Red volcanoes and golden lava

Red volcanoes and golden lava

I sympathize with the affected families in Bicol, a region in the Philippines, who are experiencing the horrors of a volcanic eruption, courtesy of Mt. Mayon. Mt. Mayon is this beautifully-shaped and almost symmetrical volcano that has been dormant for years, but is spewing out lava onto the villages and fields along the slope and at the foot of the mountain.

I really hope everything will turn out fine for my these poor village folk.

Lately, too, I've been experiencing tumultuous eruptions of sorts on a personal level. Nothing dramatic, it's just my skin. It's eczema, and it SUCKS BIG TIME.

Remember the rashes and boils I was talking about? Ah yes, they're now red volcanoes and golden lava. I got them in the Philippines, and after a good three weeks or so, they're still on my arms, and are all the more disgusting. The worst ones are at the back of my left wrist, three big boils that I like to call Orion's belt--although there is nothing remotely amazing or spellbinding about them. The boils are disgusting, and I hate them.

It's begun to corrode my self-esteem in fact. They line my arms in some constellation like pattern, and they sometimes get wet and oozy. I especially hate those near my wrist and at the back of my hand, because I'm terrified of scaring people away. It's not contagious, though, but if I were another person I'd be disgusted too. I've been doing a lot of socialization of sorts too lately, what with this 4-day matriculation fair stint I did for Choir and The Ridge, this Choral Workshop the NUS Choir hosted on Tuesday and the Welcome Tea for newbies on Thursday, and my Editorial meeting with the Ridge guys. Ugh, I cannot imagine how I am going to lectures and tutorials when classes begin on Monday. :(

Aaron and Joanne wanted to swim today, but I had to pass because I'm afraid I'd receive the lifeguard's whistle and thrown out of the pool for being some sort of danger to the swimmers. Oh what a sad life.

I'm still taking the medications the doctor gave me, I'm just waiting to see if they work. I'm not sure if my boils going all out disgusting is a good sign, as it means the toxins are being purged out and better days are sure to come, or maybe the doctor (who asked me to strip to check my legs too) just couldn't help me.

Anyway, I'm already tired from working for Choir and The Ridge. And school proper hasn't even started. I hope I'm able to pull through, as this year is probably the biggest academic obstacle I've ever had to face.

I'm glad I have good company with me, though. The Pinoy group, who went for this Housewarming Party cum Carina's Birthday Celebration at Normanton Park last Saturday, and my Choir buddies, especially those who stay at Ridge View Residences. My bridging-mates Korinna and Ivy are also back, and I'm thrilled that they're around.

I've set up a Multiply account, but it's currently still a mess. Anyway, for the Pinoy party photos, they're already up at jcsorongon.multiply.com. Feel free to check them out. I'll soon upload some photos of what I've been doing lately, just so Ma and Dad and Kai and friends can have a look. :)

OK, time for potassium permanganate on my wounds.