APOLLO 13

It is funny how superstitions can corrupt one's mind even the intellectuals. After watching Apollo 13 documentary at History Channel, I come to think that man is nothing but super, tiny, helpless creature that needs constant reminder about the existence of The Higher Power.

Just a tiny error, so tiny, just the thermostat that kept heating the liquid oxygen, just some forgotten procedure that someone forgot to cross-out from the check list, enough to cost a dream being shattered and can never be achieved again. And how Hollywood depicted almost everything accurately (bear in mind that the tag line, "Houston, we have a problem", was never spoken by Jim Lovell).

Human can do so many but He is the one who has the final say.

I never thought of shedding some tears while watching it. Reminds me of the Almighty.

BROMANCE

Less than 2 weeks before school ends and I'll be saying goodbye to second year. Wait, field school is waiting so not saying goodbye, YET, until Whitefish ends. I'm pretty content with school so far. After the epic field trip, going back to school was something that I looked forward to but grade was bad which I expected after the horror of structural first midterm.

WHY PIERRE? WHY DID YOU PUT THAT MAP THAT WE DIDN'T LEARN IN LAB? WHY? WHY?

Ok, so that's in the past. Now talking about present.

Be getting the mark for the second midterm. Fingers cross, all I need is a pass and I know what to do for final. And I think I can do it although the mark is still vague but I would still be satisfied with any number. Not to say I'm not smart, HELL YEAH I'M SMART. But structural geology is not something you can learn and get just by looking at the map. Unless if you're Alex which pretty much gets 90 in all classes.

Insyallah, this semester will be better. That's all I'm asking for.

House hunting is tiring, NY is still a plan but depends on whether baby scores any job, at least for the summer. If he does, god bless that he has a good future. Praying the best for him. Less than 3 months before home and research job yeahhhh! Score 1 for myself

:)

SHIT

This semester is nothing but BAD. Okay not too bad cause I went to the most awesome field trip ever and looking forward to more of it in the future, but it is still a pretty bad semester.

Well, classes are hard. Had to drop one class because I was supposed to have a midterm the week I came back from the trip and fever took control of my body which later forced me to study metamorphic ONLY, instead of REMOTE SENSING and METAMORPHIC. To make things worse, Geochem mark is up and surprisingly, everyone did bad including me. Whaddaheck happened la wei?! We are totally shocked with the marks.

I guess dropping 1 class is a good decision since I will have more time to study. Freaking TV stop seducing me.

Lord, help me please because You are the best.

STRATIGRAPHY

Salam and hello,

A week before another awesome chance to discover and explore the world from the eyes of geologist. Before the excitement starts, I have to endure another week of midterm and labs and readings to be settled so that once I come back from Grand Canyon (via La Vegas!), I will not be overwhelmed with the workload.

A list of things to do/get it over with:

1)319 Labs - 2

2) 441 Labs and data extraction

3) 441 readings :(

4) Structural lab (man, you totally pull my grade down yesterday)

5) Aqueous geochem midterm

6) Archaeo essay

I wish not to make you feel bored with the list of things that explains quite a lot about my school life but hey, that's the only thing I can think about right now. Also I need to buy some socks, hats (beanies) and lotion for the field trip. Don't want my skin to dry and crack up during the hike and sleeping in the tent with temperature below minus.

Thank god for geology, I love what I am doing now and it gives me good opportunity to just go around and places that not everyone can go to.

I wonder where geology will take me next year. Perhaps Hawaii:)

Now that, would be a totally cool field trip.

WRAPPING

2 days before bidding goodbye to 2011. The happiness, hardships, memories, experiences and journeys I went through will make me a better and mature person. I wish that the sadness will fade away and more importantly, God will be my protector and savior as another year ready to embrace its way through the path yet to be known.

To family who I miss everyday,

To friends who shall be in my mind always,

To loved one who will be my best friend forever,

Cherish this year, wrapping the world with the nakedness of mind as more things are yet to be discovered and learnt.

To 2012, hope you'll be kind to me. Cause I need it to get through another chapter of life.

ps: result to come out. forgetting to breathe again

PIRATE

A note to myself:

Congratulations! You are officially 21, which means you are now eligible to vote, to buy alcohol in the States for Sara during our next field trip (joke:P), and you are now in the prime age of getting hitched.

Congratulations for successfully obtaining everything you want in life (studies, friends, experience).

Congratulations for making your family proud of your achievement, so far.

Congratulations!

I hope to look back at this moment ten years from now where I will be a critically acclaimed geologist, with beautiful family and blessings from God.

LORD

Praise to the great Lord for every blessings, in every humanely form I can take and savor for the next chapters in life. Study has been good though there are still rooms for improvement (eg: doing report instead of updating blog:P), family is doing great, friends are back and ready to share laughter once again (I sincerely miss every single one of you), romance has been a smooth sailing and more opportunities for self-improvement.

I'm utterly excited for the leadership symposium. This would be my official solo workshop/seminar and I'm a little nervous on what to expect from the 3-days program. Well, I mean this is definitely a good thing as it will give a better chance for me to apply for SIFT (which reminds me that I have to work on my resume etc after all assignments are done) but I'm still nervous. Probably a little skeptical but hey, that's what I am.

Winter is coming and Cuba is calling. All I need is to find ways to get a lot of money, ASAP. Any ideas?

ps: US Visa is not yet done:(

pss: I should really apply for one like, now!