Jamie Ortega
 
At about 5PM yesterday, my visa was released. My parents sent it to my sister's colleague who had to leave for her flight at 6PM. I'm picking up my visa in an hour. :)

Last night was so stressful. We were waiting for my visa the whole day. I did not find my affidavit of support. Luckily we have a contact to an attorney in OWWA. I called her just now and she said all I need is my visa. Not having the affidavit wouldn't be a problem.

Last two hurdles for today are my finals for my Cost Control class and then waiting to see if I'll be able to get on the flight tonight. May the odds be ever in my favor. So help me, 
 
In 4 hours I find out if I get to go to Bahrain tomorrow or not. 
I really need to go there. 
I need to be present for what I hope is the denouement to this crazy story. 
I could really use your prayers, whatever your religion, whoever your god/gods.
Que sera, sera. 
 
So last week I watched Expendables 2 with the boyfriend and ofcourse I loved it! (like every action movie I watch) I love action movies. I think they are the best movies to watch on the big screen and this is what I love watching on movie dates.

I always watched movies and TV shows of this genre with my dad when I was little. So at some point I was pretty certain I wanted to be an assassin when I grew up. 

At a time Asian-influenced action films were really popular. I watched So Close, Naked Weapon, Ballistic, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Kill Bill and many other action movies with women leads. I just realized most of these movies are probably R-18 and I probably watched them when I was about eleven or twelve. 

Anyway here are some of the female Asian action film characters I loved so much.

 
 

My traffic feed now shows me which entries people are reading. I can now keep track.

Thank you guys. 

 
Have you ever completely blocked out memories only for them to return eight years after? Hasn't gotten better. After all, I am the middle child(problem child). This is the year of realizations. I feel like a pre-teen all over again. I have no eloquent way to say this sucks.
 
I've been avoiding going on weebly for quite some time now. My reason is honest - I simply had no time. School has been eating up my time and what little time I have left I devote to Agot, pole class, and sleep. There must have been time to write, but there really was no time to assess happenings, emotions and grammar to combine in entries. 

Now I do have time. Classes have been suspended since yesterday and will continue to be suspended 'til tomorrow. Tomorrow will be our seventh suspension. So yes, now I do have time during this difficult time. It's been flooded in the Philippines since the night of the sixth for those who are unaware. I won't even bother posting pictures. I've been stuck in my dorm for two days because the streets are flooded. The weather has been making me so miserable. Seeing pictures of the floods and all the people who were massively affected is just heartbreaking. And I just feel so bad that I can't do much to help anyone right now. I just tried to do my part spreading awareness and disseminating messages. I swear to do my part in helping out in any way I can but it'll have to wait 'til this monsoon passes because right now, I'm just stuck here. 

My heart goes out to all the victims and their families. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I'm so proud of the rescue teams who have risked their lives to save others and everyone else who went out of their way to help out.

I won't lecture. We all know that we have monsoons and typhoons every year. That is not new. We definitely could have done something about it.

I just hope and pray for a better tomorrow. Hopefully we get to see the sun up tomorrow. We're gonna get back up.


 
It's not always easy. It takes a lot of work. But nothing is as rewarding. It is worth everything.
 
We saw this being sold at a stall in Manila Ocean Park. Err.. No description necessary. It is what it is. And no, I didn't try it. I don't even eat isaw or balot, so yea. 
 
I started going to pole twice a week for summer and I feel like that's not enough already! I have fallen in love with the vertical dance. It's amazing to be in such peace with myself during class. I love the feeling of being able to do something you worked hard for. I'm actually getting muscle-y arms and thighs but that's okay, that just means I'm getting stronger. And I love our school. I love our teachers and I love their story. Pole has been very therapeutic for me. 

Anyway, these are the new tricks I've learned so far. These pictures aren't mine. I haven't had the chance to take any shots of my tricks because I go to class alone and I'm shy to ask anyone to take my photos :)) Even if I did, I wouldn't know if I'd post them online though.

FRONT CUPID - I learned to do this December I think then I had a one month break from pole

CROSS KNEE - I'm really proud of learning this! It's the first upside-down pose! :) Idk what the variation is called but you bend the outer leg and reach that foot with your other hand. I can do that as well but I still have trouble getting up sometimes, having no hands gripping the pole. It's really a core exercise. It's like sit-ups on the pole :))

PLANK - Last week, Teacher CD finally let me do the plank which is harder than it looks. You start with a dream girl, lower your right hand grip, let go of the pole with your left hand and bring it below you then arch your back and throw your head back. Here the strain is really on your thighs.

When I get stronger I can remove my top hand. Hopefully I can do this in one or two more sessions because my teacher says maybe in 2 weeks, I can do the Cross Ankle which is the last photo in this post. :) I'm really really excited about that because that's one of the last tricks for our level. I cannot wait to "level up".

In other news:
  • I've gone to the beach and I've (kinda) gotten a tan.
  • I learned Busta Rhymes's rap in Look At Me Now.
  • I watched SuperBad! Who doesn't love McLovin??
  • My mom and brother leave for Bahrain tomorrow after their 1 month summer vacation here. So I'll be alone again but then I'm gonna go visit them in August.
  • I went to see my first fountain musical in Manila Ocean Park
  • I went to the dentist today and I might get braces in a few months. And I actually want to get braces.

Jamie Ortega