When you Stop Posting in your Journal or Blog or Community for a while

This might be a long story. Please just stop if you won't read it until the last period or not interested. You might just miss some good stories though.

OK. That was a long post title. I planned to just use That was a Real Hiatus as a title for this blog post, but I decided to copy the meaning of hiatus en toto, instead. It could be a real change. So, yes, titles for my blog posts starting today will be a meter long.

Table Tennis I

I have a background of table tennis when I was in high school. I was already senior that time. I tried to play with the younger students and had an idea of the game, and then I graduated.

I really thought I would not be playing that sport again, but thanks to SABM and to those kind people in that room. I was able to learn the game so much.

I can still remember that time I entered that PE room where the SABM table tennis team is playing. There was Darell, an old pal standing at one end of the table, playing with someone who is easily identified as a member of the team because of his body movement and the way he played, not mentioning the uniform he was wearing. He is Mac. I smiled and watched them finish the game. And then I was introduced to the people inside the room. That was the beginning of my table tennis story in the university.

I met Mabs, John, Sheree and other members of the team, people who never said "You do not belong here" despite the poor games I've been showing. They gave me a chance to change my game, the way I move on the other side of the table, and later I felt better. I played better games.

I can still remember how they laugh at me when I hit the ball. Kuya Stephen even mimicked my movements, so I realized that I should listen to them. I accepted that I have to practice a thousand times because I know I have to.

Now, I am in my fourth year in college. I have been playing table tennis in the past two years but never have I considered to be serious about it. I do not yet own any racket then not until lately when I decided to buy one. I chose to use long pips in my BH and I must say, it's fun! But I have to master yet the rubber I'm using.

I can hear the sound of the balls bouncing on the table. I can hear the screech of the shoes moving around. I can hear the sound of the spins and drives. I am really excited to see the development of my game.

Second Semester and Free Will

The second semester has taken me back to the days of studying in Viga. It reminded me of the salad days in that Elementary school where I also first felt the pressure and importance of studying harder. Although I would say that I didn't give my all in this semester for the heck of me being this lazy and happy-go-lucky fella, I couldn't stop asking myself, "Was it a wake-up call for me?" It rang a bell.

I felt like it was a body call too, that I laid low and became a satisfied mediocre person much as I wished to be. But in the process, I was taken aback of everything I did – not so good for one who knows that he can do better. The sin of omission, they say.

My law prof has been mentioning this in our class that it is not good to choose not to act the way you should have been when you could have done better and you know you are capable doing of. I could not make an excuse because I know I am guilty.

I had three Accounting and two Law subjects this semester, which made it challenging. I swear I studied 401 to the limit, but barely read Labor, 203 and 303. It’s a shame.

To say the least, I am still proud that I fared well, although I hated myself for being so blind of this statement of grumpy Deneil Young, that if I am going to try [something], I might as well aim for the top.

I learned a lot nonetheless during this semester. I got closer to some old friends and acquaintances before and met a few people – friends I could already say. Drawing circles again! Aha.

And aside from the heavy books I carry every day, I added some novels, again, in the cabinet. I read another Grisham and found a new author. It's better to read than not read at all.

One hurrah moment maybe was being able to familiarize myself with teachers and students. But you know, I had a seatmate I never talked to but there are also those whom I built battery with (in baseball, it is when the pitcher is synched with the catcher). I have to thank them for playing a good game.

One simple act of two great professors delighted me so much. I received a Snickers from a prof for being attentive "daw" during her classes when what I only remember was nodding and smiling (just kidding ma'am, I learned a lot from you not just the lessons we have in our book), and a "libre" from a prof who has been teaching in the university for almost 20 years and is just so humble that he can make friends with young people like us. They are very admirable.

My thanks and admiration is also to this professor who shared simple, but BIG words for us students who are in pursuit of a dream. May we reach the end.

I would like to congratulate everybody who did not quit the battle. Our sleepless nights will be rewarded soon. Getting what we deserve will make us really happy, and getting more than what we deserve is another blessing. Yahoo!

Going back to mediocrity, I realized that whatever people may show us, it is still our option to follow our inner voice. Yes. What’s good in life is that until we do not die, we experience these things and then we learn something about them. We realize our actions and we reflect on them.

There is so much for one to hold. There are those we cannot control, those we couldn't live up to. There are also those we already have: ones we deserve and not, ones we ignore while others long for, ones we enjoy, but ones they loathe, and ones we are thankful for but the ones they cannot appreciate.

THIS IS LIFE. What are we supposed to do?

Let's use our free will.