When you gain, you lose.
Why oh why am I losing EVERYTHING? =(
The weakness of man.
No matter how strong we may be
No matter how wealthy we are
No matter how beautiful and dashing we look
No matter how far we’ve gone
In our careers, in our lives
We will always belong
To the One who created us
Out of dust…
Allah.
Funnily, little do we realize how weak and helpless we all are.
Always remember that once you enter the courtroom, the judge is the god.
I’m now in the office and I just got back from the RTC Makati, Branch 148, which happens to be presided by my former professor, the Honorable Judge Oscar B. Pimentel.
I, along with Ruby (UST), Gian (UST), Reiz (UP), Sheila (UP), and Elaine (Ateneo), observed the hearing of a controversial and very popular case. (I’m not sure if I can reveal it here for confidentiality reasons but to be sure, I’ll just keep it to myself. Sorry.) It is the first time for me to be in a court room and to observe court proceedings. (Thank God Judge Pimentel’s courtroom was really nice and decent-looking…unlike most courts I’ve seen elsewhere.) It was a good learning experience for me as I have seen how the lawyers conduct themselves in court, how they argue (over small things, sometimes), and how a witness is examined (in this case, re-direct and re-cross examination). And I have also seen and witnessed what lawyers mean when they say that in a courtroom, the judge is the god.
After the hearing, Gian, Ruby and I went inside the office of Judge Pimentel to thank him for allowing us to observe in his sala. We told him that we are from UST and then he said to me, “O, I remember you. You grew up in the Middle East and I gave you a grade of 94, 95.” I was smiling and nodding. “Keep it up! You are going to top the bar.” I blushed a little and assured him that I was going to do my best. (But honestly, I just want to PASS the bar!!! Haha.)
He then went on and told us about his vacation in the US. He visited his son there who is now a member of the New York bar and is about to take the California bar as he and his wife are moving to San Diego. WOW. Galing talaga. (Could that be his very cute and cool son that Tere and I were stalking when we were in first year? Haha.)
We wanted to take pictures with him but he looked tired and exhausted from the trip. Sayang. Next time, we will. =)
Thank you so much, Judge Pimentel! =) (He really is one of my favorite professors in UST! He’s very good plus he’s kind and accommodating to his students. He was my professor in Criminal Law.)
After our court visit, we proceeded to Amici (Don Bosco) to have lunch. I enjoyed not only because the food was great (Oh, they have the yummiest, mouth-watering gelati! Haha! I had blueberry gelato…I actually wanted to try all the flavors! Hehe.) but also because I was in good company. I enjoyed conversing with them. It was really fun. =)
I have to say this is one of the most productive and loaded-with-fun summer vacations I’ve ever had! (Although it’s not technically a vacation because I do a lot of work!) Thank God I’m here at the OSG!!! =)
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I have yet to post about my Bilibid visit with the other legal interns, courtesy of ASG Karl B. Miranda. It’s such an overwhelming experience that I don’t know how to start it. Haha. I will write about it soon. =)
BRAINDEAD AND BLONDE EPISODES.
OMG. Today, I have to say, is one of my worst blonde episodes. Ever. Actually, I’ve been having blonde moments the past few days.
I forget very basic words. For the past days, there were times that I found myself staring at the ceiling, trying so hard to think of THAT word that would best express or describe whatever it was I was saying.
The other day, I was going to say “Tropic Thunder.” I correctly said “Tropic” but for some reason, my stupid brain told me that it’s supposed to be “Topic.” So I said “Topic Thunder.” Everyone in the room (my siblings) laughed. And then I realized how stupid I was for even thinking that what I really wanted to say was “TOPIC THUNDER.” GRRR.
A while ago, I was formulating a question in my head. “How has it changed…” and then I was like, “wait, is it change or changed?” For some reason, both sounded correct to me. See how stupid I am?
GOD. I feel like my brain is deteriorating. I used to have this very strong memory power but all that has dwindled. I used to remember the COMPLETE NAMES (middle name included) of not only my friends but people I meet. Now, I easily forget people’s names. I have to ask their names several times before I remember…and what’s worse, I don’t remember names permanently. It’s so unlike before. UGH, I hate myself.
WHAT’S HAPPENING TO ME? Could it be Alzheimer’s, eating my brain cells slowly but surely? OH NO! (The disease runs in my Mom’s family.) I DON’T WANT TO LOSE MY BRAIN! MY MEMORIES! I DON’T WANT TO LOSE ANY PART OF ME!!! =(
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Sidenote:
I sort of knew this before but I never recognized it: MY HAPPY MOOD GETS EASILY “DESTROYED”, EVEN BY THE SMALLEST AND MOST TRIVIAL OF THINGS. Weird.
Grieving…
Oh God, I still can’t believe Benjamin’s gone. =( I’ve been extremely sad about losing him since yesterday. I cried my eyes out when it sank in me that he will never be back again…
I’ll write a post about him after my grieving.
I feel so hallow. My days won’t be the same anymore. I miss him so much. *shoot, I feel like crying again*
The Little Prince Has Gone Away…
Benjamin, please, please come back home. We terribly miss you. =,(
Love,
Mama Nessie, Mama Nellie and Mama Chicken
Between the lines.
You’ve never tried to learn to LISTEN to the things that I’m NOT saying.
They’re right.
My parents, that is.
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May we find what is rightful for all of us. Ameen.
The World in Silence.
I’m often at the library of the Office of the Solicitor General, doing legal research. In one of my visits there, I needed to photocopy a book. The guy who assisted me, who is a staff of the library, happens to be deaf-mute.
Every time the librarian needs him to do something, she would instruct him through hand signals and mouth to him the words.
One time, I had to photocopy a case. The librarian told me to let him do it. I pointed to him the pages which I needed and at the same time spoke to him. One of the workers there, a very mean lady with a terrible facial hair problem, went to where we were and told me, “Pipi at bingi yan!” (”He’s deaf-mute!”) She grabbed the book from me and pointed to him, even shouted in his ear. It was as if she wanted to show everybody how disabled he is. I felt sorry and took it from her. “It’s OK, I can handles this.”
Every time I see that guy, I always give him a smile. He may not hear me greet him or say hello…but at least, I could show him, in my own little way, that there are people out there who don’t look down upon him because of his disability but RESPECT HIM because of his COURAGE, DETERMINATION and WILLINGNESS to OVERCOME it.
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Sidenote
What is it like not to be able to hear…the beautiful sounds of the world? Your lover’s voice? A beautiful song? Happy children’s laughter? Or the simple humming of an electric fan?
Witnessing things like this always makes me grateful for what I’ve got even if life can be sometimes hard. Shukran, ya Allah, for everything.
Love the magic that Marie Digby creates!
OMG, Marie Digby did this wonderful, awesome version of Love, Sex and Magic by Ciara and JT. I really do hope she does a full version of this song. It’s WAY, WAY, WAY better than the original version! By the way, she is the first one to do an acoustic version of “Umbrella.” GO MARIE! =)
