08:37PM Recovery
After three weeks of restless waiting, I finally was able to play tennis again today. I had to wear a brace to support my ankle, but aside from that little detail, it was like nothing had ever happened.

However, being out of practice for three weeks and not being able even to work out (cardio) left me in pretty bad shape. I bet I'll be sore tomorrow.

I am just really happy that my exile from the courts is over. Now, if only I didn't have such a sucky serve...

08:59PM Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed and underappreciated.

05:31PM English as a Second Language

English Genius: You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 83% Expert!
You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

I got this result after taking the Commonly Confused Words Test. I'm glad to find out that watching Sesame Street and getting fined for speaking in Filipino in school have honed my English skills so well. Ü

Unfortunately, I think there's a sea change in what the dominant language for business will be in the next few years. Mandarin, anyone?

10:10PM Deserving Credit
In all my life I have never believed I've made anything worth anything. But that was before tonight, when I discovered something I had worked so hard on had just been copied verbatim.

This is the transcript I wrote. This is the transcript that appeared elsewhere without my knowledge. Please note the date stamp. I posted mine two days earlier.

EDIT: I chatted with Pau a few minutes ago, and he did bring up the fact that a transcript of something from TV isn't exactly private property. I would agree, and I'd be happy that my transcript made it onto other websites. I just can't stand someone else getting the credit for something I worked hard to complete.

UPDATE (03/13/05): Well, it's been cleared up. It was a misunderstanding, since someone posted the transcript on another forum and the archiver assumed it was the other poster's work. I'm getting credited for it. Ü

11:04AM Misstep
When playing tennis, one is told to step into the ball. However, it is always a good idea not to step on the ball.

I learned this the hard way last Wednesday. I had come back from Baguio the previous weekend having played some amazing tennis on a beautiful mountainside court. I was in a good mood and was thinking, "Man, I'm getting good at this!"

Pride goeth before the fall--literally. That fateful Wednesday, I played Don on these courts. Now, Don has a very fast forehand shot, so I got more and more frustrated trying to get his shots back over the net. I was getting down on myself and decided to approach the net, since on previous occasions I had had some success whupping Don from there. I got passed twice, but the next time I approached, I hit a solid forehand volley, then a backhand volley. In my mind I was already celebrating as I was about to put the ball away with my third volley. But I had neglected one thing.

We had hired a ball boy for our hitting session, but he had to hold on to more than three balls. Now, some ball boys are diligent about keeping balls off the court; this one was not. As I stepped sideways to reach for my last volley, the ball boy shouted a warning. Too late: I was already putting my weight on a ball.

It seemed to happen both quickly and slowly. I felt my ankle turning one way, then the other. I lost my balance and crashed down on my right knee, scraping it on the gnarly hard courts. The first thing I thought was, "Damn it I think I broke it!" because I had felt the ankle crunch. The second thing I thought was, "Damn it now I can't play!" and that's when I got really angry.

Angry at the ball boy, yes, but more angry at myself. If I hadn't been so focused on trying to "win" (which was impossible because we weren't even keeping score), I would have enjoyed myself a little bit more on court.

I didn't really break my ankle; I just twisted it. What was really broken about me was my attitude about playing a simple sport. And now I can't play for three weeks. Serves me right.

10:40PM Birthday Shout-Out
Happy Birthday dear little sister, Happy Birthday to you!

You're twenty now...

04:09PM We Need a Resolution
Something in my personal life just clicked. It's something that's been bothering me since March of last year when I found out about it. This week, though, I just got the resolution I needed.

I'll leave it at that. But it's amazing how resilient human beings can be, given the time to heal.

09:56PM Tears for Fears
My paternal grandfather is currently in the ICU after having a mild heart attack last night.

I always considered my grandfather a kind of superman. He's a retired colonel, Death March survivor, father and provider to five children including his eldest son (my father). He's an expert tinker, golfer, jack of all trades. He went into the hospital around two years ago because of attacks of dizziness, and he hasn't left since then. He has been bedridden for the most part of that time, but he was otherwise healthy.

But now, he's just a shadow of his former self. He can't even talk to us because he's got a tube through his throat to help him breathe. I visited him today and couldn't help crying.

I just don't want him to go yet, but I'm afraid he will, soon. Funny how we take things or people for granted until something threatens to take them away. Please pray for his recovery and return to health.
07:06PM Hang on everyone. I'm bogged down by a few requirements for my thesis, so I can't really update right now. I'll be back this Sunday.