I Rule My World!

He’s really tall—with a snobbish look on his face, especially with those thick glasses on. He stutters utterly, and smelled like he hasn’t taken a bath for three weeks in a row. I notice him carrying that green tote bag filled to the top with most of his belongings– a jacket, a blanket, a toothbrush, and who knows what else? This guy comes to the music library every Wednesday evening. I know because I work on that shift. Apparently, this weekly visit has been going on for some time, way before I decided I could work on night shifts. He tries to come in very discreetly tho, but with the library being cozy and all, his signature smell cannot be as subtle as his actions were . And so, we would always know if he is around.

I reprimanded him gently, several Wednesdays ago, when he tried reshelving the books he was browsing at. And true to his obedience (or defiance) he would look at every book he can get his hands on and stack them high on the reshelf cart. He has a particular affinity for Listz’s complete piano works, and would painstakingly photocopy several pages every Wednesday night. What he does with them, I don’t know. I would like to think he’s one of those creepy guys with hidden musical talents. I sure hope I’m right.

He rarely speaks. His usual routine would be to get the blue Liszt books, look through them, and head to the copy machine to photocopy valiantly from 7:30pm to 9pm, nonstop. I assure you, if he ever works for one of those photocopy centers in the Philippines (especially in UP Diliman!), he’ll be a rich man.

Anyway, this week’s Wednesday posed a slight change in his routine. The machine was not cooperative (or so he claimed), thus producing multiple copies of that single page  on "STEPS to FIX A LEAKING PIPE". The panic on his face was obvious, he starts to stutter, and points to the machine in manic frenzy.

I have to admit, I was almost at the point of panicking myself. I know I could just push the OFF button, and get it over with, but my feet was frozen to the floor. Don’t get near this man, I silently screamed. Yet I knew we’ll all run out of paper if I let my fear get ahead of me.

I drew a deep breath, made my way to the poor little copy machine and simply turned it off. I even had the guts to smile and comfort him, "There, that was not so hard was it? No need to worry!" I went back to my desk, and tried very hard not to notice his irritated way of shuffling through the wasted pile of papers.

"Bbbbut I cccaantttt pppay for all these! It was your machine’s fffffault!"

"Here’s the deal, give me the papers, and you don’t have to pay a single cent for them. Is that alright with you?", I bargained.

"I ggggguess so. But I still wwwwwant to photoccccccopy."

"Then we’ll simply turn the machine on."

He seemed to find that fair and went back to his beloved Liszt books.

And we lived peaceably for the next half hour…

…when he panics again. Thankfully, it was time for the library to close, and he had no choice but to stack the books on the cart. I sighed. I could re-shelf those books even with my eyes closed.

Bruce walks in the library the minute I got everything settled for the day. "Hey, do you know *Golda? She commited suicide last night in her boyfriend’s house."

I looked at him in disbelief. I don’t know Golda, but it wasn’t exactly the kind of fresh news you receive in the morning…
————————
Tyler, the student janitor has been sick for quite a few days already. I notice. That’s because…

Click Tyler and Golda for more

The campus DJ complains about the calls he’s getting at his shift
every morning. One particular ‘mean’ comment even referred to him as "a
disgrace of the university."

"How am I supposed to know all
those French, German, Spanish, and who-know-what-else words?!" he rants
as I spooned a morsel of macaroni floating with abandon on my soup bowl.

Hell, I don’t know. I wanted to answer. Isn’t that what you’re paid for? I kept my…

Click Cecille Li-cade for more…

"Isn’t it cool? We are in the same class so we can compare grades?"

"Why do you know Martha Argerich? Aren’t you organ major? Wow, don’t tell me you know Kissin?"

"You can’t swim?!? Aren’t you from the islands or something?"

"I think I need to cheat for this test, Irene."

"I’m so glad I walked with you."

"I think she hates me, and I think he hates you!"

"I’m not going to admit I’m the favorite."

"You have to be suspicious of kind people. That’s why people are better in San Francisco. They may be snobs, but at least you know they hate you."

"Doukhan has to get well!!!!"

And just today: "I won a thousand dollars!"

Denny Hong:
Freshman, Piano Performance Major
Ex-worker at Music Materials Center
Owns a hundred or so DVDS he doesn’t watch
Strictly Obsessive-Compulsive
Chinese trying hard to imitate Filipino accent
Study Partner in Hymnology
Kasing sweet ni VP (aruy!)
Lunch and Dinner Buddy at the caf
Hogs the Choir Room piano to himself
2008 Winner of the AU International Music Contest, as of today.

News Advisory from Andrews University Relations:

A 23-year-old male student at
Andrews University is currently under investigation by the Berrien
Springs-Oronoko Township Police Department for allegedly making threatening
comments regarding the university. He has been questioned by the BS-OT Police
and has been cooperative. In the wake of national school tragedies, the safety
of students, faculty and staff is of primary concern. Therefore, the student
has been temporarily banned from campus and the University is fully cooperating
with the authorities pending further investigation. Further information will be
provided as it becomes available.

Uh-oh.

…still can’t get over ‘Becoming Jane’, that my weekly trip to the James White Library caused me to borrow three Austen movies (Emma, Manfield Park, and a poor adaptation of Pride and Prejudice entitled Bride and Prejudice–the latter being NOT highly recommended). And as if that wasn’t enough, I also borrowed the P & P book, which I won’t be reading anyway in this present condition where textbooks has become my daily bread.
Anyhow, seeing it on the shelf gives me a sense of comfort and assurance that I have something else on that shelf aside from the blasted textbooks which cost me a fortune!

There she goes, standing proudly between Introduction to Research in Music and The Story of Christian Music. I wonder if she’s more thankful she’s in someone’s personal shelf or out there in the big great shelves beside the other untouched classics.

And as if I don’t have problems of my own, Dr. Logan adds another book to read on my growing list. It’s well written though—and some of it works for me. I wonder why Newman didn’t include a chapter on the pianist’s love life…for that definitely poses a problem (or a solution!)

My hands have been soaked to millions of books this week (an exaggeration, of course), due to the confusing assignment on the Bibliography and Research, cataloguing the new arrivals in the Music Materials Center, and the book sale by the LES (Library and Educational Services) a 15-minute drive away from the campus.But when they sell it for a dollar a book, do you think I would resist the temptation to buy some???

What did you get today? Surely you have to be the rightful owner of at least a flower, chocolate bar, balloon, teddy bear, and who knows what else. Well, I got a slice of egg pie with my name in Japanese characters on it and a Hershey bar. The coughing epidemic from the previous two weeks is simply a thing of the past and we get a mini-version of Halloween where everybody’s giving candy and chocolates in the hallways. I know, i know, it’s a shameless comparison, Halloween and Valentines, but hey, you get my point right?

The weather seems to agree with everybody’s bright spirits, too. Although snow still covers much of the ground, at least, the sun is shining brightly. No overcast, dark clouds blocked the ‘heavenly’ sunshine. Hallelujah!

What is it with today that even the disagreeable Ting, who was as broody and moody as any fowl alligator for the past few days, was heard singing "A Whole New World" in the hallway?

On the other hand, my good friend Suny complained, "I won’t pay 5 dollars just to go to a Valentine Banquet in some hotel and eat. I’d rather watch a movie, relax, and spend nothing!" Amen, amen. She was talking of course about the social banquet for seminarians and graduate students in Palais Royale Hotel. Tickets cost 12 dollars for couples and 5 dollars for singles.  Although we initially planned to go as a group (birds of the same marital status flock together), Suny was less than ecstatic. A movie sounds more promising, indeed. Actually, anything that doesn’t have to cost would be very promising. And that is another reason why I rather work tonight in the library than join the other music majors for a trip down to Notre Dame and watch Denyce Graves’ concert. Why spend when you can earn? In this day and age, one has has to be simply practical.

Although, you might be tickled that I did get a call…it was from the very person I was hiding from! And  that is not very pleasing after all. As fate would have it, I missed the call and not even on purpose. What’s even more pleasant  is that he didn’t leave a voicemail or any message whatsoever—so I’m not obligated to call back. A valid reason why I should be bubbly at this time of year. I’d rather be dateless than spend it with a person I don’t like.

Another thing that brings a spring to my step is the result of my theory placement exam. I passed all parts of the test and according to Dr. Flores "don’t have to take any remediation". Max gave me a hug like any proud teacher.  I know I owe it to him for spending four hours with me going over augmented sixth chords, chromatic harmony, borrowed chords, etc instead of practicing the trumpet.

Then of course, I get to be THE music history teacher for the week.

So when things preoccupy me with a lot of stuff, Valentines is not so bleak after all. It’s one of those days you have the extra reason to smile about because you have great friends, great grades, and great movies.

The master remains sick and I shall remain teaching her class. Third time in a row, people!!! I have never delved this deep into the times of the Middle Ages and what I studied in college is but a figment of my imagination. However, good news is that I’m feeling a hundred times better than last week. No coughs, no colds, no indigestion, no physical pain whatsoever. I’m my healthy old me. Yahooo!

The weekend saw me spending a great deal of time outside my room. First service in PMC–only to find out that Pastor Dwight Nelson wasn’t speaking , then Sabbath School and 2nd service in Fil-Am. Pastor Castelbuono’s sermon was good on the moments I’m awake. Shame on me. I was sleeping all over the place like a helpless old lady. But drooled, I did not. Haha. I should take pride on that, because if you know me very well, I drool even when awake. Well, now you know.

Potluck was great—as usual— and although I didn’t contribute, I made a great compliment to Ate Elsbeth for her kare-kare, and I made sure everyone knew that there’s butter pecan ice cream for dessert.

Amazingly, there was a great attendance in the AY program that afternoon. It certainly conjured up memories of those lazy Saturday afternoons spent in Finster lawn—where many a Bible game have been conjured up by my creative mind. :-))))

Then off to Howards for Wintley Phipps’ spirituals concert. Everything was almost perfect. Almost!! Except for the fact that I saw someone I didn’t want to see, and had to take extra efforts to hide behind people’s backs. Or pretend not to see—as a last resort. Whaaah, I hate doing that, but I had to do it–what a classic excuse for the many shameless acts in this world–and here I am, caught patronizing it.

And then I broke my rule for the week and slept at 3am. Tsk tsk tsk! But if I had to spend it yakking on the phone with great friends then it was worth the "sleepless" night—especially when I still have visions over that youtube flick by the adoboboys. (Grrrrr!!!)

Oooops, I maxed-out my break time…time to hit the books again—and let them hit me back. Harhar.

Three more days to go and it’s Happy Singles Awareness Day once again. Time to party!

Pretty much of my life this week has been spent as a haggard, unprepared teacher, a sleepy, out-of-focus student, not to mention my shameless hacking all over the place (by which I meant a really untamed cough).

Anyhow, my adventures in the classroom as THE teacher was interesting, given that instead of substituting for Tuesday’s class—it meant Thursday as well. Also aside from having the class early in the morning (8am is just way too early for winter), the class consisted of not very passive students.

Denny: (when he saw me standing before them) "You’re teaching us today? That’s going to be so cool! You should’ve told us earlier tho. I wouldn’t have come."
Philip: (every so often when he finds my statements doubtful) "So what exactly did you mean by that???"
Andrew: (when asked what a motet was) "A motet is the new genre that sprung out of the 13th century wherein the discant clausula from a pre-existing chant would be used in the tenor and the upper voices, namely the motetus and the triplum, would comment on the words used at the discant."
David: (to Andrew) "Hey, say that again! A motet (writes) is a genre (writes)…"
Hugo: I would like to add that a motet used two texts, the Latin and the French.
David: (to Hugo) "Hey, say that again! A motet (writes) has two texts (writes)…"
Denny: (to David) "Dude, just read your textbook. You don’t have to write everything."
Juan Carlos: "Why did they need to use Latin when they can speak French?"
Kristi: "Because that was the universal language of the scholars. Everyone was able to understand anybody speaking Latin, that was if you were in the university."
Hugo: "Just like English. When I come here (sic), I speak Spanish and not everyone will understand. But I speak English and everyone can understand me."
Esteban: (on Roman de Fauvel) The six unforgivable sins were flattery, avarice…"   
David: (to Esteban) "Hey say that again…how do you spell avarice by the way?"
Hugo: "What is avarice?"
Juan Carlos: "Greediness."
Denny: "That’s a sin?!"   
Philip: "Avarice is extreme greediness. Yes, it’s a sin."
Paul: (being his usual disagreeable self) "Honestly, I find this discussion convoluting."
   
Juan Carlos: (to Paul, after being too disagreeable) "Why don’t you
just get a doctoral degree so you can
have all your questions answered?"
Ako: Hopefully, I won’t be teaching you guys next week. (hack–hack–hack)   
Anwar: Yo, Irene, you just rock ten times higher!
Ako: Peace, yo. Hehe ;-))