Jars of Experience

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Originally uploaded by dzaymee.

March 2, 2005 (Wednesday)

4:30 am
I woke up from a deep slumber. I am holding my Neuronatomy handout and my short-term memory worked instantly...ah, I was reviewing for this day's practical exam. I suddenly feel the chill of morning breeze against my skin. I can't believe I' sleeping through this. It is important that I get a good score for this practical exam since I got a really low grade on my Neuroana long quiz (That was one of the instances when you study hard for a subject and unfortunately, the items that come out on the exam aren't most of what you know). If I don't redeem myself today, I would have to work extra harder for my shifting exam. *sigh* I have to meet Charry and Myl at 8:30 this morning to talk about the Biochem presentation.

Phew! Jars of Clay is in town. And I'm watching them play tonight! Neuroana pracs...JARS OF CLAY...Meeting with Charry and Myl...JARS OF CLAY...Bioethics class...JARS OF CLAY...JARS OF CLAY...JARS OF CLAY...zzz...zzz...zzz...

8:45 am
I texted Charry and Myl to inform them that I can't come to the meeting, which I myself called for. Myl requested that we postpone as well. Somehow, I'm feeling guilty that Charry might have been waiting for the two of us to come. But on second thought, mabuti na rin yon para hindi sya late today. Hehe!

9:15 am
I am late for my Bioethics class. Father Manlangit (I've never addressed him that way, though) has already started his lecture on the Principle of Justice. For some reasons, whenever I attend his lectures, I feel every inch like a doctor already. Maybe because he doesn't deal with some academic stuff and listening to him doesn't feel like I'm some highschool kid staring at her teacher discuss this and that.

10:00 am
I turn to Charry and ask her what time will this class be over. My brain is probably hypoxic most of the time--especially when I fail to eat my breakfast, like today. I feel a lot of my acids are getting a little grumpier each minute that passes. And I could hardly concentrate at the lecture.

At some instances, Arnie distracts my attention by pertaining to some unethical stuffs to me--like abortion. Father Manlangit is now talking about abortion. He says he needs to finish everything in our syllabus since the next two weeks will be hell. (I'm talking about shifting exams week and finals week.)

"Siguro yan yung inisip mo nung nagpa-abort ka 'no?!" I could see he had some hesitations when he asked me that. I didn't mind. I am not at all defensive. Because I know in my mind that I will never commit such a crime. I am so into having a baby that even if the father of that baby abandons us, I don't mind keeping the baby. Every creature that God breathes on has a well-planned future. It is not an accident. God has purposed things to bring, in the end, greater glory unto His name. I just smiled back at Arnie. I could get back at him and kick his a*s anytime I wish. Hehe, joke lang!

11:00 am
Ah! Lunch time, finally.

11:55 am
I asked Charry to teach me Neuroana. We got ourselves coffee from the vendo and started reviewing our notes. Ah...coffee. My only consolation in med school.

2:00 pm
I am feeling a little grumpy. Why in the world did they change the division of the class?! In my hope to come home early to prepare for tonight's Jars of clay concert, I will be second to the last among the first row of students to take the pracs. And my goodness, we have to hold the brain specimens with our bare hands! How come nobody told us to bring surgical gloves?!

3:20 pm
I finally walk out of the Neuroana laboratory. All the people outside the room are naturally talking about the items that came out. I could care less, I looked around to look for my groupmates for tomorrow's Biochem presentation. I am feeling a little pressured. We have a gargantuan preparation to do. And I wasn't aware that it's actually a CONTEST--the best among the rest, among the rest, which is the best! As Jed would put it.

5:00 pm
I excused myself from the video editing team and rushed my way home. My dad is sure furious about me not coming home at expected time.

5:45 pm
I ran up my room to change clothes as soon as I got home. Good thing, I have prepared my clothes more than a month ago. I have folded them neatly and set them aside in my closet. That is how excited I am for this concert. When I went down to put on my shoes, my Lola started blabbing on me. She hated that I sleep late and that I was complaining of a blurry vision during the weekend. She probably thinks I'm still in high school. And let me just confirm that I am in medical school.

6:45 pm
Dad and I looked for a place to eat at Gateway. We bumped at Alex Compton (Magandang Umaga!) and it was too late when we recognized it was him. I finished my plate in a swift. Everything around me seems to be going fast forward. My excitement is building up in every heart beat. I could die after the concert tonight!

7:25 pm
Araneta Coliseum. People, mostly youth, wait outside the walkways as the band does some balancing. I asked the usher if I could come in and watch. He actually allowed me to do so. Hehe, utu-uto! All the others followed when I got in. Barbie's Cradle was at the stage. Hooyah! Kakoi's in the house!

8:00 pm
Phew, nice seats we got! Only I've got a sucky phonecam with no zoom in feature. I busied myself reading the Fish magazine which were on the seats. For sure, there are people watching the show who are only after Jars' music. The printed materials, in a way, speak of Jars' substance: 4:7 "...from God, and not from us".

8:15 pm
I can tell my Dad is getting a little bored. He doesn't like waiting. I went out and got him some BTIC dark choco almonds. On my way back to the coliseum, some familiar face stared at me with eyes wide opened.

"Jamie?!"
"Ate Anne!" Ate Anne is an old friend from highschool. We were both surprised to see each other after so many years. She introduced me to her husband and then we parted.

8:35 pm
The show is just about to start. Bo Sanchez (is he the organizer?), after introducing Jars of Clay to the crowd (as if this Grammy-winning band were unknown...well, at least for those who are present in the venue) called Pam G to sing the national anthem. Ate Pam, back in highschool. She's the astigin skinhead girl who sings as front act for Gary V. Mrs.SyCip would be proud to hear about her.

8:45 pm
Barbie's Cradle starts singing the Nescafe ad. Go Kakoi!! My Dad thinks Barbie is pretty and that she is talented. What about Kakoi, Dad?

9:30 pm
Finally, Jars of Clay!!! Woohoo!!! Dan Haseltine came out in plain green shirt, the very same color as the jacket that I'm wearing. Hehe! I couldn't contain my bliss. I am hypertensive, hyperventilated, tachycardiac and tachypnic! *lol* I closed my eyes and sang along with every song. I didn't miss clapping my hands or howling at the end of each song. And of course, I kept capturing each precious moment as much as I can with my cell phone. (My phone, unfortunately, doesn't capture too much! Heehee!) Most of the songs that the band played were from the first album, so far, the most familiar songs for me. I was hoping that they would play my favorite, "Worlds Apart". They did. And they even gave some trivia about the song--that it conveys the mercy of God and that it was the longest song they have ever written (6 months). No wonder it is my all-time favorite...because so much effort has been put into it. Dan sang the songs almost just as he sang them in the Furthermore Live CD, so I expected he would sing the "hallelujah" part in "Worlds Apart". He didn't. But nonetheless, it was still a very beautiful rendition. And Mr.Haseltine never failed to amuse me with his God-given talents in singing and songwriting (most especially), as well as his throbbing passion for God. I watch him express each word in every song and the whole event actually feels like a big worship concert already. I love how everybody sounded. (My Dad and I appreciate even Steve's constant back-up wailing!) Dan's voice is even better in live performance.

In the middle of the concert, Dan asked some guy from the audience to sing "Unforgetful You". He pretended to have forgotten the lyrics and asked him, with his girlfriend, to sing the song up the stage. It was a sucky performance but everybody actually had so much fun singing along with them! At the end of the song, the guy proposed marriage to his girl. What a way to do it! I'D ALSO WISH TO ACCEPT A WEDDING PROPOSAL AT A JARS OF CLAY CONCERT! Wow ha, big time! It is not the idea of proposing before a huge crowd that enthuses me, but the very thought of doing it at my favorite band's concert overwhelms me! Wow talaga.

I lost count already but I am sure that they played more than 15 songs. Some of which are not my big favorites. But heck, I just close my eyes and savor each moment...after all, Dan Haseltine is singing live. And it's worth more than a million just to listen to my most favorite lead singer in the whole world! Sobrang sulit. And I wouldn't mind depriving myself of a luxurious lunch or even starving myself to death just to save up for another ticket if ever they play again next month! Kahit pa may exam kinabukasan, queber! Even if it would mean studying my handouts while waiting in line or even flunking the test! Hehe. I could be a Jars of Clay groupie already!

"Tea and Sympathy" was the band's goodbye song. It was a sad but very memorable ending. Everybody had their phones up while singing. *sigh* Jars, when are you ever come again to our shores??

10:45 pm
I gave my Dad a coffee treat after the concert. We concluded that we had so much great time tonight. I swear, this day will always bring the fondest memories in my whole lifetime! What can I say? I SO LOVE JARS OF CLAY!