was the subject where my professor suddenly lost taste in teaching in the middle of the term and decided to let us teach ourselves from that point forward. I was then left to teach myself but this is something to be expected in graduate school anyway.

When exam time came, there was still a substantial amount of text that I have not covered but I know that there is no turning back. “Bahala na,” I boldly told myself and entered to the exam venue with trembling knees. We were handed the exam questionnaires and booklets and immediately started. There were only eight problems so I picked one which I thought I knew how to answer and immediately attacked it. Then it happened. A few seconds into the exam, I felt something I have never experienced again in so many years – mental block.

I tried to brush it off and continue solving but I just could not remember how. I attempted to proceed to the next item but it required a similar approach so I still could not answer it. Panic started to slowly creep in; I feared that I would not be able to answer anything at all. I started cheering myself desperately: “I am West Paraiso. I am epic. I was the Chemistry golden boy in back in undergrad. This could not happen to me.” This works in most instances, but at that moment it was not. Not knowing what else to do, I decided to close my eyes, take long, deep breaths and emptied my mind of the exam questions.

Quite surprisingly, the image that first popped into my mind, amidst all my egotistical thoughts, is that of my parents. I found this weird because although my parents and I get along well most of the time, I do not consider myself exactly close to them. Besides, we rarely talk about academics. Family and school are two immiscible things for me. Ever since I entered college, the only instance I involve them in school was when I asked for my tuition. But after a few moments of wondering, it became clear to me why I thought of them.

Aside from this being very apt for my teaching, the other reason why I am doing this, continuing to pursue further studies, is for my parents. My dad, who always openly disapproves of me entering the academe and pursuing a science course instead of a business-related one, has always been proud of me and the few things I have accomplished. And my mom, being an artist, does not take interest in all things chemistry but told me right from the start that she does not need to check how I am doing in school every now and then because she trusts in me and believes that I will do well every time.

That was all the reassurance I needed. I opened my eyes and gave the exam problem another try, this time, knowing that somebody else believes in me other than myself and that they are with me in that room, just not physically. I answered all the other questions in a little less than three hours. I left the exam room feeling that I did not do as well as I thought I would but at least I was able to finish it. I still do not know whether I would pass or not but whatever the result is, I know that I would feel less bad about it because I was able to do my best and I have my loving parents to thank for it. This may not be like in elementary, when I used to ask my mom to do my art projects or in high school where I used to ask my dad to solve my algebra assignments, but I know that they are still there for me 100% of the time.

I have no idea who among my students experience mental block during the many difficult exams I give. It could have happened to anyone, even the brightest and most confident among them. However, I do know now what to tell them just in case: “Pause for a while amidst all the panic, close your eyes, and think of whatever or whoever your reason is for doing all this.” I hope that it would help them as much as it helped me.

“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on so long in the first place.”

- Jared Leto

I miss college! :)

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 15:43:15 -0400

reyvan:

Dear Class of 2011,

As you begin your college experience, I thought I’d leave you with the things that, in retrospect, I think are important as you navigate the next four years. I hope that some of them are helpful.

Here goes…

Your friends will change a lot over the next four years. Let them.

Call someone you love back home a few times a week, even if just for a few minutes.

In college more than ever before, songs will attach themselves to memories. Every month or two, make a mix cd, mp3 folder, whatever - just make sure you keep copies of these songs. Ten years out, they’ll be as effective as a journal in taking you back to your favorite moments.

Take naps in the middle of the afternoon with reckless abandon.

Adjust your schedule around when you are most productive and creative. If you’re nocturnal and do your best work late at night, embrace that. It may be the only time in your life when you can.

If you write your best papers the night before they are due, don’t let people tell you that you “should be more organized” or that you “should plan better.” Different things work for different people. Personally, I worked best under pressure - so I always procrastinated… and always kicked ass (which annoyed my friends to no end). ;-) Use the freedom that comes with not having grades first semester to experiment and see what works best for you.

At least a few times in your college career, do something fun and irresponsible when you should be studying. The night before my freshman year psych final, my roommate somehow scored front row seats to the Indigo Girls at a venue 2 hours away. I didn’t do so well on the final, but I haven’t thought about psych since 1993. I’ve thought about the experience of going to that show (with the guy who is now my son’s godfather) at least once a month ever since.

Become friends with your favorite professors. Recognize that they can learn from you too - in fact, that’s part of the reason they chose to be professors.

Carve out an hour every single day to be alone. (Sleeping doesn’t count.)

Go on dates. Don’t feel like every date has to turn into a relationship.

Don’t date someone your roommate has been in a relationship with.

When your friends’ parents visit, include them. You’ll get free food, etc., and you’ll help them to feel like they’re cool, hangin’ with the hip college kids.

In the first month of college, send a hand-written letter to someone who made college possible for you and describe your adventures thus far. It will mean a lot to him/her now, and it will mean a lot to you in ten years when he/she shows it to you.

Embrace the differences between you and your classmates. Always be asking yourself, “what can I learn from this person?” More of your education will come from this than from any classroom.

All-nighters are entirely overrated.

For those of you who have come to college in a long-distance relationship with someone from high school: despite what many will tell you, it can work. The key is to not let your relationship interfere with your college experience. If you don’t want to date anyone else, that’s totally fine! What’s not fine, however, is missing out on a lot of defining experiences because you’re on the phone with your boyfriend/girlfriend for three hours every day.

Working things out between friends is best done in person, not over email. (IM does not count as “in person.”) Often someone’s facial expressions will tell you more than his/her words.

Take risks.

Don’t be afraid of (or excited by) the co-ed bathrooms. The thrill is over in about 2 seconds.

Wednesday is the middle of the week; therefore on Wednesday night the week is more than half over. You should celebrate accordingly. (It makes thursday and friday a lot more fun.)

Read More

checkoutcounter: Something to keep in mind Check na check!

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 18:34:05 -0400

checkoutcounter:

Something to keep in mind

Check na check!

pepsiice: sorry twilight fans :) HAHAHAHA! I am a Twilight fan...

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 22:07:00 -0400

pepsiice:

sorry twilight fans :)

HAHAHAHA! I am a Twilight fan but this is just so damn funny! XD