Hello, Hivers!✨ It’s been a really, really long time since I posted a blog here. I guess my last one was still in the first week of 2025.🤔 Finals week and research defense consumed so much of my time that I am thankful it has ended already. Despite the busy and tight schedule that mentally and emotionally drained me🫠, I chose to look at the brighter side of the picture and think how I was faring. I am genuinely grateful because I can already feel the pressure experienced by graduating students—freshman me would cry if she saw how I’m thriving today. The sad thing about this ordeal since the first week of January is that I get only two to four hours of sleep every day, countless hours of reading and revising our thesis (please don't ask me on this one, we're not proud of it hahaha😆). Of course, not being able to post here also saddens me since it has become a sort of outlet of expression to me. And in all honesty, it’s so good to be back!🤩✨  As the new semester progresses, we were welcomed by an activity prepared by our organization’s officers as we honor our org’s founding anniversary. As a major, Social Studies or Araling Panlipunan (AP) is a relatively new program offered by our campus—which started in 2019, if my memory serves me right. In 2021, the pioneering batch of Social Studies majors (seniors) established a new organization representing us and our major. Four years later, despite the changes of administration and leaders of the org (HIYAS) and its activities, it is undeniable that some of our traditions and customs remain the same. As we celebrated our anniversary last January 27th, we were greeted by new games and activities inspired by the recently trending K-drama, “Squid Game,” but with a twist of Pinoy (Filipino) Culture.🫡 ---

Game 1

The event started at 9 am with a few inspirational messages from the officers. Trivia questions were then asked to test our competitiveness and warm us up for the rest of the event. The officers then grouped us randomly, having 1st to 4th years in one team because group effort would mostly win the games. Well, it’s also great to help us socialize with our fellow Social Studies majors and to have a chance to talk with our juniors. The first game was about our spirit animal—our group was in for a fierce start as we jokingly drew a scorpion🦂, leaving a statement that, like scorpions, our group aims for survival even among the deadliest habitat and that we are venomous so other groups should better watch out, hahaha. Others also went in the same direction, having their spirit animals as predators.  _{Quick disclaimer on this one, my lovely and talented juniors were the ones who drew and explained our output-- they're so witty, I can't possibly claim credit on this one, hahaha.} ---

Game 2

The second game was inspired by the Dalgona Challenge; however, instead of a honey biscuit, we had to eat the whites in stick-os before answering the trivia questions. Unfortunately, I got eliminated on the first try since I immediately broke my stick-o. My groupmates won, though, and I’m so happy I didn’t have them on a setback.  _{This one was quite tricky, the wafer stick version is as hard as the original. If this was really squid game, I'm afraid I'd be the first one to say bye.} ---

Game 3

 _{Sorry, had to censor this one. Most of them are not in my class and it's my first time meeting some of the faces, that's why.} The next game was held outdoors since we only had limited space inside our room. If you watch the TV show, you’d know that after the Dalgona challenge, Tug of War would be the next game, for season 1 at least. Since we have eight (8) groups, groups 1 and 2 would be the opposing teams, the same for groups 3 and 4, 5 and 6, and 7 and 8. Since we were the fifth group, our opponent would be group 6, and honestly, I’m not that worried since we have our classmates who are 2 boys on our team. What is unforeseen is that I was also compelled to be part of our team (it was fun, not going to lie). We won twice before we finally tasted defeat during the championship round. My right hand suffers from minor injuries like light abrasion, mostly due to the friction of the rope to my skin, but overall, it was a fun game.  _{Please understand, I can't censor everything, but look, aren't we having fun here?} Sadly, our happiness was short-lived as we had to attend our afternoon practice for our pinning ceremony. Thus, we had to exit earlier than our juniors, who had the chance to play more games and finish the events. Nonetheless, the day was filled with fun and laughter, and even though we only had a few months left as seniors in this major, I felt that we had successfully built a connection through this event.