Pressing Onward
Posted on 10.22.07 4:35PM under General Entries
In a small struggle of emotional selfishness, I held back on updates to leave my dedication post for my grandfather. However, doing so would be failing to continue with the forward march that life leads us. And even if I remain in a stagnant position, I would be the only one suffering the consequences, as everything goes on without me. Living a dynamic life would be a greater honor to give to my grandaddy than a static fixation on the past, which I have no control over.
Coming back home was rather disappointing. All that greeted me were tons of schoolwork that piled up while I was gone. Three informal, but still tedious, reports are due Tuesday, along with a minor research paper, which equal a big pain in the rear section. The citation formats are already annoying on their own, which compounds with the difficulty of the subject matter. Critiquing philosophical essays regarding the nature of literature is difficult due to the content involved. Way too many convoluted theories from people who could not get a single thought across. And of course, the awesome student that I am, I’ve left it all to the last minute.
I’ve put it off as much as I can, spending the Saturday at a Don Moen concert. It was a wonderful experiences, and while he only had two backup singers, he had the entire audience as his choir. There’s something captivating about having hundreds of voices blend into this one powerful force that sort of stirs you up from the inside. Infrasound effects, perhaps? Anyhoo, the next day I was over my cousin’s house because her Dad wanted a tribute feast for gramps. Very Filipino to center it on food. As said by a speaker in Don Moen’s concert, we Filipinos are “always happy, always smiling, and always eating.” How true!
Anyways, Sunday was really nice with family around. While the adults gossiped, we played Guitar Hero (well, I watched while they played) and took pictures with Photo Booth. We also popped in Mr. Bean videos to pass the time until we has to go. I pretty much slept afterwards and got up to go to class today. My Writing Lab course is a total waste of time, but whatever. We’re usually out after thirty minutes so it’s only a slight inconvenience. I tried getting some of my work done in the library, but when you’re a professional procrastinator, it’s really difficult to focus. I surfed the web, read encyclopedias on every topic except what I was supposed to write on, browsed through magazines, and basically abandoned my papers.
It’s well into the afternoon and I have done completely nothing. I’ll wait a few more hours, until my body starts panicking and adrenaline kicks into overdrive. I decided I’ll go cold turkey on my slothfulness and quit lollygagging on school. After these papers, I should be caught up on my work and can take my classes more with better stride, providing a good base to start fresh.
Posted by Jeff on 10.23.07 12:37 pm
I know how you feel about school. For only this semester, I have to get a C- in all my classes for a Satisfactory. Right now, I have a D in Chem Lab and a F in Calc II. Yeah, I have to do better academically.
Posted by Ciel on 10.23.07 1:54 pm
the memoriam entry your wrote is simply beautiful and very moving. i’m glad you enjoyed spending time with your family. very important during these times. i wish you all the best with everything. eh and i guess especially with all of your homework
Posted by Meg on 10.23.07 7:09 pm
I always hated doing home work so i know the feeling.
Posted by Jaleesa on 10.23.07 8:42 pm
Your procrastination is making me nervous. O_o Sending loads of superhuman strength your way.
Posted by Laota on 10.24.07 3:50 am
You should post those Photo Booth pics, it all sounds nice, with the Mr. Bean and all. A good place to find writing help is Wordplay. It’s for screenwriters, but the columns have helped me a lot with my decidedly not-screenwriting fiction. Goodluck with your classes, and Happy Halloween!
Posted by Brittany on 10.24.07 8:58 am
I love Mr. Bean! He is so funny. I don’t own any of his movies though. It sounds like you had a good time.
I might try to play Guitar Hero. Looks like a fun game.
Try to catch up on that work and good luck in all your classes.
Posted by Christine on 10.25.07 9:30 am
I heard guitar hero was a great game to play.. i’m going to have to buy it and check it out for myself cuz it looks really fun!
Posted by abovethelies on 10.25.07 11:44 pm
Damn dude sounds like it’s been a long week. Hope it all went good and you got those papers done.. it’s been that kind of week for me too. So much school work and I’m a pro-procrastinator as well haha. My family deals with stuff centralizing around food too, I guess it’s comforting in a way..
Posted by Brandon on 10.27.07 5:42 pm
Eek, I’m also a major procrastinator. I have an English project due Monday and I don’t have much of it done, so I’ll be spending tomorrow evening rereading my novel and hoping I actually remember bits of it to write a summary.
Posted by Aileen on 10.27.07 10:28 pm
Don’t wait for work to pile high up before acting on them but then again, other things seem to be more important than homework (homework? tchah!)
Posted by Angela on 10.28.07 1:39 pm
I am really sorry to hear about your grandfather’s passing. You are right though.. life does go on. He wouldn’t want you dwelling on things that make you sad and can’t be changed. People sometimes forget to celebrate life, in their mourning for someone’s passing. It’s sad that he’s gone, but it’s so wonderful that he was here. You know?
Posted by Cole on 10.28.07 8:25 pm
I know how you feel with school work, I’m being OVERLOADED with work, I really can’t take it. I hope that gets better for you.
Posted by Daniielle on 10.30.07 10:10 am
“always happy, always smiling, and always eating.”
hahaa. yea, you’re right. it’s true and those are the best things to do.
Posted by Lou on 10.30.07 3:32 pm
My condolences to you. You must be pretty overwhelmed coping with your grief and still having to deal with life. But like you said, life goes on.
Posted by Chelsea on 10.30.07 9:56 pm
Sorry for your loss but you are right, moving onward is all you can do.
I hate watching people play Guitar Hero they always make it look so easy. I’ve played a few times before and I’m okay but not near as good as everyone else I know.
Posted by Shannon on 10.31.07 2:32 am
First and foremost, I am very sorry to hear about your grandfather. I lost my mother some years ago so I pretty much know how you’re feeling. Maybe not exactly, but to some extent. Your memoriam was very moving.
I’m a huge procrastinator at times, but with my hectic life, I’ve realized that it’s probably best that I attempt to complete tasks when I’m supposed to. It relieves stress and saves time for other things that may just happen to pop up or what have you.
Posted by angela (despair) on 11.04.07 12:20 pm
Argh, school work. The worst bit about school without a doubt.
I too, have about 5 essays to complete for philosophy and ethics due in tomorrow (!) so I feel your pain.
Hope you get yours done in before they are due in ! I definitely won’t XD
Posted by Joana on 11.04.07 10:27 pm
While it is important to remember and never forget the people we’ve lost the important thing, as you just said, is moving on. That’s not to say they’re not important, but we do have to continue living and they [the deceased] know this and would want us to.
Homework overload! I’m so sorry.
Procrastinating and putting it off in lieu of a concert though was well done. Although, I don’t think I’ve ever heard of the guy you went to see. =/
Posted by Becky on 11.07.07 2:09 pm
Wow, thats alot of homework! Good Luck, hope you get it done on time
Posted by Merinn on 11.07.07 6:14 pm
I know how you feel. Homework does suck.
But at least you had a fun day with the concert and Guitar Hero. It’s so hard when there are distractions…to…oh hey look a penny!
Kidding. xD
Posted by Sarah on 11.09.07 4:36 pm
Sorry to hear about your granddad. I know that wherever he is now, he’s at peace.
I hope you feel better soon and that your family are coping alright.
I’m a bit behind on my homework too, so I know how you feel. I go to college and I’m crap at handing in assignments on time! I’m generally a bit disorganised, really. xD
xox