#fowtoh

(I based my 2016 on my tweets since I used to be more active in Twitter)

2016 was probably the start of the hardcore college days. I was already in my 3rd year, and if I'm not mistaken, it was the year where the majors are at its highest number of units, so I was overload. Plus, we had SAD 2 (Software Engineering class) in the first semester so we had to implement our SAD 1 proposal, and we had Thesis 1 in the second semester.

Aside from that, I was a part of the dance crew of our division when I was in college, so I often competed in a lot of dance competitions especially in school events. I had to juggle dance practices and acads from June to August.

But ya girl was awarded as one of the five most outstanding 2nd year students in the university! (Although I was in 3rd year, the evaluation was based on my performance when I was in 2nd year.

By December, we went to Manila for a programming competition at Ateneo de Manila University and although it was so hard, we got into the top 10 Philippine Teams!

Celebrated my Christmas and New Year with my family and relatives in Singapore! It was actually my first time to travel outside the Philippines for a vacation. Definitely one for the books!

First Day (April 8)

Woke up around 3 in the morning because we have to gather in the bus by 5:30 in the morning. Surprisingly, no one was late so we started the travel by 6. I was also surprised because many professors of the cluster volunteered for the outreach activity despite the mere fact that there are only 3 seminars (so we need 3-6 teachers). Also, many students from all year levels and courses volunteered.

We got there by around lunch, so as soon as we got there, we immediately settled ourselves and assigned rooms. Another surprise to us was the double decks and beds. We expected to sleep on the floor since that’s what happened last year (but it was in a different place in Bukidnon), that’s why we prepared sleeping bags. I was supposed to be sleeping on the lower bed, but they transferred me to the upper bed of one double deck since the previous one who claimed it was heaver than I am. (They freaked out every time they hear the bed’s noises if he moves.) They got ignorant with my wide angle lens so it was used all throughout the 3-day activity.

After we settled, the professors and TSO staff started cooking for our lunch. (Great cooks, to be honest) Most of us took a bath before the first seminar/workshop since water is very scarce in that place.

First seminar/workshop finally started, it was raining hard. We expect less people because of the weather, but numbers didn’t decrease (based on the attendance sheet we have). First seminar/workshop was by Sir Oneil; it was all about powerpoint presentations. As student volunteers, we stayed behind the backs of the attendees and entertained their questions. I stayed at the back with ate Annamie where latecomers gathered. It was a funny thing since both of us had our eyes glued on one person who’s not following instructions during the hands-on part and even if we try to help him, he won’t let us.

First night on the place was good. Dinner together with everyone was the best part. We were just sitting on the floor while we ate. And as we entered the room, we kept on playing cards. (No gambling, of course, just for fun)

Second Day (April 9)

In the morning, we had a workshop about a Photoshop-like program by Sir Ogs, and in the afternoon, we had a workshop by Sir Bernie which we didn’t attend because we went somewhere. In that picture, we were going to lots of rivers because we really need to take a bath. The water was scarce, so we had no other choice but to go the the rivers. It was very fun indeed!

We went back to the place and started playing cards already. At the end of the day, we went to the hall and had a group sharing with our Arrupe coordinator, and we watched movies and gave up eventually. We were about to sleep but instead, we kept on playing cards and did some truth or dare’s.

Third Day (April 10)

We had a mass at their chapel. It was presided by our assistant dean. After which, it was finally time to go home. We had breakfast in the bus on our way home. But before our route home, we first went to the Monastery of Transfiguration in Malaybalay (if I’m not mistaken) and Bemwa Farms in Buda. Sadly we weren’t able to get strawberries, but we managed to buy fresh strawberry jam!

We went straight home and we were supposed to watch Suicide Squad in the bus, but I fell asleep and bumped my head many times. (I was sitting beside the window.)