LoKated

"SUSIpression"

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Posted by katemode

on Sunday, October 10, 2010

I need to hold on to memories and photographs. It hits a hard spot each time I look at anything from the SUSI program. However, I do it anyway. The way I see it, apart from making me cry, doing this makes me happy at the same time. Talk about bittersweet. Sometimes I convince myself (whether or not rightfully) that it's better to feel intensely (even sad emotions) than not feel and be dull around the house.

Now, from the latest lessening contact with co-alumni, I think it's safe to say that most of us still can't think about SUSI without feeling a STRONG pining for everything we finished and left behind. You know, I worry that 5 years for now, I'll still be missing SUSI SO BAD. I mean, it's normal to always miss it even 10 years from now. Heck that's probably inevitable, but to miss it SO BAD for that long? Do I linger to unhealthy extents? I admit I've had poor demonstrations or even ATTEMPTS at moving on. Even with jokes, I laugh the longest. I'd even pause for a good 2 minutes and then start laughing again. That's beside the point though.

Here's the end of it: It hurts, but I need the pictures and articles. I need to look back 'cause how bad it stings is always simultaneously how happy it makes me.

Leaving Carbondale briefly and permanently

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Posted by katemode

on Monday, August 23, 2010

July 19, Monday: Briefing for Chicago & Springfield trip

July 20 - 21: Study tour to Springfield, IL

July 21 - 24: Study tour to Chicago, IL

July 26: Whole day in St. Louis, MO

July 27: *because this deserves special mention* Last day in Carbondale, IL

July 28 - August 1: Trip to Washington DC, VA for the 4-day culminating activity

I'll hyperlink these to reports/stories of the different stays. I wish I'd made them before, so they're fresher in my mind. Too preoccupied with packing and leaving I guess. PACKING is hell.

Soon I swear.

Some of you are probably wondering why I'm still doing all this even if I'm done with the program. Like I said, this is a journal. I want documentation of one of the best things that ever happened to me. :)

All sweetness in a little French colonial town

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Posted by katemode

on Sunday, August 8, 2010

Another leisurely activity planned by SIUC for us was a trip to Ste. Genevieve. The town is, to say the least, absolutely charming. Who doesn't want to be reminded of picturesque Paris combined with old Coca-Cola novelty pieces and pop arts? Did I mention the pin-up girls, vintage ice cream (store) and really cheap coffee? What did I tell you, CHARMING.

Such a cute counter/register. I wasn't able to buy ice cream 'cause I was too diet-conscious, but they said it was hella good.

Coca-cola craaaaze.

Also, I got to wear my hat here (and get away with it) because in the Philippines, if you wear any head dress other than a cap (baseball, rapper) or a bonnet/beanie in urban public, you're gonna get some strange stares. Well, in Ste. Genevieve, there were very few people walking around and it was hot! I needed the hat. Plus, it's America. To each his/her (fashion statement) own. Riiiight?

So, these photos are me trying to look French Fab.

Faisal Hassan took this photo from across the street. ;)

Self-Timer!!!

Self-Timer again. teeheehee

The last two photos, I took in front of this beautiful Roman Catholic church with a magnificent steeple.

It was so high, the church, and sadly, I wasn't able to take a photo of the whole church. I did take some other photos of charming Ste. Genevieve.

Lyons Park (?) Cute name and cute park. :)

Found a new pet peeve in Six Flags too

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Posted by katemode

on

I like me some lelaki panas w/ hot bods, I do, BUT...

what. the F. is this?!

Apparently, they call it a stringer tank?? Dude, I have never seen so many guys in TANK TOPS as I did in Six Flags. I already dislike guys walking around in wife-beaters in public (save it for the bedroom or the house or just under your shirts), but this stringer was a whole new level. It was a little close to forgivable on some good looking guys (but still not forgivable), and it just looked so wrong on some of the really scrawny guys.

Seriously, I'm appealing to all the hot guys out there: DO NOT WEAR STRINGER TANKS. Please and thank you!

Six Flags Flashback

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Posted by katemode

on

So, we woke up hella early to leave Boomer at 8am for SIX FLAGS AMUSEMENT PARK!

I was pretty stoked. Oh what the heck, I was HELLA stoked from days before, hours before and the first few minutes into it. Uh-oh, do you smell disappointment?

Maybe it was a little bit of a let-down, but not 'cause of the place and the rides. It was the people, the lines, the heat, the sweat, the bag restrictions. Sheesh! I say, if I can keep my bag safe, let me bring it with me, or please hold it for me until I finish the ride, yeah? Now, I sound like a real Six Flags hater right now, but please don't convince yourselves of that just yet. I had fun too, just not the fun I expected.

Thank goodness for SUSI friends who kept my temper in check for the most part. Also, shout out to Mirah and Ridhwan for AGAIN offering me free food. Haha.

The rides I enjoyed the most were Batman and Mr. Freeze. You can visit http://www.sixflags.com/ to find out more about these rides. While you're on that website, kindly check out the THRILL RIDES because that was supposed to be my Six Flags check list. Well, I couldn't accomplish it because I am part of a group that wanted to do all other rides too. I went solo for some rides, but yeah, it's not the same. Besides, I'm 19. Got a lot of time to go back to Six Flags. By then, I'll be more prepared and actually not bring much anymore. Hahaha

Sorry for the lack of anything to say or write about Six Flags. As I mentioned, I was disappointed big time with the lack of thrill and excitement and COOL (DAMN YOU SUN!). Plus, our stuff was mostly in lockers because most rides require that you don't bring anything with you. Stuff = camera, clothes, phone, wallet, etc. (Imagine the hassle of that too. Okay okay I'll stop ranting. hahaha)

To try to end on a positive note, the best part of this day was Deisha, Kiki, Mirah, Ridhwan, Ikang, Angga, Achie, John, Sedfrey, Janvic, Billy, Arvin, Nhel, Fareeza, Joann, Farah, Sabina, Chris, Faisal, Joel, Drew, Cary and Josh! I swear I would've gone on a mad outbreak if y'all weren't there. <3>

Some pre-Six Flags photos:

And the next one is right before we take on BATMAAAAN

Pretty fun ride. ;)

Tootles!

Filler for the Blog and the Stomach

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Posted by katemode

on Saturday, July 24, 2010

For the lack of my usual chronological updates, I thought I'd squeeze in some non-SUSI-related posts. Well, this was done w/in the SUSI time frame and in Boomer Hall. Still, not a part of the program/schedule. :p

I made/cooked Family recipes for my Filipino co-participants (and everyone else who wanted to taste or have their portions).

I won't claim the recipes as Filipino dishes for sure correctness. So far, this is my checklist:

1. Tuna Sandwich (hence the "made" word in the 2nd paragraph, as opposed to just putting "cooked")

2. Filipino style sweet spaghetti (difference: sugar and BANANA CATSUP added)

6. Munggo Guisado (Mung Beans, shrimp, beef, garlic, bitter gourd leaves, etc)

3. Pork Spareribs (my favorite slash dad's specialty)

4. Adobo sa Gata (coconut milk instead of soy sauce and other replacements/additions to original adobo)

5. Beef Tapa (Failed. Sort of.. I just used left overs for this. heehee)

I was only able to document the Pork Spareribs cooking process. :)

Props to the International Grocery and Drew for the soy sauce and the rice vinegar respectively.

Pork Spareribs from Walmart. I bought about...4 pounds of meat?

Yellow bell pepper, huge white onion, Jalapeno, Ginger (I wasn't able to photograph the garlic and green bell pepper)

Seemed more like I was chopped on my chopping block, and you'll know why in the next photo caption/background info/text.

Took more time cutting these up than the actual cooking time. Amateur mistake in food prep: I didn't thaw it hours before. :))

From these to bite size cuts in the coming pictures.

First half of the cooking process. In my opinion, this is the most exciting smell experience of cooking. All the juices and flavors of the ingredients are fresh and pouring. Ginger, onion, garlic, pork, salt, pepper, etc.

AND...dun dun dun