this sunday

'finished off the last of the make-up mountaineering skills exams yesterday morning. i had failed the land navigation theoretical test (which was just a fluke since nobody studied for it), but did well in the practical navigation with the compass and map, which never really was a problem to begin with.

i had a bit more difficulty with the ropesmanship skills test, though the testing people this time around were a lot more reasonable and a lot more friendly. we went through all 12+ of the basic knots we're supposed to know, and i could only perform about 9-10 of them. so what i was doing instead of studying how to do the last two knots, they asked me? I was busy having a life i wanted to holler back. but i didn't, coz deep down inside i know that learning how to make these knots is pretty important. we're not making decorative macrame. we're actually learning things that have practical application out there. i won't be so stupid anymore when it comes to making clotheslines, making guylines taut, and crossing rivers.

in less than two weeks we make our induction climb in Halcon, and we've arranged climbing groups already. my group is pretty ok. i get along with most everyone, and the one person i dont want to be grouped with ISNT in my group, so just by that much i'm satisfied already. the gang spent the rest of the afternoon in Galleria, going through Bombproof, Bratpack, Athlete's Foot, StoreShop and Toby's. I've had enough of recreational stores for the next two weeks. we finished the night off watching Feng Shui (w/c I didn't find scary at all, but the story was decent anyway), and also caught Shark's Tale after dinner. Got home all tired with no more money.