Why hello, faithful reader (lamest thing to say, I swear). It has been almost five months since my last blog entry. To those who still actually read this (or those who have just begun, pertaining to Nicholas), this is for you! :)

So here are some pictures. (Picture vomit ova heaaarre)



Okay, so these two up above were taken in March this year. I was diagnosed with appendicitis! I look pretty weird in the pictures. Haha. Oh, the second one is with Chee Tong, my sister's ex-boyfriend. He visited! Not for me though. :P





And then these... I went to Punta Fuego with Ina, Betina, JV, Blink, Keisha and Dan.
I hate the beach but I loved the company!




Okay... I'm looking for more pictures to post!

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OKAY HERE.

Junior year so far. :)







boombox generation:

Okay, it's not like anyone is going to read this but heck do I care. What am I doing, anyway? Every day's the same. Same old routine: Sleep, eat anything and everything I can possibly get my sausagey fingers on, guitar (god, I wish that were a verb already), look at crap and chat with crap online, punch piano keys (playing actually, but sounds otherwise), watch American Idol and secretly root for Jason Castro/David Cook, gain visible weight, and sit around waiting for something meaningful to happen O_O

To sum it up, life sucks. (harakiri)






WHAT AM I SAYING?

Ha ha. Sooo summer isn't going so well, can't you tell.

boombox generation:

Crete – 1800 B.C.
1. arable land
2. surrounding water
3. easy to move around – Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, Egypt

Minoan Civilization
- polytheism – adapted
- Traders – Asia Minor, Mesopotamia, and Egypt
- Frescoes are water colored paintings. Dolphins : water = important to them
- Aegean sea – water supply
- Farmers
- Influences from others
- Palace at Knossos – showed how advanced they were
- Monarchial system
Fall: conquered by Mycenaeans

Mycenaen kingdom – Indo-Europeans
- conquered Minoa
- Sea trades – Sicily, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Italy
- Trojan War – conflict between Mycenae and Troy (in Turkey)
- Lived in separate city-states (fortresses to ensure protection and safety) led by warrior-king
- Learned art of writing from Minoans
- Dorians invaded – easy to put Mycenae down

Berring Strait
- owned by Troy
- for people to cross, they had to ask permission
- people wanted to own the strait
- Trojan war – weakened Mycenae

Dorians – barbaric people
- conquered Mycenae and made them slaves
- ignored achievements of Mycenae
- Mycenaeans abandoned the civilization and started their own POLISES
- This was the Dark Age of Greece

Polises/City-states
- Monarchy
- Aristocracy
- Oligarchy – country ruled by few rich/elite people
- Military technology – iron weapons cheaper than bronze weapons and used by the ordinary
- Phalanx – massive formation, new method of fighting
- Small population – better control of city-states; limited
- Monarchy -> Oligarchy – opened doors to ordinary people
- Politically and militarily motivated
- Parthenon – Athena
- Religious

Spartans – military government; had 2 kings
- healthy women – healthy babies – healthy warriors
- Spartan boys endure lifetime training (7-years old)
- Isolated themselves from Greeks – more on warring
- Consulted Council of elders
- Women had the right to inherit property
- Men – to be married at 20-years old
- Council of Ephors – real power
- Military virtues, discipline and skills
- Helots – populated Sparta, Dorian slaves, control military government
- Retire at 60-years old to the council of Elders/Ephors or part of assembly

Athens
- monarchy -> oligarchy
- nobles chose Chief officials/ ARCHONS as leaders
- women did not have equal rights, no place in society and women <> democracy
- people became mad because they had no say in the government

- foreign artisans
- merchants – lowest class
- soldiers
- SOLON – an Archon who granted citizenship (men) to foreigners, economic reforms, encouraged export of wine and olive oil, outlawed debt slavery
- Giving importance to people – legislative (law making body)
- Political rights
- Tyrants – take power by force
- Pisistratus – helped farmers, building projects for ordinary people
- Cleisthenes – put up council of 500, legislature
- Women education – sports, literature, math

Persian Wars
Cause: Ionia
Battle of Marathon -> Battle of Thermopylae -> Battle of Salamis

Battle of Marathon
- Athenians won battle
- Persians went back to get more people and weapons
- Themistocles built fleet of warships and prepared other defenses

Battle of Thermopylae
- Persians won because of the small number of Spartans that protected Sparta
- After defeating, Persians marched South and burned Athens, but it was empty (city)

Battle of Salamis
- Athenians won
- Athenians led the Persians into the strait of Salamis
- Warships had rowers – drove into Persian boats
- Greek city-states defeated Persians (Asia Minor)

Greeks celebrated
Persians were shamed and demoralized warriors
- period of Xerxes ended, reached the golden age (Pericles or Hellenic age)
City-states – friendships/alliances headed by Persians

Delian league
- pay tribute/taxes to Athens
- protect/defend each other
- dictating how to lead government (Athens)
- Athens caused Peloponnesian war

Peloponnesian War
Delian League (Athens) vs. Peloponnesian League (Sparta)
- refused the idea of Athens taking over
- Polises wanted their independence

Sparta – land/geographical advantage
Polises – did not like Athenians’ abuse, pushing around

Other city-states sided with the Spartans including the Persians.

Result: when the war ended, Athens lost
- corrupt
- demoralized people
- declined
- cultural center of Greece

Other city-states declined as Athens did because it was the “head”. Small kingdoms were afraid of other unforeseen wars because everyone wanted to be friends with the Spartans. Persians were contented with Spartans winning the war.
- No more democracy
- Implemented strict oligarchy – Spartans

Emerged:
1. Thebes – powerful, defeated Sparta
2. Macedonia led by Philip the Great
Alexander the Great
- conquered Greece, Persia, Asia Minor, Mesopotamia
- spread Greek culture
- studied in Athens and tutored by Aristotle

Hellenistic Period (Pericles) – Alexander the Great
- medicine
- architecture
- literature

Ostracism
- voting to banish a public figure = threat to democracy
- Citizen wrote name of person on piece of pottery
- live outside the city for 10 years

Direct Democracy – people taking part in the government’s affairs

Demes – Statistics of property and population of Greece for taxation purposes

Why is Greece one of the greatest civilizations?
1. Value of excellence – education was important and the government made programs to ensure excellence. They were taught the importance of excelling.
2. Valued holistic development – people tried new things and explored new fields like military, education, and arts and they also trained politicians.
3. Well-defined government system – people followed the government and the people and the government both dedicated time serving Greece (mostly government)

Schools of learning – Persia and Turkey; these schools had museums and gardens also – spread by Alexandria (Alexander?)

boombox generation:

October is passing so fast! The interaction with Ateneo on Thursday was better than I expected. My partner was Kyle Gonzalez. I got a CD with awesome songs.
And then the field trip to Subic the next day which is like 92394 kilometers away from school? We fed jumping crocodiles and prowling tigers some chicken. We also went to Ocean Adventure (sucked, so did the food but the dolphins were koolz) and Science and Technology Center. It was most fun on the way back because we watched Click and Happy Feet which I memorized so the whole time I was singing and reciting the lines. We got back to school at like 9 in the evening. Dead tired when I got in the van. Jollibee, then went home.

Jeremy's watching Happy Feet now. I guess it's obvious why I memorize it.

boombox generation:

I was watching Barney and Friends going to school this morning and I remembered that I had a crush on Michael when I was like what, 4?



boombox generation:

HI. I DON'T HAVE CLASSES TOMORROW BECAUSE THERE'S A PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE AND I'M GETTING MY GRADES FOR THE PREVIOUS TRIMESTER. I'M NERVOUS BUT KINDA FEELING OKAY BECAUSE I'M NEW AND ALL... BUT THEN I DON'T WANNA GET KICKED OUT, DO I? GOD, PLEASE HELP ME FEEL FINE.
AND I DON'T HAVE CLASSES ON FRIDAY EITHER BECAUSE OF THE END OF RAMADAN CELEBRATION. LISTEN TO ALL THAT WE NEEDED BY THE PLAIN WHITE T'S. YOU'LL GET WHY I'M TELLING YOU TO... GO!
GIVE ME NICE SONGS. I NEED NICE, NEW, UNPOPULAR SONGS PLEASE

KTHXBYE
(ilu)

boombox generation:

PK wanted me to do this

1. Smoked. [ ]
2. Consumed alcohol. [x]
3. Slept in the same bed with someone of the opposite sex. [x]
4. Slept in the same bed with someone of the same sex. [x]
5. Kissed someone of the same sex. [x]
6. Had sex. [ ]
7. Had someone in your room other than family. [x]
8. Watched porn. [ ]
9. Bought porn. [ ]
10. Done drugs. [ ]
TOTAL: 5

1. Taken painkillers. [x]
2. Taken someone else's prescription medicine. [x]
3. Lied to your parents. [x]
4. Lied to a friend. [x]
5. Been to rehab. [ ]
6. Done something illegal. [ ]
7. Cut yourself. [ ]
8. Hurt someone. [x]
9. Been to a club. [x]
10. Seen someone die.[ ]
TOTAL: 6

1. Missed curfew. [x]
2. Stayed out all night. [x]
3. Eaten a carton of ice cream by yourself. [ ]
4. Been to a therapist. [ ]
5. Snuck out of the house. [x]
6. Dyed your hair. [ ]
7. Received a ticket. [ ]
8. Been in an accident. [ ]
9. Wished someone to die. [x]
10. Been to a bar. [x]
TOTAL: 5

1. Been to a wild party. [ ]
2. Been to a Mardi Gras parade. [ ]
3. Drank more than four beers in a night. [ ]
4. Had a spring break in Florida. [ ]
5. Sniffed anything. [ ]
6. Wore black nail polish. [x]
7. Wore arm bands. [ ]
8. Wore t-shirts with band names. [x]
9. Listened to rap. [x]
10. Owned a 50 Cent CD. [ ]
TOTAL: 3

1. Dressed Gothic. [ ]
2. Dressed prep.[ ]
3. Dressed punk. [ ]
4. Dressed grunge. [ ]
5. Stole something. [x]
6. Been too drunk to remember anything. [ ]
7. Blacked out. [x]
8. Fainted. [x]
9. Had a crush on a neighbor. [x]
TOTAL: 4

1. Snuck into someone else's room. [x]
2. Had a crush on your friend. [x]
3. Been to a concert. [x]
4. Dry-humped someone. [ ]
5. Been called a slut. [ ]
6. Called someone a slut. [ ]
7. Installed speakers in your car.[ ]
8. Broken a mirror. [x]
9. Showered at someone of the opposites sex's house. [x]
10. Brushed your teeth with someone else's toothbrush. [ ]
TOTAL: 5

1. Consider/Considered Ludacris your favorite rapper. [ ]
2. Seen an R-rated movie in theater. [ ]
3. Cruised the mall. [x]
4. Skipped school. [x]
5. Had surgery. [x]
6. Had an injury. [x]
7. Gone to court. [ ]
8. Walked out of a restaurant without paying/tipping. [x]
9. Caught something on fire. [x]
10. Lied about your age. [x]
TOTAL: 7


1. Owned/rented an apartment.[ ]
2. Broke the law in the police's presence. [ ]
3. Made out with someone who had a gf/bf. [ ]
4. Got in trouble with the police. [x]
5. Talked to a stranger. [x]
6. Hugged a stranger. [ ]
7. Kissed a stranger. [ ]
8. Rode in the car with a stranger. [x]
9. Been harassed. [ ]
10. Been verbally harassed. [ ]
TOTAL: 3

1. Met face-to-face with someone you met online. [x]
2. Stayed online for 5 hours straight. [x]
3. Talked on the phone for more than 4 hours straight. [x]
4. Watched TV for 5 hours straight. [x]
5. Been to a fair. [x]
6. Been called a bad influence. [x]
7. Drink and drive. [ ]
8. Prank-called someone. [x]
9. Laid on a couch with someone of the opposite sex. [x]
10. Cheated on a test. [x]
TOTAL: 9

TOTAL: 57

-If You Have Less Then 10.. write [I'm a Goody Goody.]
-If You Have More Than 10.. write [I'm still a goody goody.]
-If You Have more Than 20..write [I'm average.]
-If You Have More Than 30..write [I'm a bad kid.]
-If You have more than 40..write [I'm a very bad influence.]
-If You Have more than 50..write [I'm a horrible person.]


Aw, really now?

boombox generation:

^me, Pauline, Criselle then Tricy and Alissa above



^Alissa



^Fall Out Baboy-ing with Audrey

The festivals were fun!
Pictures from Criselle, Alissa and Hannah

boombox generation:

It's time to make an entry that won't take me five minutes to type. An entry that you understand without questions...

So exams are over? You'd probably think it's time to 'partay' (I hate that) and stuff but nooo. Not here. Exams just mark the beginning of a new trimester. And before I realize it, my Investigatory Project will be due. Not that it's due anytime soon. But I feel that there's so much to do when I don't even have anything urgent on my list. Let's see. I have to make: Teachers' Day cards (I am supposed to), do Math, research on breast cancer and Alzheimer's with pictures, and sort my expandable file into obsessive compulsive sections with labels and everything. I don't think I'll write the cards today because I don't feel that my IT teacher is fun. Or maybe I should start research on breast cancer and Alzheimer's.

Whetever.

As you know, I was sent to the hospital (again) recently. Monday evening, to be exact. It wasn't the stress problem like before. I think it was the clash of caffeine, jalapeño corned beef, milo and staying up late. I'm currently not allowed to drink milk, coffee, and soda. And also not allowed to eat spicy stuff and fruits. Of course, I was able to drink some milk. I can't survive without milk! I get pale. Well, I've had a couple oranges as well. And a pear. But nope, no coffee so far. Only during exams. And they're over, right?

Tch. There's something wrong with my tummy.
SMS = Save my soul



...



Ah. I really want to go to that soiree in my classmate's house later this afternoon. It's with Xavier and I heard the class we're having the soiree with is fun... So, why not? No, I can't go.
ANYWAYZ, it's gonna be a short weekend. I'll just curl up with my guitar singing Blackbird.

Bhye


11:57 AM: I almost forgot. Happy birthday, Loz. I love you mucho.

boombox generation:

OYES. GOOD BYE TO:

exams, thick reviewers, three jacket-less days, staying up too late, and coffee

HELLO TO:

new year, new trime, new nail polish (it's yellow-green.. with glitters)



I miss you, Singaporeans

boombox generation: