My favorite songs lately...

Time started: 5:18 p.m.
Where: In the study table.
Now Playing: "A Sky Full of Stars" by Coldplay.

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It's been years since I blogged about my favorite songs, and I regularly updated it back 2011-12 and now it's nice to bring back the old days and share the stuff I've been listening to for the past week because I am just a music junkie myself, listening to alternative/indie records.

Well, I first heard of Tahiti 80 with their song, "Easy" on my favorite radio station, Jam 88.3, and now, I am now more obsessed with their new single, "Crush!". At first listen, I was so addicted to the tune for 2 whole weeks which is really rare for me. Normally, nagsasawa ako sa isang kanta ng 2-3 days then off to a new song but this is a one of a kind record if you ask me.

Next on the list is Foster the People's "A Beginner's Guide to Destroying the Moon". Well, I listened to the whole "Supermodel" album on Spotify and this is one of the tracks that stood out. I do like their first single in their second album, "Coming of Age" but this track is also a single-worthy track in my opinion. Very vibrant tune. plus the fact that it has great lyrics which I do like the most about Mark Foster the rest of Foster the People.

Next is Kasabian's "eez-eh". Though I am disappointed with lack of creativeness creating their latest record "48:13", there's still the catchy-witty feeling that Kasabian has and only "eez-eh" is the song that can define to their style of music.

Next is "Mind Over Matter" by Young the Giant. This record reminds me of listening to the old Incubus tracks I've heard with those emotional lyrics carrying along with the emotional vocals. It is somehow nostalgic and reminds me of "those" times. Literally, mind over matter.

Lastly, it's Coldplay's latest single "A Sky Full of Stars". At first, this track didn't grow on me because I was still adjusting on the "new" Coldplay, embracing the electronica world like what Radiohead and other pure alternative bands did in the previous years. I heard that Avicii helped in producing this recording which made me answer my speculations about this tune. The music world somehow evolve with country stars turned pop stars and indie pop acts turned mainstream. Now, I do appreciate their new record, not used to it at first because the real Coldplay grew on me.

Time ended: 5:40 p.m.

#worldcup fever!

As I write this blog, it's just 7 hours away 'till the start of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. I just simply can't wait for the #worldcup to start. Last World Cup in South Africa in 2010, few Filipinos are anticipating the most watched and the biggest sporting event in the world but this time, with football part of the sporting disciplines Filipinos are into today because of the Azkals putting football back in the Philippines in their historic semifinals finish in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, I expect more football fans to watch this momentous event. Plus, more people will be aware of the World Cup, with an estimated viewers of 2 billion all over the world, 10 times bigger than the SuperBowl and beating the Olympics. Football is really the sport of the world. A sport that is more than a sport, a religion. That's why I love football so much. The passion, the intensity, the atmosphere of the stadium, the drama, and the euphoria for goals, goals and more GOALS!

The only one trophy the world going nuts for, the FIFA World Cup trophy.

Before the tournament kicks off 9 hours from time (around 4:00 am, Manila time), I have predicted every bracket in the FIFA World Cup in the EA Sports Interactive Bracket and here's my prediction. I am torn between four teams, Brazil, Argentina, Germany and Spain but I made my decision that Germany might win their 4th World Cup title.

I predicted Germany to win their 4th World Cup title.

But I decided that because of their capability, line-up and experience but actually, I am rooting for both England and Japan. A little bit of Brazil because I root for them last World Cup so my heart still have Brazil in it plus the fact that they are the host this year and count those stars in their crest, five of them. They won five FIFA World Cups and they can possibly add a sixth star. I root for Japan because I love their style of play, short passing, tiki-taka. Under Zaccheroni-kantokun, they are one of the dark horses in the World Cup plus the fact that I know the players and how they play, I actually follow this national team like England and the fact that my Japanese influence is still there like watching anime and reading manga and listening to Japanese music. I support England because I am a huge fan of English football, following the Barclays Premier League for years and although that England's national team, The Three Lions, is a huge disappointment for years in every World Cup and EUROs, because of the pressure and expectations from their compatriots back home in England because of their star-studded line-up, I believe that they can still prove that they can be one of the best!

Well, I am just stoked and excited to watch the 2014 FIFA World Cup now and may the best team win! Enjoy life! Enjoy football! Enjoy 31 days of the FIFA World Cup! Ciao!

Here's some music from the Official World Cup album by Shakira. She's back with a new sports anthem!

Vacation in Covelandia

Time: 11:43 a.m.
Where: In the living room.
Now Playing: "Coastline" by Wunder Wunder.

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After five years, we went back to Covelandia du Labrador, Hotel and Resort in Labrador, Pangasinan. We never forgot the first time we got there and now, this time, it's more memorable. We brought my uncle's family from my mother's side in the vacation. We did have much fun than before because my father wasn't there in the first time but he experienced the fun the second time around and indeed it was fun when you're complete. I even met my classmate/friend from college. We went to the Hundred Islands and it was really an adventure before finding an island to stay in. We cap off the vacation by experiencing the sea near Covelandia. It was really a fun experience.











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Time: 1:38 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "My Shadow" by Keane.

World Cup qualifiers: OVER. Less than a year away! IT'S THE WORLD CUP!

Time: 6:37 p.m.
Where: Study table.
Now Playing: "Life Magazine" by Cold Cave.

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After 2 years of hard fought battle, the qualifiers are OVER! Here are the 32 teams qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil!

First of all! I just simply cannot wait for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It's that time again where the world focuses on one event, and one event only. It unites different cultures, in different countries of different races. Of course we know that. I just hope that the Philippines will get into the World Cup fever yet again.

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My picks in every confederation to be tough contenders:

AFC: Japan - Well, they are the best in Asia. I love their style of play. The Italian flare Alberto Zaccheroni brought to these lads will still be a factor to be a tough contender in the World Cup.

UEFA: Spain/Germany - I can't count out Spain yet because they are the defending champions and never in the history of the World Cup that a nation successful defends a World Cup so there's a chance of that and that's where Germany might do that. I love to support England as well but I don't know if they will continue to be the biggest disappointment team. I just hope not.

CAF: Ghana - Well, the Black Stars have been on a roll yet I don't know if they can match or jump even further on their previous quarterfinal appearance. Their mindset is to bounce back from that horrendous match against Uruguay.

CONMEBOL: Brazil - Of course the host have something to prove about and with more youngsters to bolster their line-up with Neymar alongside the Selecao, they might be the team to beat this World Cup.

CONCACAF: United States - I have a gutsy feeling that the Yanks will be more competitive in this World Cup with Kilnsmann around and the fact that they have a great record in the qualifiers but still in doubt if they can be in the group of elites.

Can't wait for the World Cup! Just less than a year away!

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Time: 7:17 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "400 Lux" by Lorde.

Nasa 'huli' ang pagsisisi: "It's my fault!"

Time: 9:49 p.m.
Where: In the dark room.
Now Playing: "Pretty Loser" by Sheila & the Insects.

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This is the day I felt left out from the rest and while everyone is making status on their Facebook or tweeting about them passing, I am so envious to them that I never had the same feeling they have right now. The feeling of success. I never felt that this semester. I was always depressed in every result but then, I had the feeling of coming back but that never happened. All I do was to keep cheering myself but I am NOT really have the sense of initiative to do it which was frustrating.

I am not expecting to pass the subjects that I may possibly in danger to fail but with this, I just hope I can learn with this and move on and focus on graduating. One of my profs somehow inspired me because he told us he was "FOREVER IRREGULAR" and eventually graduated and became a licensed Engineer. I wanted for that to happen.

I just wanted to be strong and not be affected with this but it's natural to be like 'suicidal' when you felt it the first time but not trying to be like one. I remembered what my prof said that "Grades are just numbers, just enjoy learning and grades will follow." From now on, I'll keep that in mind. :(

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Time: 10:22 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: Same song.

Here's to learn a valuable lesson.

Time: 4:53 p.m.
Where: In our bedroom.
Now Playing: "Here's Where the Story Ends" by The Sundays.

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Well, the previous semester was a disaster for me because I always felt that I am 'always' left behind and the fact that stress was always there. That's why there are times that my body can't respond to the thing I need to do. My brain says 'do it', but my body can't. That's always the case.

But with my performance this previous semester still pending, I just hope for the best and pass all of my subjects and remain as a block student. With this, I will dodge a huge bullet again and hopefully, collect myself and learn from this and become serious next semester. I got careless twice, but hopefully, not three times the charm.

Yes, the semester maybe over but I am not enjoying at the moment!

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Time: 5:01 p.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: "Trying to be Cool" by Phoenix.

"It's not how you START, it's how you FINISH."

Time: 5:08 a.m.
Where: Living room.
Now Playing: "(Everything is) Debatable" by Hellogoodbye.

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Frustrating. Full of regrets. Annoying. A setback. Whatever you may call it, it turns out to be "that". I didn't give it my all. I should've somehow show some character out there. Make it as a part of me but then I realized, that this is a real deal. That I should regain my old studious self back.

Well, I said a month ago that I won't give up and still I have those words in me. I just have to compose myself again and everything will be alright. I screwed up once, I messed up twice but it will not be three times the let up. I will bounce back and continue it in my life. Hopefully, this mouth is not used for talking, but for making a statement out of it and show that I still got it.

Remember,

"It's not how you START, it's how you FINISH."

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Time: 5:14 a.m.
Where: Still here.
Now Playing: none