behind the examination light

I've been under the weather for nine days now. My doctor said I have bacterial infection of my sinuses. One of my meds is a downer. I hate taking it because I end up sleeping almost the entire day. And if I try to fight it off, I become lethargic. When I'm a bit awake, I catch up on my sms, which average about a dozen everytime I open my inbox. And how many of those do I send a reply? Barely one.

I went back to work last Friday, against the advise of my doctor, of course. I had to. Why? One, details are unnecessary for a workaholic. Two, I missed the office. Three, the office missed me too long. And lastly, a big change is happening soon that I really needed to show up.

I'll be overhauling my responsibilities at work two weeks from now. We have a new major client from Florida. I'm simply wrapping up my commitments with our LA-based client.

This also means that I'm relocating to Cubao very soon.

I still don't have a place to stay in the area. So, in the meantime, I'll be driving from south to north and back until either I get tired of bonding with my driver, Mang Leo, or everything falls into place.

* * *

Karl just took the UPCAT yesterday.

Shoot.

I'm terrified. I want him to pass it.

He has to pass it.

It's been a tradition in my clan that everybody passes the UPCAT. And I mean, everybody.

Karl is the unang apo. He represents the next generation.

He must be more terrified than I am we are. I know I was during my time.

* * *

kids should know that...

The UPCAT (pronounced "oop-cat") is considered to be one of the most competitive college entrance exams in the country. The five hour exam covers language proficiency, reading comprehension, mathematics, and science. UPCAT questions can be in English or Filipino. The UPCAT is usually held on a Saturday and Sunday in early August with two batches of examinations per day in the morning and in the afternoon. Close to 30,000 applicants take the UPCAT in UP Diliman alone. Because of this, and that the campus is open and connected to major public roads, heavy traffic is expected at this time of year. Food stalls and other tiangges set up shop everywhere around the Diliman campus, especially the Academic Oval, to take advantage of the numerous parents and guardians that accompany and wait for the applicants taking the test. (wikipedia)