Complexities of a prince\’s life…

What is it like to study chimpanzees? I have visited zoos and other animal habitats but have not really given much thought about observing the animals there. Instead, I always went there as if I was in a park merely enjoying the visit. When I learned about a primate observation project for my Anthropology class, I was a bit excited to tell you quite frankly. Sans the inevitable jokes wherein I kept on bugging my friends that I needed to study them for my primate project (which of course is quite true, my friends are primates but to call them such seem rather peculiar to them and to me as well), I knew I needed to be objective. I had to look deeper to what the chimpanzees at the Los Angeles Zoo are actually doing and to try to devoid myself of judging my observations with respect to what we humans normally do.

For some reason, the chimpanzees were grooming each other most of the time that I was observing them. That made me realize that there should be more to what grooming is all about. Backed by various researches and observations as well as my own experience in observing the chimpanzees, grooming does entails social connotations, reciprocity, and evolution of that behavior. 

Observing the chimpanzees at the LA Zoo has been a learning experience for me. Not only are the chimpanzees there to entertain us but more importantly to educate us. What saddens me is the fact that most of them are in captivity and such experiences Jane Goodall experienced herself would only be apparent in writings and documentaries. I envy how she saw the primate world in the eyes of the chimpanzees freely exploring their habitat. I could only come close to seeing their world in the eyes of a chimpanzee in captivity.

**The chimpanzees were a bit far for me to take some pictures and I was preoccupied with the whole primate observation project. But nonetheless, I took some pictures of some rather interesting animals.. Enjoy!

An elephant.. For some reason I remembered Tony Jaa’s “The Protector”

A chimp’s hand (my Friend Kris lmao!) and a Peacock.

Some afternoon love making. Haha!

Thumb up from moi! Lol! (On a side note, before I took this picture there were 4 kids watching this. I couldn’t help but laugh at their parents’ faces when they realized what was happening.)

Can somebody explain to me why I’m stuck in front of this computer and procrastinating? I have a Humanities paper due tomorrow and will be working from 10-3(which really doesn’t give me enough time to cram). And I don’t think I’m in the mood to really sleep late tonight. *sigh* I finally realized that I complain too much.

On a lighter note, tomorrow I’ll be doing water aerobics at 10 am. Not really sure if I’m up for it because it’s hella freezing tonight. I just wish the sun shines tom. And the coordinator said that there’s a jacuzzi afterwards. Hmm.. Don’t get too excited Rob. It’s work in the first place.

So here I am blogging about work without updating anyone.. Where do I start?

I quit my job three weeks ago. Which is not really one of my proudest moment as a responsible working adult. I decided not to give my two weeks notice. I just did not show up at all. No explanations whatsoever. Even though I was not getting paid that much, even though it’s not really an employment, I think I still should have acted more mature. I was bored with the job, I know I can work somewhere else, there wasn’t any growth in that position, just tons of reasons I could think of but not enough to validate my disappearance. I guess that’s something I’d have to live with for now.

I decided that I wanted to volunteer. And since Braille Institute of America (BIA) is just a block away from LACC why not start there? So I signed up. Tomorrow will be my third day there by the way. Let me just say, I love it there! People are just so nice and warm. I’ve always thought that they would be angry at the world because of their disability but they proved me wrong. I am just at awe with their friendliness. And their creativity, it’s just amazing! Words just won’t suffice. I’ll try to get some picture for y’all.

I know that I’m doing this partly for my college application. I am not going to say that I’m doing this out of the purest intention of helping others and not wanting something in return. I am no saint. But I will tell you this, working there for just two days, I have learned a lot with people who are blind. Probably even more than some of those peers I have spent quite an ample of time already. I entered Braille hoping to touch others, to teach a thing or two. But I guess they are the real teachers, they are the unseen heroes.

I’ve decided to change my blog for the third time because I felt I needed some change. I lied. Sorry Ariel. Honestly, I just felt that my previous blog was too plain. And I got tired of the template. Too shallow? Probably.. But oh well, move along people!

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The crew is seriously set to debut as the 4th installment of Laguna Beach. Not that we are anywhere near that place. A good hour drive perhaps, but that’s not the point. I just feel that with all the dramas within the group, we’d all be a perfect fit for season 4. Haha!

I finally get it. I was just in anthropodenial that I wasn’t able to see the clear picture. Imagine a room filled with just a couple of people and let’s say that the room is large enough. Not much interaction perhaps? But add, let’s say 20 more people and I bet that in an hour or so someone will get into someone else’s nerve. It’s as basic as saying that different personalities create interesting dynamics.

What I’m trying to say is that I should know more. I should be a bigger man by trying to compromise, to try to understand most of my friends. I am not at all saying that I’m a pushover but I would simply not resort to fighting fire with fire. It’s not me. Period. But let me make myself clear. I get to choose my friends. And for some reason if someone has a problem with me and I’ve tried my best to fix things and adjust and still that someone wouldn’t try at least, then I’d give up. Cliche as it may sound, my friends are the only family I get to pick. Of course this is all hypothethical. I don’t have a big problem with anyone right now. Note: big.

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I know I’ve announced before how I’ve almost eliminated the boob tube addiction. Apparently, it’s harder that what I originally thought it would be. I understand now how some people could get addicted to certain vices. I do. Seriously.

Anyway, tell me why I am addicted to the following:

1. Grey’s Anatomy Season 3

Aside from how well written the introduction as well as the final note Meredith Grey(Ellen Pompeo) gives, it seriously is a very nice series. There’s funny George, hot Izzie (saw her a couple of months ago at Nordstom), sarcastic Christina, and the character we all love to hate, Alex. There’s just so much interesting things happening in what we would normally consider such a boring place like a hospital.

2. Survivor: Cook Island

I confess I am a survivor freak. I may not be able to enumerate every single person in survivor but let me tell you this. I have seen 95% of all episodes. Some even twice or thrice(I put the “o” in looooser). For some reason, I just enjoy watching it. At this current installment, there’s even a Filipina. Wohoo! Go Jenny! 🙂

3. Pinoy Dream Academy

Who would have thought? I know some of you may find this jologs (pardon me for the lack of a better term) others may understand where I’m coming from. I am not gonna talk about how some people just can’t sing that well (for instance, Kristoff, who got booted out finally). Wait, did I just talk about them? Haha! I will, on the other hand, say that Yeng.. you rock my world! Isn’t she just amazing?

So if not for TFC and abc’s webbie, I wouldn’t be this addicted to those shows. I blame you! Haha!

There’s also other shows that I am enjoying but not that much addicted to. Such as Brothers and Sisters, South Park reruns, etc. So guys, remind me to get a life ok?

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The chimpanzee thingy(I see people and their smirk) will be on my next post. It just sounded cool so I included it on the title.

Might as well join the club. Even though I have a primate observation project that’s due in 27 hours. No outline, no rough drafts, no whatsoever. Need to change the cramming habit. I so need to.

 Here goes:

Rob-You’re someone I met since college. I figured my old nick was way too common and sounded so juvenile so I wanted people to call me Rob instead.

Rj-You’re someone I met before college or a relative.

Kuya-You’re my mom or my sister.

Kuya Rob- You’r an 04-A co-app (the best!) or a lower batch KEMer.

Bobby (with British accent)-You’re Linda or (sometimes) Joey.

Robbie-You’re Joey.

Robert-You’re probably someone I just met or someone from work. But my close friend Vickyto calls me this (I guess she and a couple of close friends are exceptions).

Julius-You’re my high school calculus professor.

Bob-You’re my sister’s boyfriend.

Bert-Aaarrgh! You’re my driving teacher. And I do not want to be called this.

This post is long overdue. It took Joline’s taggie (see previous bolg) to remind me that I needed to write about John Mayer’s concert last month. Haha!

Don’t get me wrong though. I had a great time that night! He’s really awesome! It’s the first time that I’ve seen him perform live and within such a close range for that matter. Thanks to my friends (Anne, Joey, and Kris) who drove with me to San Diego to watch him perform. You guys are amazing! Anyhow, here are some pics..