Life's an Orange

I realized I have three orange objects on my table today. I'm a big fan of the orange color. So, I decided to take pictures of ém.

Still Life with Orange

An Orange Ring

Aura, a senior student, is selling this ring

grr..

Got pissed off with two rude USC officers this afternoon. One of them's going to be in the Prom.

A Night in the Museum

Let me tell you the tale of my rather strange encounter with the third kind.

It was another ordinary Friday morning for me. I had my schedule set for the whole day.


8-12nn: dance practice
12-1pm: lunch break
1-3: checking of test papers
3-5: faculty meeting
5-7: watch "Emir" in SM City

So I found it annoying that my friend and classmate from UP called me and asked a BIG favor. This is how the conversation went.

Me: Hello, Jurex?
Jureca: Van, favor please. Are you free this afternoon?
Me: Uh-oh, yep. Actually, I'll attend... (she cuts me off)
Jureca: Van, can you please take over my place as an emcee in Museo Iloilo this evening? They have this opening of exhibit featuring Ilonggo artists.
Me: Ahm, I don't think I can... (she cuts me off again)
Jureca: Please, Van. I can't because I have my midterm tomorrow and I'm feeling sick. Plus, I still have to go to Miag-ao.
Me: Why did you accept that in ... (cut off for the third time)
Jureca: My friend forced me to. She said if I can't make it I have to look for somebody to replace me. You're the first person who came into my mind. Van, please, please, please......
Me: ok
Jureca: Thank you, Van. I owe you big. I'm gonna...

Ok, it's my turn to cut her off.

I thought it's actually going to be a great way to spend my evening. I'll be meeting artists! With that, I went home to take a nap, change into my favorite pair of slacks and went back to school just in time for the faculty meeting. Halfway through the speech of the dean, I realized that to get to the museum I have to walk the length of the Gaisano City bridge. And that's just what happened. I escaped from the meeting, took a taxi with Jureca and Joyce only until Gaisano City and walked from there until the museum. I deserve an award for trekking about five miles in my killer high heels.

Joyce, UPV Professor of History

Jureca and her Armenian nose.

The program/exhibit proper shall start at 6PM exactly but Joyce and Jureca left me at around 5 because they had to catch a ride home. I was introduced to the curator and the administrative assistant but apart from them I didn't know a single soul. It's a good thing a batchmate of mine in college named Rosemarie Galvez was there. So I was glad all throughout the exhibit I had someone to chat and giggle with.

Ms. Rose, a faculty in San Agustin

Out of the 13 artists featured, only six came to be introduced during the opening program.

Christian Euren Lozanes and his work

It was when cocktails were served that I encountered the third kind for the first time. He looked very handsome in his roquelaire (long jacket) and unlit pipe and he also looked very eccentric. Who would want to wear thick and outlandish European fashion during the pre-Dinagyang festivals? Not to mention clothes straight out of Jose Rizal's era? All eyes were on him but he certainly didn't mind. I couldn't help but giggle with Rose. He looked like a Chinese don so we asked Christian who he is. The artist said he's actually also Ilonggo but he just likes to dress up that way. Well, I thought he's a good example of an eccentric artist. I badly wanted to have my picture taken with him so I asked Rose to snap a picture of me pretending to watch one of the paintings while he's standing not very far from me.

Yep, that's his back alright

When the crowd was starting to get thinner, I managed to have a talk with this peculiar man. I asked him where his work is. He pointed to the drawing of three ladies. I commented that it's really good. He replied in his British accent that it's not yet complete actually. I asked what part was not complete. He said, "it's the sine qua non of the painting." I racked my brains to remember the meaning of the French word. Alas, I wasn't able to. I managed to have a closer look at his face, though. I thought he looked really cute with his sleek hair, vintage clothes, and devil may care attitude. Then he asked me, "And who might you be?" When I started to reply he held out his left hand. I found it odd that he wanted a left-handed handshake. But do you know what he did? He kissed my hand instead of shaking it! I repeat, he kissed my hand! HE KISSED MY HAND! HE KISSED MY HAND! I was totally floored over. He also kissed Ms. Rose's hand. And with that, he strode out of the exhibit room.

I forgot the title of his work

His name's Ike Villaruel and he kissed my hand ;)

I giggled some more with Rose after that. He's a strange man, indeed but what a true gentleman. When I went home and trekked the long walk from the museum to La Paz market, I thought having my schedule disrupted wasn't so bad, after all. As long as there will be another Ike Villaruel to kiss my hand like that I wouldn't mind walking another mile in my killer shoes.

Ahem. Don't we look good together? :)))))

And that ends my tale of the encounter with the third kind. If you're wondering why the third kind, it's because I consider artists to belong to a different kind of specie. They're special people.

Procrastination

Oh, yes. Don't ever think that teachers don't laze around. They usually reprimand students for being lazy but as a human being, I think it's normal to feel that way (as long as you don't overdo it). It's a cultural thing, too. As Filipinos we easily succumb to manana habit. I'm beginning to sound like a sociologist so before I continue any further, let me just tell you why I posted this entry in the first place and why the title, you say?

First, instead of checking your blogs, my dear students I'm reading beauty and fashion blogs instead.
Second, University Week is next week already and Literary-Musical Contests will be on Friday but I still haven't made Melbin's oration piece.
Third, we'll be discussing about Feminism this Saturday in grad school but I haven't opened my textbook since last Saturday. I'll just have to tell my teacher that I'm the embodiment of a true feminist.
Fourth, I haven't edited the Blue Quill articles since last year. They're old news already. I sure suck as a paper adviser.
Fifth, is that I'm still typing here when I'm really supposed to be doing my work.

So, I got to go now. And thank you, dear students for following me. On a lighter note, It's our JS Prom two weeks from now. I found a good top. I'm thinking of having a matching skirt made. Wee! Excited, kids? I am.

Before I go, I'd like to post a pic of my pet.



It's actually a coin bank. I'm saving for a Bangkok escapade this summer with Maám Gemma. It doesn't have a name yet. Suggestions? If it's got a name, I'll definitely treat it more like a real pet and so will receive more coin-food. Name suggestions, please :)



As you can see, I'm not sure what its gender is, so any male or female names will do. Suggest a name and state your reason why you think it's a good name. The person who can suggest the most interesting name will get a really good surprise from me ;)

P.S. Its name is not NONO. I just put two N stickers there to remind me that I shouldn't think of opening the coin bank ever!

Mom

You carried the world for me...


Now it's my turn to carry the world for you.