Blame it on Bam. I thought it was a hassle, but I did enjoy once I got started.
Each player of this game starts off by making a weblog post, listing ten(10) weird things/habits or little known facts about himself/herself, then tagging six(6) other bloggers to do the same. No tagbacks. 
1. I was born premature, and weighed only 3.3 lbs. It used to annoy me when they start telling about how I looked simian until after the first two weeks, and that they get pleasure in emphasizing “unggoy” as they go along with the story. And they’re most willing to tell to a new face who comes to the house with me.
2. I have been called by different names, these changing as frequently as I change my mind ( yes, Tingting, you are right on this about me). It started with Dodo, which got corrupted into Barondo (bisaya gyud. Pastilan!). Then my aunts started calling me Junjun at home, while classmates called me Ernie at school. Imagine how low one’s esteem could dive when the whole high school agreed to call you Erning? And “Erning-a-living” when they felt like sweet talking to me? My best friend was kinder in addressing me Erns, though. Then it turned to Jun and Jhun, but I preferred to write it as Junn. Until I thought it best to use Jun, even if it has to be the most generic of all Filipino monikers. In college I’ve been called mayor, gov, prex, Estong, Antiong, Antiox, Tiong… And then newer acquaintances insist on calling me EJ, and with that, who am I to complain?
3. I applied for the seminary before my high school graduation. I wanted to join the Redemptorists. I only got as far as the 1-week search-in seminar in Cebu. That was my first time to travel alone, too.
4. I always want my nails clipped straight across, not curved. It annoys me that Manang Betty, the manicurist, keeps forgetting I don’t like having my fingers dabbed with merthiolate.
5. I can curl my tongue, but neither of my parents can. Enough about the heredity myth.
6. I have minimal eyelashes, and that’s what new acquaintances notice when they get up close. At first it bothers them that I have either bloodshot lower eyelids, or an occasional sty on an upper lid. There is limited protection from dust, thus the constant irritation.
7. I almost didn’t pass my licensure exams. I was geared up to make my alma mater proud, but then there was a glitch during the practical phase. My “patient” for one of the exercises excused herself for the restroom, but failed to come back for checking. I don’t know how she got out of the premises as they weren’t allowed to pass before cut-off. I had to line up with the rest of the patients, explain to the board of examiners what had happened and present my product, sans patient. They gave me the minimum passing rate 75%, dragging down my general average. Ughhh.
8. I sleep in a combination of foetus and freefaller positions. Does this tell anything about my personality? Check out Chuckie’s article on sleep positions. It’s for you to surmise, but it’s up to me to accede.
9. I learned to read before I got into pre-school by hanging out at my uncle’s sari-sari (convenience) store, browsing through every issue of Universal, Aliwan, Wakasan and Liwayway , in delighted anticipation of what’s going to happen next in Butiking Pasay, Urbano(?), and Anak ni Zuma. I even remember reading an old copy of Kenkoy. I have since lost my interest with komiks, but I am beginning to appreciate the current crop of indie komiks and illustrators. Thanks to Jonas Diego.
10. I was the perennial “best in conduct awardee” during elementary and high school. Until the later years when the class valedictorian decided he wanted that award, too. Kidding. One just can’t have it all, can he? Shy guy that I was, I still got into the university student council. President, at that. Ahehehe.
Now, comes the fun part… I’m tagging Tingting, Chuckie, Jonas, Jonell, Marizen, and Heuey.
PEACE, guys…
5 Comments
March 7, 2007 at 2:55 pm
I can’t find the “meme”. Amf…
March 7, 2007 at 5:50 pm
so you are a living proof that a premature baby could be a tard or a genius. good thing, you are the latter.
March 8, 2007 at 3:59 pm
Got mine posted.
March 8, 2007 at 6:12 pm
March 8, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Ting: i’ve often felt underachieved. i never got into any honors list, and i hardly had a chance to explore my talents before college. getting involved in campus activism was an offshoot to my frustation not getting into the the missions/Redemptorists, i suppose. hehe.
it’s a constant challenge to get out my shell, and perhaps this makes me the late bloomer that i am.