At the possibility of imminent fire at your dwelling (knock on wood) which items would you save first?
Yesterday, with a threat of fire at our apartment building, I grabbed my passport, I-94, I-20 and wallet. I learned later that a number of us would have ensured getting the same things too as they are documents essential to our stay here as foreign students. It would be very inconvenient to lose them.
At the end of the day, one is reminded that only life is irreplaceable.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Lost Part II
A week ago, I went to the “court room” for my Human Rights class. There is only one “court room” in the Notre Dame Law School so I knew I was in the right classroom. I did not want a repeat of my International Law Class-getting-lost-story.
Seating on my favorite chair, I felt that there was something different about the atmosphere. My classmates did not look like my classmates at all. For a second there I thought I was in a twilight zone.
Unknown people, right classroom, right day…. What else? Oops! One hour earlier!
-----------------------
After attending an immigration seminar, I leisurely walked home. As I was opening the main door, from the outside I noticed our neighbor having new furniture. Our apartment was very well lit too which is not usually the case. (Our kitchen and bar light just got fixed)
Then when I climbed the few steps going to our apartment, I noticed the quality of the cement was different from the stairs I was used to. I figured probably the building owner had his crew working on and fixing the steps --- for new tiles maybe?
Then before I could put my key on the keyhole to our apartment, a bright sign posted on the door greeted me. It said “Russia” and some names that were not familiar to me. Is this another twilight zone? Did I forget where I lived?
Oh! I was at our next door twin building!
-------------------------
No more Part III please!!!
Seating on my favorite chair, I felt that there was something different about the atmosphere. My classmates did not look like my classmates at all. For a second there I thought I was in a twilight zone.
Unknown people, right classroom, right day…. What else? Oops! One hour earlier!
-----------------------
After attending an immigration seminar, I leisurely walked home. As I was opening the main door, from the outside I noticed our neighbor having new furniture. Our apartment was very well lit too which is not usually the case. (Our kitchen and bar light just got fixed)
Then when I climbed the few steps going to our apartment, I noticed the quality of the cement was different from the stairs I was used to. I figured probably the building owner had his crew working on and fixing the steps --- for new tiles maybe?
Then before I could put my key on the keyhole to our apartment, a bright sign posted on the door greeted me. It said “Russia” and some names that were not familiar to me. Is this another twilight zone? Did I forget where I lived?
Oh! I was at our next door twin building!
-------------------------
No more Part III please!!!
Friday, September 07, 2007
LOST
At the outset let me tell you that this piece is not about the TV show. I don’t even watch it.
On the other hand, these are tales of my being, well, lost….
Lost in Notre Dame Avenue
A colleague and I were on a bus going to our new apartment. Expecting my colleague to know where we were heading, I did not mind finding out exactly where we were supposed to stop. It turned out she was not sure. So when we were the only ones left on the bus, we craned our necks to see and decipher in the darkness of the night where our apartment was.
At a certain point, the driver stopped the bus. Immediately, the front door opened and all the lights went on signaling as if the driver was telling us it was our stop. So, we got off laughing at ourselves and wondering how psychic for the driver to know where we were going. Our apartment was a stone’s throw away.
Perhaps, “newbies” were imprinted on our foreheads?
After being a Bus No. 7 regular, I observed that it was SOP for bus drivers to stop, turn on the lights and open the bus door at that particular stop where we got off, every single time.
Yes, the driver was not psychic. We were naïve.
Lost in International Law
While waiting for our International Law classroom to be available, a colleague and I were chatting at the hallway along with a number of other students. As the crowd started to move towards the classroom, we went with the flow until we were inside only to find out we entered the opposite side of our assigned seating in the auditorium-type room.
So, we inched our way among the legal bodies. I found my seat but felt there was something wrong about it. I glanced at my colleague who seemed to be in discussion with the other students about the availability of seats.
Then I looked at the Professor setting up his territory a few steps below me.
Ooops! Wrong room!
Lost in the Elevator
To live life as easily as I can- that is one of my goals. So even in terms of managing my way in the Kresge Library, I try to find the simplest routes.
One day, I discovered an elevator at the third floor near our reserved carrels. A colleague who was studying near the elevator witnessed my excitement on such discovery! I need not snake my way around to see the sunshine.
After some chit-chat, I bade her goodbye and went inside the elevator.
A few seconds thereafter, I was back at the third floor saying hello to her again.
Contrary to my expectation, the elevator did not lead to an exit --- at least for me since I do not have the proper authorization. It was a limited access elevator.
Lost in Class
For a student in law to survive and succeed, he/she must have read the reading assignment before going to class lest he/she burned at the stake. Okay that is an exaggeration. It’s to prevent embarrassment and of course help the student earn points towards a passing or excellent mark.
Last Tuesday, our Professor started with enforcing a seat plan to facilitate his calling us by name for class participation. Then he began discussing a few points and quoting from the notes that we were supposed to have read.
Confusion. “What in the world is he talking about?” I thought. I have not read such a provision.
Then I looked at my classmates. I searched for a fellow confused look. They were all seriously looking at their notes.
I could not see the notes of the people in front of me since a bar divided us. An aisle divided me and the one to my left. The one to my right, two seats away was using a laptop and was viewing some internet site. The one sitting behind me looked so serious he could not be disturbed.
I could not verify if I was the only one who did not get the right readings emailed. I was left confused. Then from the discussion I realized I read the outdated version.
This time I do not claim innocence. I claim inadvertence. The updated version was on pdf file. When I studied, I read from Word so I did not see it. Hehehe. I hope that’s a plausible argument to bail myself out. :-)
If not, then I will have to drag my other colleagues to the picture. In a class of about 25, seven or maybe more souls were as confused as I was to have read the wrong assignment. Evil as it may seem, I am guilty of feeling somehow relieved to find out even if belatedly that I was not alone. Hahaha.
On the other hand, these are tales of my being, well, lost….
Lost in Notre Dame Avenue
A colleague and I were on a bus going to our new apartment. Expecting my colleague to know where we were heading, I did not mind finding out exactly where we were supposed to stop. It turned out she was not sure. So when we were the only ones left on the bus, we craned our necks to see and decipher in the darkness of the night where our apartment was.
At a certain point, the driver stopped the bus. Immediately, the front door opened and all the lights went on signaling as if the driver was telling us it was our stop. So, we got off laughing at ourselves and wondering how psychic for the driver to know where we were going. Our apartment was a stone’s throw away.
Perhaps, “newbies” were imprinted on our foreheads?
After being a Bus No. 7 regular, I observed that it was SOP for bus drivers to stop, turn on the lights and open the bus door at that particular stop where we got off, every single time.
Yes, the driver was not psychic. We were naïve.
Lost in International Law
While waiting for our International Law classroom to be available, a colleague and I were chatting at the hallway along with a number of other students. As the crowd started to move towards the classroom, we went with the flow until we were inside only to find out we entered the opposite side of our assigned seating in the auditorium-type room.
So, we inched our way among the legal bodies. I found my seat but felt there was something wrong about it. I glanced at my colleague who seemed to be in discussion with the other students about the availability of seats.
Then I looked at the Professor setting up his territory a few steps below me.
Ooops! Wrong room!
Lost in the Elevator
To live life as easily as I can- that is one of my goals. So even in terms of managing my way in the Kresge Library, I try to find the simplest routes.
One day, I discovered an elevator at the third floor near our reserved carrels. A colleague who was studying near the elevator witnessed my excitement on such discovery! I need not snake my way around to see the sunshine.
After some chit-chat, I bade her goodbye and went inside the elevator.
A few seconds thereafter, I was back at the third floor saying hello to her again.
Contrary to my expectation, the elevator did not lead to an exit --- at least for me since I do not have the proper authorization. It was a limited access elevator.
Lost in Class
For a student in law to survive and succeed, he/she must have read the reading assignment before going to class lest he/she burned at the stake. Okay that is an exaggeration. It’s to prevent embarrassment and of course help the student earn points towards a passing or excellent mark.
Last Tuesday, our Professor started with enforcing a seat plan to facilitate his calling us by name for class participation. Then he began discussing a few points and quoting from the notes that we were supposed to have read.
Confusion. “What in the world is he talking about?” I thought. I have not read such a provision.
Then I looked at my classmates. I searched for a fellow confused look. They were all seriously looking at their notes.
I could not see the notes of the people in front of me since a bar divided us. An aisle divided me and the one to my left. The one to my right, two seats away was using a laptop and was viewing some internet site. The one sitting behind me looked so serious he could not be disturbed.
I could not verify if I was the only one who did not get the right readings emailed. I was left confused. Then from the discussion I realized I read the outdated version.
This time I do not claim innocence. I claim inadvertence. The updated version was on pdf file. When I studied, I read from Word so I did not see it. Hehehe. I hope that’s a plausible argument to bail myself out. :-)
If not, then I will have to drag my other colleagues to the picture. In a class of about 25, seven or maybe more souls were as confused as I was to have read the wrong assignment. Evil as it may seem, I am guilty of feeling somehow relieved to find out even if belatedly that I was not alone. Hahaha.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
My First Two Weeks in Notre Dame
“Where do I begin? To tell the story of how great a love can be….”
I like that song and the movie that popularized it – Love Story. I am not going to write about the movie though nor about the song. I just came to singing that part when I thought about sharing what I have been doing the past few weeks.
Where do I begin?
For the next nine months, I am sure I am going to have one of the best times of my life. I just know and I feel it. Nope, I am not pregnant as some of the airport personnel in Cebu readily considered after asking me why I was going to the US. I am taking my LLM in the University of Notre Dame.
Up to now, I am overwhelmed with such an opportunity and I thank the Lord and praise Him for all these blessings.
DRIVING TO NOTRE DAME
As stories go, I drove myself to Notre Dame. Yahoo! That’s from Maryland to Indiana. We left Germantown at about 8:15 PM and we arrived at South Bend at 6:30 A.M. Thanks to my parents who lovingly accompanied me to my apartment and helped me settle in.
I’m sure despite all the overflowing of blessings, I would have cried that first day had I traveled alone here.
In the following days I met one by one most of my fellow scholars. There are 17 of us in the program and we come from 17 countries. Isn’t that amazing? The richness of each other’s experiences shared is in itself worth more than taking a three credit course or one year of study for that matter.
That is why, I encourage everyone to go out of your shells and see the world. Expand your horizons. Start by searching at www.filipinoscholar.com (Okay I just had to promote the site again. Hehehe)
THE NEWS
Little did I know that a few days after I arrive, I’d be interviewed for a news story. The circumstances are not too happy though but it’s not altogether morbid. Two students were shot at a club a few meters from our apartment. They are now currently on recovery. The shooting was an uncommon incident and I reassure all my family and friends that we live in a fairly safe neighborhood.
I found the interview on the internet a few days later. I will not share with you the link because I already know that my hair needed a little more combing and in my TH effort to being understood better, my sister Myrtena already had a funny comment about my accent. Hahaha.
THE HAIR
Despite Michelle and Alou’s comments about my hair, two people commented that they liked my hair. How about that! And one of them is a living legend in Notre Dame. Hah! What an achievement for me. Hahaha.
THE ENDLESS WALK
Notre Dame’s land area is 1,250 acres, 32 acres more than U.P. Diliman. Whereas UP has its Ikot and Toki plying almost every few minutes around the campus, Notre Dame has scheduled bus trips which does not really ply the inner areas of the school. Therefore, we have to walk and walk and walk unless we have a bike which most of us do not have.
Especially during the first few days what with all the documentations to be filled out and submitted from one building to the next. Of course, there’s the part of getting lost and taking the longer routes for not really being very familiar with the places even with a map on hand. Whew.
The duration of the walk to the Law School would depend on whether I walk with somebody or walk alone. Alone, I can do it in 15 minutes or less. But if I am with colleagues, we do it in 20-30 minutes. They usually call my attention on how fast I walk. It’s a big effort for me to slow down.
Apart from three married colleagues who have their family with them here, fourteen of us live in one building with most of us having one roommate. It’s actually one apartment with two bedrooms, a dining area, a kitchen, a receiving area and a porch! Not to mention a bar. As if! Hehehe. The married LLM students live in the University Village along with other married students studying in other departments who have families living with them here.
So, see whether you are married or not, Notre Dame welcomes you. ;) Come and enroll.
THE BUS RIDE
In the Philippines, if we want to ride a bus or any public vehicle, we just wave our hand to signal the driver our intention to ride.
Most of the countries and states I’ve been to however, have designated bus stops and you wait at the designated bus stops without waving your hand.
In South Bend, the system is a cross between the Philippines and the other systems of other places. Here, you stand at the nearest corner where the bus passes if it is not a designated bus stop and wave at the driver. Interesting! It gives me a sense of being in a developed place at the same time there’s that hint of its being homey.
THE TECHNOLOGY
After I graduated from USC and worked at the Ateneo, seeing a number of students carrying laptops in school was a very new experience for me. I laughed it off to the disparity of the rich and the poor in the Philippines even though students in USC cannot really be considered poor and not all students in the Ateneo are rich.
And now I am in Notre Dame located in a first world country. I am sure all the students here have their own laptops. If not, I don’t know how he/she can survive. Notes, assignments and announcements are sent through email. Even registration and enrollment are done online.
You will certainly be at a loss if you do not check your University email often.
Students can come to class with their laptops and search online for the answers to the professor’s questions. Students can also print using the University’s printer remotely from the dorms or the apartments.
I don’t know if this system is replicated all over the first world countries or affluent schools in whatever country. It is simply wowific! (I’m inventing the term)
I am curious to know how things are in USC. I was thrilled with their “automated” IDs. I wonder what’s in store when I get back.
Everybody is keeping up with technology these days.
THE CLASSES
So far, I’m enjoying the classes I’m taking. There are endless readings to comprehend and analyze. Still, I am happy.
And for me to maintain this state of happiness, I need to take a rest now, sleep a bit, or attend to my assigned readings. Until next sets of stories.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
My Knight In Shining Armor
"He's my knight in shining armor! His name is even Knight on my cellphone!"
I overheard an upcoming bride say the quoted lines at a bridal shop today. She was excitedly confiding to an equally eager and wide-eyed shop assistant about her Knight and their wedding plans.
Despite my nature to eavesdrop, the otherwise interesting conversation faded as the love story was drowned out by what others may call cynicism.
While my eyes took in the sea of bridal gowns and corals of bridesmaids' brocades, it hit me that I still do not get it.
When family and friends tell me about their romantic interludes and promises of forever, I feel happy and excited for them. I cry at movies and enjoy watching romantic comedies repeatedly. But today, the words coming from a stranger jolted me.
I still do not get it.
Why the insatiable desire for grandiose weddings? Why the undue hype about having to just get married without internalizing the consequences? Why overlook that love is a choice?
Why are there still damsels impatiently waiting for their knights?
I overheard an upcoming bride say the quoted lines at a bridal shop today. She was excitedly confiding to an equally eager and wide-eyed shop assistant about her Knight and their wedding plans.
Despite my nature to eavesdrop, the otherwise interesting conversation faded as the love story was drowned out by what others may call cynicism.
While my eyes took in the sea of bridal gowns and corals of bridesmaids' brocades, it hit me that I still do not get it.
When family and friends tell me about their romantic interludes and promises of forever, I feel happy and excited for them. I cry at movies and enjoy watching romantic comedies repeatedly. But today, the words coming from a stranger jolted me.
I still do not get it.
Why the insatiable desire for grandiose weddings? Why the undue hype about having to just get married without internalizing the consequences? Why overlook that love is a choice?
Why are there still damsels impatiently waiting for their knights?
Monday, August 06, 2007
Where in the World Am I?
"Where in the world is Myrfi?" My friends are asking me.
As if I'm really that much of a jet-setter. Hehehe.
Anyway, presently I'm in a place where time moves too fast. There must be some scientific explanation somehow but I am too tired to investigate it.
I thought at first it was just me who noticed it. But at some point, I learned my mom and sister noticed it too.
Where we are, we wake up; eat; live; and the next thing we know, it's time to sleep; and the next day, we wake up again - the cycle then continues.
What's up with the East Coast?
As if I'm really that much of a jet-setter. Hehehe.
Anyway, presently I'm in a place where time moves too fast. There must be some scientific explanation somehow but I am too tired to investigate it.
I thought at first it was just me who noticed it. But at some point, I learned my mom and sister noticed it too.
Where we are, we wake up; eat; live; and the next thing we know, it's time to sleep; and the next day, we wake up again - the cycle then continues.
What's up with the East Coast?
Saturday, August 04, 2007
LUCK
I am going to boldly make a claim.
I am lucky. Really, really, really lucky.
SAVORING TOKYO ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Even with my semi-retired state, I was able to enjoy Tokyo and Miyake-jima with family. Despite Tokyo’s reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, it was one of my least expensive trips.
Thanks to my aunt, Gemma, my cousins Paulette, Therese & Glen, my cousin Paulette’s special friend Minh, and her colleagues in Miyake-jima who wholeheartedly shared their blessings with me. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart!
I like Tokyo. I like the city, the buildings, the trains, the subways, the suburbs, the architecture, the food, the cleanliness, the technology, and the discipline interspersed with the hint of “rebellion” as shown in their “whatever goes park,” the goth kids and the flamboyant outfits in Takeshita-dori.
I like Miyake-jima.
I like the peace and quiet, the rock formations, the peridot-laden shore, the lush forest view from the school’s rooftop where the swimming pool lay, the laid back feeling even with availability of internet and technology, and of course the people.
One remarkable thing about going places is actually meeting people and getting to know them beyond how they are portrayed in the movies, in the news or in history.
When it comes to hospitality, I thought that’s OUR (Filipinos) turf. Humbled was I when I realized, the Japanese could give us a run for our money. Paulette’s colleagues and students were so sweet and thoughtful.
They organized for us a very hearty and authentic Japanese dinner and went out of their way to see us off the island --- complete with festive and colorful ribbons!
They welcomed us in their yoga class and were very receptive with our tinikling! (Paulette and Therese danced. Glen and I tapped the bamboos. Hehehe)
Added bonus: The Japanese embassy changed their visa application procedure to applying only with designated agencies and processing in Manila just right after I obtained my visa in Cebu without any intermediary.
THE PROSPECT OF AN LLM ON A SCHOLARSHIP
Roughly seven days after Tokyo, my chance of getting a Master’s in Law on a scholarship became more reachable with an approved US student visa! I am still exhilarated at the thought of being a Domer! Thank you, Notre Dame and all its benefactors! Thank you to my family too especially my parents, and my sisters Michelle and Mary Ann for taking care of some of the costs.
PIECES OF GOOD FORTUNE AFTER BEING LEFT BY THE PLANE
Six days after my student visa was issued, I was left by the plane. I thought my flight to Cebu was at 1:30 PM. It turned out to be at 1:00 PM and I arrived at the airport just 5 minutes before that. I had to extend my stay in Manila.
Fortunately, it was not a series of unfortunate events. Because of that, I was able to help my friends with the 6th Workshop of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, stay and eat meals at a 5-star hotel, spend more time with friends in Manila, support and accompany my sister Mary Ann, and some other wonderful and charming things besides. ;-)
PIECES OF GOOD FORTUNE AFTER FLIGHT DELAYS AND BEING BUMPED OFF
Eight days after my two-week stay in Manila, I was not able to catch my plane to Washington DC through Doha. This time, I was not at fault. Qatar airways could not check me in because they were overbooked and there were no more available seats. Nine of us were bumped off.
As compensation they provided us hotel stay with meals and a choice of a travel voucher amounting to $200 (one-year travel validity) or an upgrade. I chose the latter.
So, a dream has come true--- to travel in business class at an international flight. Yeehah! What luuuuuuuxury!
The delay also allowed me to pack my bags better, buy more “tugons”, meet up with more friends, talk with a VSO Bahaginan representative regarding my application to volunteer with them, spend time with family, converse with Lola Lelen, and feel rich at the Hilton.
Did I mention I’m lucky?
Seriously, it’s not just about luck but about faith in the Lord--- Faith that with Him, all things will be alright.
I am lucky. Really, really, really lucky.
SAVORING TOKYO ON A TIGHT BUDGET
Even with my semi-retired state, I was able to enjoy Tokyo and Miyake-jima with family. Despite Tokyo’s reputation for being one of the most expensive cities in the world, it was one of my least expensive trips.
Thanks to my aunt, Gemma, my cousins Paulette, Therese & Glen, my cousin Paulette’s special friend Minh, and her colleagues in Miyake-jima who wholeheartedly shared their blessings with me. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart!
I like Tokyo. I like the city, the buildings, the trains, the subways, the suburbs, the architecture, the food, the cleanliness, the technology, and the discipline interspersed with the hint of “rebellion” as shown in their “whatever goes park,” the goth kids and the flamboyant outfits in Takeshita-dori.
I like Miyake-jima.
I like the peace and quiet, the rock formations, the peridot-laden shore, the lush forest view from the school’s rooftop where the swimming pool lay, the laid back feeling even with availability of internet and technology, and of course the people.
One remarkable thing about going places is actually meeting people and getting to know them beyond how they are portrayed in the movies, in the news or in history.
When it comes to hospitality, I thought that’s OUR (Filipinos) turf. Humbled was I when I realized, the Japanese could give us a run for our money. Paulette’s colleagues and students were so sweet and thoughtful.
They organized for us a very hearty and authentic Japanese dinner and went out of their way to see us off the island --- complete with festive and colorful ribbons!
They welcomed us in their yoga class and were very receptive with our tinikling! (Paulette and Therese danced. Glen and I tapped the bamboos. Hehehe)
Added bonus: The Japanese embassy changed their visa application procedure to applying only with designated agencies and processing in Manila just right after I obtained my visa in Cebu without any intermediary.
THE PROSPECT OF AN LLM ON A SCHOLARSHIP
Roughly seven days after Tokyo, my chance of getting a Master’s in Law on a scholarship became more reachable with an approved US student visa! I am still exhilarated at the thought of being a Domer! Thank you, Notre Dame and all its benefactors! Thank you to my family too especially my parents, and my sisters Michelle and Mary Ann for taking care of some of the costs.
PIECES OF GOOD FORTUNE AFTER BEING LEFT BY THE PLANE
Six days after my student visa was issued, I was left by the plane. I thought my flight to Cebu was at 1:30 PM. It turned out to be at 1:00 PM and I arrived at the airport just 5 minutes before that. I had to extend my stay in Manila.
Fortunately, it was not a series of unfortunate events. Because of that, I was able to help my friends with the 6th Workshop of the Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, stay and eat meals at a 5-star hotel, spend more time with friends in Manila, support and accompany my sister Mary Ann, and some other wonderful and charming things besides. ;-)
PIECES OF GOOD FORTUNE AFTER FLIGHT DELAYS AND BEING BUMPED OFF
Eight days after my two-week stay in Manila, I was not able to catch my plane to Washington DC through Doha. This time, I was not at fault. Qatar airways could not check me in because they were overbooked and there were no more available seats. Nine of us were bumped off.
As compensation they provided us hotel stay with meals and a choice of a travel voucher amounting to $200 (one-year travel validity) or an upgrade. I chose the latter.
So, a dream has come true--- to travel in business class at an international flight. Yeehah! What luuuuuuuxury!
The delay also allowed me to pack my bags better, buy more “tugons”, meet up with more friends, talk with a VSO Bahaginan representative regarding my application to volunteer with them, spend time with family, converse with Lola Lelen, and feel rich at the Hilton.
Did I mention I’m lucky?
Seriously, it’s not just about luck but about faith in the Lord--- Faith that with Him, all things will be alright.
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