The short story I have written as a requirement has already been exposed to the writers’ workshop during our Creative Writing class last Thursday. I rather expected the constructive critiques of my colleagues and professor regarding “Home Sweet Home”. Well, I am not really into fiction writing though I am open for craft development.

Sir Miel, who is a student of the fabled Jess Cruz, appreciated the kind of language I employed with my work. He suggested that I mask my thoughts through immediate characterization and inject a more vivid and specific conflict.

***

I am browsing Paul Dawson’s Creative Writing and the New Humanities (2005) which seeks to answer perennial questions such as ‘can writing be taught’ and ‘should it be taught’. I am the first one to have borrowed the book from the FEU-Library.

***

The same day, we lost our first badminton match against the Institute of Nursing (IN). Joseph and I failed to prepare for the match. My muscles are still aching – it’s essentially de-stressing though.

Meanwhile, we will be running for the 8th Takbo para sa Kalikasan tomorrow at Quirino Grandstand together with other Tams. After, we are planning to go straight the Ateneo Gym for the UAAP Volleyball Championship (Game One).

***

I was invited to join FEU-ORADEC Debate Chamber’s trainings for the upcoming P.I.D.C. While I concede that I have always wanted to debate, my hectic schedules and other commitments just keep on preventing me to do so. As Prof. Annabel Kibanoff-Mercado (FEU ORADEC Adviser, Communications Department) puts it, debate is really a jealous mistress – and I cannot afford to leave student leadership and community service involvement behind.

***

There is still no update as regards to the Paragon funding. Our waiting will finally be over, I know. Meanwhile, I haven’t seen new issues of the Podium (FEU-IABF) or the Lamp (FEU-IN) yet.

It’s Valentines Day today, certainly one of the most celebrated feasts in honor of a saint. Since I don’t have classes, I had the luxury to snooze around my bed until 10am (I slept 11:30 last night). I realized that I badly missed my pillows already.

***
After an hour of playing Pokemon (yes, the Ruby Version) in my desktop, I finished some SC paper works. I am yet to browse my academic notes though. Right now, I am thinking whether I will join Arvin and friends in an “All Singles Party” tonight, or not.

***
Kuya Ago called earlier relaying some not-so-good news. I am calling an emergency meeting tomorrow regarding some pressing organizational concerns. I am praying for the successful operation of Dino, TAMVOL member and friend who is at UST hospital right now for some reasons I am yet to know.

***

Yesterday, I attended the second leg of the 1st Bi-Annual Research Conference organized by the FEU-English Department. I was with Vanj and Rachelle and the senior block of FEU-AB English Language. Dr. Ramon Bantugan, who is a personal mentor in Linguistics, served as the lecturer discussing his paper on “An Analysis of Film Adaptations of Two Filipino Novels”. His study was a comprehensive one underscoring the triangulation of Literature, Mass Media and Applied Linguistics.

***

We already took our MX last week except for Development Reading. Still, everybody seemed occupied with varied academic concerns - that would mean 2 laptops, 1 PC, and a pile of books at the SC Office. Our class will be joining an inter-block curtain call. We’ll be using the short story of Giovanni Vera entitled The She-Wolf as our piece. Krystal Vergara will be playing the major role.

***

FEU-Athletic League already started. Institute of Arts and Sciences teams won its opening games against the Institute of Education Team for the Volleyball Men’s, Associate in Health and Science Education (AHSE) Team for the Basketball Men’s Team, and against the FEU-East Asia College for the Basketball-Women’s. A long way to go!

My game (badminton-doubles) will already be on Thursday. Joseph and I haven’t had any practice game though (which is supposedly today).

Speaking of Athletic Leagues, hail kudos to FEU Volleyball teams for making it to the UAAP finals! I will be watching the game one of the championship games this Sunday at the Ateneo Gym. I hope I can find someone to go with me.

Men’s – Far Eastern University vs. University of Sto. Of Tomas
Women’s – Far Eastern University vs. University of the Philippines

* It’s gonna be FEU vs. UST and UP

***

I have discovered good books at the FEU-Library recently. I have learned that two books are not enough for take home purposes. I hope FEU will allow students to borrow at least three and extend the allowable duration to at least a week (which means seven days, not five) or two.
***

I am currently reading Michael Agar’s Language Shock: Understanding the Culture of Conversation and Florian Coulmas’s Sociolinguistics: The Study of Speakers’ Choices. Sadly though, I have to return immediately the two books so as to avoid overdue status. I have not even finished half of Michael’s which I found, for the most, interesting, as he recounted his personal linguistic experiences relating to the popularly known concepts of Boas and Saussure.