Friendship By Decision

Though once in my lifetime I met such lovely lady,
So lovely that it really melted my heart.
Under no hesitation, I approached and asked for her name,
How lovely she replied back and gave me her name.

Though time is such fast that it can make someone forget,
I realized I will never see her again.
But despite time, it came to a point that I saw her,
And eventually came to see the beauty within her.

Though distance would really separate the two of us,
Words of commitment are there to bridge our paths.
Friendship by decision, friends for life by commitment,
The hopes of getting to the next level was merely a dream.

Though situations would hamper our togetherness,
We still prove ourselves to be mutual in things.
Although the hopes of getting to the next level was merely a dream,
Still this is friendship made by decision.

When Plans And Dreams Would Turn Down

Many of my plans and dreams had came to a waste,
When planning for a life unto which by now it even haven't came into existence,
When dreaming of something unto which that dream of mine's just a part of another dream,
When both plans and dream were shattered due to such circumstances.

I have been planning of landing into a pool of success, but it was empty.
I have been planning of becoming someone to be respected, but still I was a loser for most people.
I have been dreaming of integrating chaos, but still it wasn't in order.
I have been dreaming of a special someone, but still that someone's just a dream.

On Restless Nights With Worthless People ....

.... it came to a point of having this one!

This special project is entitled PCScope: An Object Pascal PC-Based Oscilloscope Using the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) Bus. Restless nights of creating scratchpads for the software implementation, Smoking out a PC, creating numerous damaged Presynthesized Circuit Boards, debates, coffee, pancit canton, smokes, beers and Starcraft made this special project possible.

Without these worthless people, this special project would not be made possible.

Jeffrey R. Go
The man behind the circuit boards. He's the Basta yun na type of guy that Bob will really take time to internalize what he's doing. Definitely a determined one. He really spends for the betterment of one Worthless Creation. He never sleeps until he's done with his work. Beware .... because when he's given a chance to lie down, expect hours and hours to wake him up!
Bob Dale C. Ocer
The theory behind the worthless people. He really doesn't talk trash. Serious in all his doings, he has the makings as a Professor X. He will never accept your ideas if he does not find an equation suitable for his interest. He also possess the Thomas Edison habit. He sleeps only when fatigue creeps his spines. Beware .... don't bother him when he's meditating!

Patrick Karim N. Padilla
The trying-hard software developer. He uses Marlboro Red and Coffee to stimulate his spines. He's one hell of a 24/7 guy. A lazy fella who only takes time doing the worthless creation when lazyness is lazy. Beware .... Don't offer him beer for he'll be forgetting that he has a work that needs to be done.


Here's the abstract of our Worthless Creation ....

A PC-based digital oscilloscope called PCScope is constructed which utilizes pulse code modulation (PCM) of ADC0841 as the encoding technique in the analog to digital conversion process. The 8-bit PCM codes are fed into the PC using the ISA bus and the resulting visual representation of the signal waveform is displayed using a program written in Object Pascal (Borland Delphi). Quantitative analysis show that there are still several unresolved issues primarily concerning digital signal processing, instrumentation principles and electronic design. Nevertheless, the data incurred in the synthesis process of the said measuring equipment are meant to provide the basis for improving the design of instruments that show graphical form of the signal considered.

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And for Bob and Jeffrey whom both had just graduated last March 2005, MY VERY BIG THANKS TO YOU GUYS! All your devotions really shed me tears. Until then for another Worthless Creation I will never forget the times that we shared together .... from all the debates, laughters, eat-all-you-can sessions, beer sessions, coffee sessions, Starcraft nights .... I will surely miss those times! La bonne chance vous deux

Strolling-Around Turns Into An Opportunity

Darns I posted this long! hehehe ....

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Last Sunday, I was on a trip to Cagayan de Oro City. What's my purpose? Just to chill out and relax anywhere the wind would blow me. After arriving the bus terminal, I went to Lim Ket Kai to have my lunch at a convenient fastfood chain I could find. Then I SMS'ed Maryland (who happens to be in CDO at that time) that I wanted to stroll around. She said she's in Gaisano Mall but will be heading to SM to apply as a Product Support Representative for Link2Support. Thinking that I have nothing to do, I immediately got out of Lim Ket Kai and went to SM.

At SM City, I went to the second floor. Maryland told me that the cubicle is located near the cinema. Upon arriving, I see many people lining up to apply for the newly-established Call Center in CDO.

Maryland: "Tricky! You have a resume there?"
Tricky: "I don't have. Why would I bring a resume with me when my purpose here is just to stroll around."
Maryland: "Don't leave this opportunity. The initial interview was really meant for you. If you pass the initial interview, then hell you can get the written exam."
Tricky: "Really?"
Maryland: "Yes!"
Tricky: "But I don't like to take it up. And also, I don't have a resume with me."
Maryland: "Zilpha has a template with her. Just go to the third floor at Netopia and edit it and print a copy of it."

Since I have nothing to do, I asked Zilpha's disk and went to Netopia, edited the template resume and printed it. It was 4:30PM when I came back to the Link2Support office and passed the resume. A lady interviewed me. I was really relaxed because there was no tension inside me for all I really thought was to utilize my time. Many questions had been asked and I did replied it with grace. There was a "Repeat-After-Me" session, and since I was sleepy that time I can hardly hear her speech. I keep on saying "Pardon me Ma'am" when I can't cope up. After the initial interview has been done, she wrote something on the paper. "You Passed! Written Exam will be on April 11 at 10AM". I told the interviewer "I will be returning to Iligan City this evening and tomorrow I cannot come because of an enrollment schedule. Can I take the written exam on another time?". Without hesitation the interviewer said "Would you like to take it now?". I replied "Sure if it would be possible." So the interviewer took me inside and handed me to a personnel.

Inside the examination room, the attendant gave me a questionnaire and a 4-page answer sheet. "You have to answer this in an hour and a half." I don't have a black ballpen with me. Since I don't know someone who can lend me one (Maryland, Zilpha and Vanessa are still taking the exam) I went to the first floor and bought myself a pen at National Bookstore. I returned to the examination room and took the exam. I found it difficult since I have a little know-how on acronyms. Most of the questions are multiple-choice type.

At 11PM the same day, I received an SMS from Link2Support.


"Gud day we r pleasd 2 infrm u tht u passed d exam @ LINK2SUPPORT i r skeduled fr final intervw on wednesday @ 4pm present ths msg @ d same venue. Tnx!"

I was amazed that I passed that despite those Spelling Quiz and Communication char char! HEHEHE!!!



One-Hell Of A Lucky Pen

I returned to Cagayan de Oro by Wednesday. I arrived the office at 4:05PM. I feel sick because of a bumpy bus-ride and I haven't got breakfast and lunch. I feel like throwing up in front of many people. I also feel like I'm not in for a final interview. I see people in business-attire outfit, and I myself with the casual wear. As I sat waiting for the interviewer to call me, I noticed that most of the interviews were funny. I really can't imagine that when girls are being interviewed, smiles could be seen of the interviewers and when boys are interviewed it would take long for the next interviewee to come over.

Now I was called. I sat down and did my Hi's and Hello's to the two interviewers. I was shocked since the interview was more over like technical stuffs. There was no laughter in our conversations. It was pure serious matters. Duh! I really would like to throw up also because I felt very dizzy that time. After the interview, I went out and got myself a Mocha Java from Nescafe. I'll be waiting for the result before May 1. May 2 will be the start of the Link2Support operations.

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I could never imagine that my strolling-around ended up into an opportunity that others are longing for ....

Korean-Movie Mania

Who could have ever thought that Basketball was the only one who has the "First-Half", "Second-Half", and "Overtime" ....

Most of my past-times I ease myself at home watching movies. Romantic comedies are my first priorities. Since childhood, mom would always introduce us with new American/British movies. One time I asked my mom "Wala bang magagandang movies ang Pinoy?". My mom would always tell me "Corny yung Pinoy. At sa ibang bansa naman hindi mo maiintindihan ang dialogue nila". Since then I limited myself in watching the likes of "American Pie", "A Walk To Remember", and much more of those American/British romantic comedies.

During my stay in the College of Engineering, there was a time when the words of "My Sassy Girl" would spit out in the mouths of most students. I really thought that in the college, the likes of Electronic Circuits, Rigid Bodies, Differential Equations, Neural Networks, Artificial Intelligence, too many to mention related to those things would be the topic of most conversations. I was curious at that "My Sassy Girl" of theirs.

It was just this semester that I realized that it was a Korean movie. The romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl" is an online serial that detailed Kim Ho-sik and his relationship with his off-the-wall college girlfriend. At first I was drastically amazed with the beauty of Jun Ji-hyun. Damn she really is my type. Now I realized why most of my colleagues would really watch the film over and over again. This is my best capture in the movie ....

Damn watching My Sassy Girl did increased my interest in watching other Korean Movies. For the record, these are the other korean movies that I have seen ....

Windstruck

My Little Bride

My Wife Is A Gangster

I wanna watch more of it .... hehehe!!!!

Rice Sacrifice

Obesity is now a public health concern. That's why anti-obesity campaigns are rampant these days. "Loose 100 pounds in 1 day" and such more are seen on streets. To effectively lose weight, one must let go off with carbohydrates. That's why there is such as the Rice Sacrifice. But the main risk of such would formulate the very statement "Paano na ang tapsilog o ang lechon?".

It has been 3 weeks that I observed the "No-Rice Diet". They say that it's very effective since if you don't eat "Go" foods then your body has to burn up fats in order to convert it as energy for your day-to-day activities.

From the very start of the sacrifice, I feel very weak since I barely eat things. Most dishes at home requires you to eat rice. So what did I do? I just made a "Nutrition Meal". For breakfast, I break my so-called fasting with just bread with eggs. During lunch, I stuff my stomach with veggies. Supper is quite a difficult one since I eat fish and meat but I have to fix myself not to be tempted with rice. Basically, it's really hard for me to adjust especially when the night would come and you feel that starved. Of course I still have my "regular" snacks, but it isn't enough to fill my hungry self.

Does this really work? Right now I'm still a 172-pound no-rice-diet contender. From the three weeks of no-rice diet, I did lose 7 pounds. I feel like I'm avoiding meals. As mom always tells me, it's bad to skip meals. "Baka magka-ulcer ka ...." statements would always haunt me when mom finds out that I'm skipping meals.

Be careful when you're into this fitness hype. Don't force yourself if you're not determined. If you're fixing yourself for determination, try not to lose it. After all, "Masarap pa rin ang kanin". HEHEHE!!!

Long Distance Relationships

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She walks in beauty like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies,
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to the tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One ray the more, one shade the less
Had half impaired the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress
Or softly lightens o'er her face,
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek and o'er that brow
So soft, so calm yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow
But tell of days in goodness spent
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent.

Lord Byron
She Walks in Beauty

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They say that "Distance is not the end of the world in a relationship." Can that be materially taken?

I have been tagging along with Jackie for about 3 weeks. Before the very instance of our friendship, I have known her to be that jolly girl on our retreat in Tangub City last November 27-29, 1998. She was the last one to sign my address book. I thought that she just put a name there and a random number, but she did wrote her real profile. Our next meet was on her birthday 3 years before. I was only limited on looking at her since I don't want an intimacy to happen for I have a girlfriend that time. Last Palm Sunday we meet again, and this time I thought that I must tell her that I like her. Most of days we go out and talk hours and hours somewhere, forgetting time.

Now she's on the bus going to Cagayan de Oro and will be heading to Cebu City. I feel very lonely. Our conversations seem like that I have known her since childhood. We share our experiences, our thoughts and our ideas on things. Before she left, she left me with an unanswered question.

Tricky: Will you allow me to court you?
Jackie: I really can't tell.
Tricky: Well it's a YES or NO question ....
Jackie: I still could not say such. I wanted to know you more, especially your feelings. You do have a past with Myra, right? I don't want that I cling on to a relationship with a guy who still has feelings for his ex-girlfriend.
Tricky: Well it has been 2 years since that relationship of ours, and I'd moved on. I do really like to let you know that I'll wait for your answer.
Jackie: I don't regard "Long Distance Relationships" as good. There might be an instance that you might fall-out-of-love for me since I'm so very far or maybe the other way around .... but I do want to know you more.
Tricky: As I will say again, I really would like to wait for your answer ....

So idle will it seem that she's so far away. I guess this is like that of the "Sassy Girl" movie. The wait is still the challenge for me .... AND I WILL TAKE IT!!!!

What Kind Of Blogger Are You?

You Are a Social Blogger!

Your blog is more of a semi-private affair for your friends. It's how you keep in touch... sharing stories, jokes, and pics.

What kind of blogger are you?

I Don't Like Gifts To Be Returned

.... especially from someone that had been dear to my life!!!!

As I arrived at school from a building inspection with Jessie, I noticed Myra with all the smiles she could really expose. When she saw me, suddenly the smiles faded away as if she sees a devil right in front of her. I approach her and said my warmest "Hi" to her. To my surprise, she didn't replied. I wondered why.

I sat beside her together with Jessie. Ernesto was there also to discuss "Clearance" matters. Just as minutes passed Myra said to Ernesto "If Janet will be looking for me tell her that I'm in CED" and off she went. I asked Ernesto if she was mad at me, but he had no clue.

Few minutes had passed Myra returned, and directly she went to the DSP laboratory. Later, William arrived and came to me with a bag.

William: Myra gave me this to give you this.
*Me opening the bag*
Me: What? She's returning the "gifts" I gave her? I can't accept this. Please return this to the rightful owner.

William off went to the DSP laboratory. Minutes later, Janet came over to our place and brought the bag that William just bought.

Janet: Trick, she really insists that you take these.
Me: I don't like my gifts to be returned. What's her problem anyway?
*Janet was silent*

WIthout hesitation, I took the bag and off I went to the DSP laboratory and approached Myra.

Me: "These were intended as gifts, and I don't like it to be returned. Burn it if you like."

I turned my back out of the laboratory. As I walked out, I hear Myra uttering something to me, but I just made those words to come out on the other side of my ear. My day really was turned down because of it.

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I really can't imagine why she would like to return those things to me. First, I thought that I had made something bad that made her furious. As I can recall, there weren't.

Formulating such, maybe she doesn't like me anymore. Worse, maybe she wanted to tell me that she wouldn't like to see me anymore. Worst, she wanted to clear off the memory of me, even of my existence.

Ouch! But oh well, I had moved on without the thoughts of such bitterness that came between us.

To Myra .... sorry if I mention names here ....

.... BUT I WAS REALLY FURIOUS!!!!

Success From MIAS's Third Star Party

I really thought that I could not attend the third Star Party of the MSU-IIT Astronomical Society. The other night we celebrated Stella Hechanova's graduation party. I spent the night with good food (although I am observing the "No-Rice Diet") and not to forget the drinks. I SMS'ed Louie Laguna that I could not attend the Star Party because of a hang-over and I have a Badminton game in the afternoon and Adonis Florida's graduation party could not be missed in the evening.

But anyways, Francis Brigoli and I did came to the MIAS's third Star Party. I was amazed that all people there are so happy that they have seen such wonders of space. Rodion Herrera was able to document it (MIAS Index Page). Of all those mentioned there I only had the chance to see Jupiter with the Galilean Satellites, Saturn (the "yellowish" and the "orange" version) and the Northern Jewel Box near the Southern Cross. I was busy pointing my interest on the Pinwheel galaxy but haven't located it.

It really was a clear sky for the MSU-IIT Astronomical Society!

Mabuhay ang MSU-IIT Astronomical Society!