Thesis Tough Lovin'

My thesis adviser and I had a short conversation regarding my topic yesterday. I was having a little bit of difficulty with regard to phrasing my problem statement and it's almost mid-February--defense season is more or less just a month away. As I write this, I officially turned on the switch for Panic Serious Thesis Mode.

Before going any further, I would like to make my thesis topic clear; because in the next weeks it's all that I would be talking about. My undergraduate thesis is about In-Game Advertising and what makes it an optimum strategy for a company. My respondents would come from the company that ventured into IGAs instead of those who play the games (because then, it would have a mass communication perspective). Wow, explaining it in this post made itself a lot clearer to me as well. Niiiice.

You can be certain that when I talk about video games, I am doing my thesis.

My advertising professor, sir Chong Ardivilla said that I should look for a respondent company and a suitable framework first. I have decided to contact Level Up! Games but have yet to send them an e-mail because I am not sure of what to ask yet. Gosh, I should be moving fast if I hope to get a favorable response. I have found an academic journal with what I think should be a very useful framework which I will work on as of now.

Do you really want to know why I just turned on the most serious Game Face I ever had in my 16 years of studying and 20 years of existence? Because yesterday, my thesis adviser said:

"Ay oo nga pala, Advertising si Chong. You should get him as a panelist if ever na magde-defend ka next year."

If you didn't react to the last statement, I MOST CERTAINLY DID. It's supposed to be NEXT MONTH and not next year! That's how my thesis adviser encourages us--and boy, isn't he a model of some serious tough loving which is very fatherly indeed (no sarcasm intended). And to tell you the truth, his reverse psychology actually worked on me. Us, actually.

Looking back on my adviser's statement, take note of the words if ever. He used those words because the assumption is I defend next month. And it's not just going to remain as the assumption, IT WILL BE THE CONCLUSION.

So to make this very public and cause me some serious humiliation if I ever eat these words, I am posting this photo that has been sitting on my hard disk drive since November. I do not believe in any jinx or whatever anymore, I just believe in some serious motivation and the grace of God.

Moroño, Karen Christine Dela Cruz 2007-30656

BA Organizational Communication Class of 2011

University of the Philippines Manila

I will defend my thesis next month, Graduate on April 15 2011, Get my TOR and Diploma, get a job, take a shot at Law School, be the pride of my parents, and ultimately give back all the highest glory, honor, and praise to the mighty and matchless name of my Lord Jesus Christ. Soli Deo Gloria!

I can make it through anything in The One who makes me who I am.

--Philippians 4:13 (MSG)

"Sarap Mabuhaaaaaay!"

Oo, dapat may conviction.

Para sa'yo, bakit masarap mabuhay? :)

Project ng ilan sa mga batchmates ko ang Sarap Mabuhay. Habang sinusulat ko to, binabaha ang Facebook news feed ko ng status messages na nagsasabi ng kanya-kanyang dahilan. May ibang pa-deep, inlab (Sarap mabuhay pag kasama si Nad --Lara), nakakakilig (Sarap mabuhay pag ika’y minamahal ng tunay! ♥ --Eya), at simple lang (Masarap mabuhay pag may broadband connection ka sa bahay. Hahahaha –Diane F).

Napaisip ako. Nasabi ko na ba kahit minsan kung bakit “Masarap Mabuhay?” Kasi nung nakita ko yung mga sagot nila, wala akong maisip na dahilan on the spot.

Sarap Mabuhay, magmahal, at magsaya. Kailangan pa ba ng dahilan kung ang buhay mo'y parang sa bida ng isang napakagandang pelikula? :) --KC

Kaya pala. Yung pelikula ko, hindi pa tapos yung Direktor sa paggawa. Pero syempre nag-eenjoy naman ako kasama ang kapwa ko artista, at so far, for-the-win ang mga na-shooting nang eksena. Merong sobrang bigat na drama, suspense, action, inspirational, at situational comedy na talagang mapapa-LOL ka. Walang remake, walang cut scenes, lahat original na gawa. Samahan mo pa ng magandang soundtrack, dahil sa huli, lahat yan ay pagsasama-samahin sa isang box-office na pelikula. (Wow, rhyming lahat.)

Pero syempre, sa likod ng nagpapanggap na metaphor, meron talaga akong mga dahilang simple lang.

Sarap mabuhay...

Dahil may Yellowcab na malapit lang.
Dahil sa instant good vibes na dala ng Skittles.

Dahil may pinadala si Lord na mga kaibigan.

Dahil nakakatulog nang sandali lang, at mag-rakenrol sa natitira pang oras!

Dahil may iPod.

Dahil may video games na paglalabasan ng sama ng loob.

 Dahil may remote control.

Dahil may Parokya ni Edgar, Eraserheads, Westlife, at Chuck.

Dahil may mga pelikulang tulad ng 500 Days of Summer na wawasakin ang konsepto mo ng pag-ibig, ngunit gayunpaman, naniniwala ka pa rin.

Dahil iba’t iba tayo ng paniniwala.

Dahil may mga simpleng tanong na mapapaisip ka tulad nito, na patunay ng kalamangan mo sa ibang nilalang—ang mag-isip.

Simple lang, dahil may pag-asa para magpatuloy.

Para sa'yo, bakit masarap mabuhay?

The Next Best Wedding Video

Nakakakilig. Pramis.

"If there's a chance that I can get closer to the waters, I might as well just have the guts and take the dive. If I drown and got tossed back to the shore, I'll be coughing and gasping for breath, and then I'll be okay. At least I knew how deep it is, which is better than to forever wonder how fun and exciting it could be to take the plunge and feel the coolness of the water against my sun-burnt skin." 

--Me to Myself (when I know I am supposed to take a risk)

Because sometimes you have to quote your instincts. They are never wrong.

However, distinguishing instinct from sheer stupidity is another matter that I am still learning until now. I just hope that now is not the time for the latter. I want to dive into these waters without getting drowned more than anything else.

To Heaven and Back ♥

Hi, Though you may not know it, you give me unlimited kilig thoughts with no expiration date.

If this is just fan service (or sidekick-service for that matter) or some other friendship tandem, I hope the episodes do not end. Because to tell you the truth, I've never been happier than this.

Thanks, superhero. :)

You'll see, I'll take you to heaven and back again... and I'm only your friend.

My Thesis Sibs are Excited!

Eric, pareho tayo ng accomplishment. Just look at it this way: Si Lord ang Adviser natin. What can go wrong? :)

You have Potential, but... Nevermind.

I have had a crush on this guy since he became my classmate in a General Education subject. He’s the typical tall-mestizo-handsome guy with glasses that usually catches my attention. Being the curious creature that I am, and applying what I have learned from watching spy shows like Chuck, I decided to do some research. I found his Facebook account, learned that he graduated from an exclusive high school (which made me doubt; boys from exclusive high schools that I know are either gays or cheaters BUT I don't generalize okay), and was a transferee from another “Big Four” university. Then I got more interested.

I typed the crush’s name (I just knew his first and last name) on Google and I came up with 2 results: (1) a class list that includes his full name (turns out he has a second name-- works to my advantage if I want to find out our compatibility through F.L.A.M.E.S. haha) and… wait for it– (2) a hate-filled blog post by a girl after he broke her heart. Also includes his full name, middle name even.

I was shocked, but instead of thinking more about how he could have broken her heart, the first thing that came to my mind was OC152 (Thank heavens, even when I am smitten, I never forget to wear my OrCom Hat!) The internet can do as much as to destroy your reputation.

With just one click, the cute GE classmate lost his appeal to me.

2007 - xxxxx

 

This photo was taken during the time that:

The CAS gate was still the one on the parking lot

The dominant RH entrance was the one facing the parking lot

The RH steps facing Oble's butt is closed

Rice-in-a-Box costs 40 pesos

Kuya Photox was still on the Batcave

I sleep on the reserve section of the Library (wait, I still do)

Robert Go was CAS chair

We join a lot of freshie contests

 Reading into Writing 1 is the bible

Philosophical Analysis and R. Constantino make you cry

We really thought that Math 11 is the end of our UP Life

The Batcave is a dead spot for any mobile network (wait, it still is)

We ALWAYS go to Rob Ermita for lunch

 We think upperclassmen will eat us alive

We were VERY concerned with what to wear

  We have FPF for PE

 Freshies start their student number with "2007".

 

How fast time flies.

True as God's Stars

"A loving woman finds heaven or hell on the day she is made a bride."

It's a day before February, and we all know what that means. What? Flowers, chocolates, teddy bears and all things red, fluffy, and scented. Everyone's looking for a partner, and this month would be another month for SMPs (this time, Samahan ng Malalamig ang Pebrero). Love is all around, and yesterday's Sunday service gave it a start. The preaching was from Ephesians 5:22-33, something about Wives and Husbands.

I found myself laughing along with the elders as they relate to what the pastor says about husband-wife relationships. A lot were proud that they managed to keep their relationships strong for their children, and some were also laughing, maybe together with the regrets of what they could have done.

One thing I am thankful for, though, is that my mom had always set a good example of a wife for me to follow someday (that I really, seriously, prayerfully, hope I can follow).

This morning God led me to a post in Joshua Harris' Website (if the guy's name sounds familiar to you, he is the author of the books "I kissed dating goodbye" and "Boy meets Girl", among others). This made me smile and made me rethink of my worth as a woman (it feels weird to actually call myself a "woman", really) and as a person. To the ladies out there, here's what you should ask. To the men, prepare your answers... and they ought to be all "yes". ;)

A Woman's Question

 Mary "Lena" Lathrop

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing

Ever made by the hand above--
A woman's heart, and a woman's life
And a woman's wonderful love?

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy,
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy?

You have written my lesson of duty out,
Man-like you have questioned me;
Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart to be true as God's stars,
And as pure as heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef;
I require a far better thing.
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts;
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called home,
And a man that the maker, God,
Shall look upon as he did the first
And say, "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose will fade
From my soft, young cheek one day,
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mid the bloom of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give all this, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot do this -- a laundress and cook
You can hire, with little to pay,
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

 

Now that's exactly what a woman is worth! And that's exactly what love is about-- giving all things that are grand and true, and being all that your partner demands of you.

So, are you willing to do all these things for the one you love?

Ikaw lang ang superhero na magliligtas sa'kin dito.

I hope that from now on I'll be posting less emo/sloppy/dramatic/whatev entries. There's more to life than just one person. Maybe he's still out saving the world (or studying hard). And if he is, so must I, in order for us to make a kick-ass team-up in the future. Hah!

Moroño, 2011 (Revamped)

Pwede pagbigyan nyo ako? Saglit lang ngayong gabi (teka umaga na pala). At pagbigyan nyo ako, magtatagalog muna ako. Hehe.

Miss na miss na miss na miss na kita. Sobra. Sooooobra. Hindi ko alam kung alam mong ikaw ang tinutukoy ko, pero sasabihin ko pa rin at mananalig na sana ay mailabas mo ang pagiging feelingero at hubarin ang pagiging manhid kahit saglit lang. Miss na miss na kita. Hindi ko alam kung ano yung nagiging dahilan ko para magpatuloy pa ng ganito, kahit na parang sidekick mo lang naman ako-- yung Jughead ni Archie, Milhouse ni Bart, Morgan ni Chuck, Robin ni Batman.

Napaisip tuloy ako kung may posibilidad ba na ma-promote ang sidekick at maging leading lady-- Yung Lois Lane ni Superman, Mary Jane ni Spider-Man, at Sarah Walker ni Chuck Bartowski.

Pwede naman 'di ba?

Miss na miss na miss na miss na kita. Ang sarap ulit-ulitin. Sabi rin ni Doc Ock sa Spider-Man 2, "Love should never be a secret. If you keep something as complicated as love stored up inside, it will gonna make you sick." Kaya eto na, sasabihin ko na...

Lab kita. Lab na lab kita. Ikaw ang power-up ko, parang spinach ni Popeye at bato ni Darna. Pero ikaw rin ang kahinaan ko, parang alcohol ni Iron Man, Kryptonite ni Superman, at damdamin ni Chuck.

At kahit na feeling superhero ako, ayokong sagipin ang mundo kung hindi naman ikaw ang ka-tandem ko.