Another Night to Blog

Everyone wants to write something, i think. They want to write something that changes lives, that affects someone and that really hits the spot, whatever that spot may be. It's gotta have "it!" Whatever the "it" refers to.

I don't think this is that blog.

I think this is just the blog that everyone writes when they're trying to write the spectacular memoir on life and religion, or on living in harmony - as one with oneself and with the world. This is that blog - that pseduo-spectacular thing - that is interesting to none but the reader.

Thought number one:
Isn't it delightful to be touched? I think so. It's quite pleasing to have someone want to be close to you. It gives you the impression that they care and may have particular interest. Juxtapose it with all the strings attached and it's not so much fun anymore.

Thought number two:
"Isn't it funny?!" She says and looks at me, laughing with mutual appreciation and understanding, while simultaneously he spouts "Isn't it funny?!" with that same look of awareness and comprehension. And then, looking from her to him, him to her, it all makes sense. The phrase "middle man" comes to life, as does the phrase "3rd wheel." And it all makes sense that Dan in Real Life is biographical and so very, very true tl life. All you can expect is to be surprised, and..SURPRISE! Sometimes things just happen. Which is good! But why, then, is there so much apprehension? And why is it that the unwritten rules are what keep everything all at bay? Doesn't it just make sense for everything to work out great? But - are personal insecurities, and self esteem more important than mutual attraction and happy endings? Probably. And that's when reality sets in again. Don't you just wanna kick it and smash it with a frying pan?!?!

And then there is everyone else. It's good that there are other options. It makes it a little easier pill to swallow. It's nice that everyone else is kind, and attractive and mildly invested, perhaps. I'm too used to it, though, i suppose. I should be independent and take time to "figure myself out" but...no. That's not what i want.

Mostly, I do just want to not have to try. It scares me to have to get to know people - i dont' know how! I've gotten too used to being myself, my whole self, all the time and not being judged for it. What then? What if it's not desirable. What if it's not wanted or appreciated. 
Why can't we all just be honest and say what we feel!?

Thin Slicing

I'm reading a book that I enjoy.

It's Brilliant.

In it, I've read about the concept of "thin slicing." A concept so profound and so true that until it's pointed out to you, you'd scarcely see that you do it all day every day! Thin slicing refers to the fact that when we are faced with new things, new situations, new people, and sometimes even old situations - we deduce almost immediately how to feel about it, and how to react. I loved it.

Based upon the smallest and almost imperceptible things we can realize so much.

An aspect of thin slicing that I've become painfully aware of recently is the fact that the WAY you "thin slice" someone or something can often depend on external influences and factors. It's the concept that you're more likely to do well on a test when you shift your mind into a more professorial mindset, rather than the "unprepared, ignorant student" mindset. Nothing changes about your knowledge or preparedness - only your mindset. One aspect I find exceedingly interesting (and often quite obvious) is that when you surround yourself with positive influences, you're more likely to associate positivity with the world around you.

Here's a test straight from the book:

"We make connections much more quickly between pairs of ideas that are already related in our minds than we do between pairs of ideas that are unfamiliar to us. What does that mean? Let me give you an example. Below is a list of words. Tap your finger in the approrpiate column to assign each name to the category to which it belongs. Do it as quickly as you can. Don't skip over words and don't worry if you make any mistakes.

Male ------------------- Female
.............John................
.............Bob.................
..............Amy...............
.............Holly..............
.............Joan...............
.............Derek.............
............Peggy...............
............Jason..............
............Lisa..............
.............Matt...............
............Sarah...............

That was easy, right?....That was a warm up. Now let's complete an actual IAT [test]. It works like the warm-up except now I'm going to mix two entirely separate categories together. Once again, put a check mark to either the right or the left of each word in the category to which it belongs.

Male or Career-----------------Female or Family
.....................Lisa.........................
.....................Matt.........................
.....................Laundry......................
.....................Entrepreneur.................
.....................John.........................
.....................Merchant.....................
.....................Bob..........................
.....................Capitalist...................
.....................Holly........................
.....................Joan.........................
.....................Home.........................
.....................Corporation..................
.....................Siblings.....................
.....................Peggy........................
.....................Kitchen......................
.....................Derek........................

"My guess is that most of you found that a little harder, but that you were still pretty fastat putting the words into the right categories. Now try this:

Male or Family------------------Female or Career
....................Babies........................
....................Sarah........................
....................Derek........................
....................Merchant........................
....................Employment........................
....................John........................
....................Holly........................
....................Bob........................
....................Domestic........................
....................Entrepreneur........................
....................Office........................
.................... Joan........................
....................Peggy........................
....................Cousins........................
....................Grandparents........................
....................Corporation........................

Did you notice the difference? This test was quite a bit harder than the one before it, wasn't it? IF you are like most people, you took a little longer...That's because most of us have much stronger mental associations between maleness and career-oriented concepts than we do between femaleness and ideas related to careers.

Interesting, right?

Today - I looked around my room, listening to George Benson, the Beatles, jazz and other such hopes, I saw 3 books on my desk next to my joy journal; "Blink," "Between The Lines," and "Sophie's World." I saw a painting of Brian Andreas that says "Feels like some kind of ride but it's turning out just to be life going absolutelyyy perfectly." I saw a Beatles poster, a picture of my grandfather, my sister, my friends, and Jesus. And as I remember where I've been and who I've left pieces of myself with, I feel content.

I think I'm attracted to positivity. I think we all are- but sometimes feel guilty about it. But because of that, I almost want more of it - to be freakishly optimistic is, admittedly, a strange goal I have in sight.
And so, I can only hope that these external factors really do help my perspective. I think that sometimes I feel them in the things i do and the ways i react. And that - well, that makes me happy.

And happiness is certainly a step in the right direction, after all.

Blogging

I think I want to start again.

Because yesterday, while drinking the most delicious chocolate mousse frappe I've ever tasted. And every time I go up there, whether to drink, explore or play, I'm always inspired. I really should go more often.

I decided that it's about time I start doing the things I want to do and being who I always thought I would be.

Ever thought of that? Just being who you want to be? Just start.

That's what I'm going to try doing.

And I will accomplish it by doing the following things:

Eating less
Running more
Disconnecting more frequently from technology
Reading books I like
Finding my spirituality
Spending time with people I Love
Taking care of myself and others
Loving
Getting rid of so much of the "stuff" I own
Working hard (increasing work ethic)
Redefining, and strengthening personal values

Ah, summer resolutions. They always seem to work out better for me than the January kind.

Not a Deep Dark Secret Anymore

Have you ever thought about what you would do with your life if EVERY option were available, regardless of time, talent, education or money?

I have.

Do you know what I would choose to do?

I would make music videos.

Not sleezy semi-pornographic videos, no no.

Neat ones:

Like This

Or This.

Or This.

Why? Because they're beautiful and creative and fun. And I want to make things that are beautiful, and sometimes I feel like I'm creative and it would be fun to do.

Will I ever do it?

Probably yes.

 I think I might even make one like this for kicks:

Like this.

Internship, Fitness and Productivity

I know, I know. It's been six months since I last posted an entry on my blog. I was just really so occupied with things in school, such as my dissertation (which btw a super big deal!), my feature-length screenplay in my Film class, issues happening in my radio production class and more. But thank you, Lord! I made it this semester and finally school is over! I am straight off an incoming senior student in college next school year. Hooray!

Moving on, it's already summer in the Philippines and many are planning to spend their vacation in another country, at the beach or in a province, but not me. I'll be expending my time, specifically 200 hours, in the company I'm working at right now. I just began yesterday and I had fun doing the tasks my supervisor assigned to me, like updating the company's website and their social media platforms, research news and other articles related to their company (Which is more about green living and technology ;)).

And since my work schedule is really flexible, I also planned to spend half of my day everyday working out! Yep, that's right... WORKING OUT! My goal this month is to lose more fat, retain my body toned, and have that bikini body when it's time to go to the beach! After all the work in the office, I'm sure I still want to show off my torso (just hoping that my school won't give me a violation. Bahaha!)

I'm so glad I found a way to make this summer productive! Yay!

I promise to keep this blog updated from now on :))) just keep in touch. I have go, time to go to work ;)

Xoxo.

Give me money or buy me books instead!

I haven't finished collecting all published books of Nicholas Sparks...

So as the set of Gallegher Girls by Ally Carter...

I haven't even bought hundreds of books that I listed on a sheet of paper, and now there are more good books being published lately that I also wanted to add on my list.

Sigh.

I have all the time to buy and read them, BUT... I'm not financially free yet to purchase them all! Tsk! Tsk! If only my parents own a bookstore, just look how happy I could be by just reading all the books I wanted for free! Unfortunately, that's not my reality...

Now, I just want to earn big amount of money and go straight there, to the bookstore, and buy those books I've been longing for to have! or you could buy me one ;)

That's all I have in mind tonight.

Good night!

Feel good, you'll look better

It is really true! When you feel good, like when you're simply in your comfortable clothes or you aced an exam or just having a good mood, you are absolutely going to look better! If so, don't miss the chance to take a picture of yourself wearing your bright smile. Just like what I did! I believe that it helps to remind me why I should always keep my mind positive everyday. You know, self-motivation.

So, if you want to look young and vibrant just like me, you should also start being optimistic, and the rest will follow.

Try it! Optional, but highly recommended ;)

I have questions

1. What should I blog about?

2. If one were to ship baked goodies to London, what would one do to guarantee freshness?

3. Would you be embarrassed to hang out with me if I wore my hair in a ponytail every day for the next month?

4. What’s your favorite blog to read?

5. Would any of you want to guest post for me while I’m away in the land of frijoles and tortillas?

6. Would you be offended if every time your friend talked to you she called you ‘fatty’?

7. How can women walk in high heels?

8. What do you eat for lunch?

9. Is it warm where you live?

10. What should I blog about?

Being a Human

It’s not so hard, especially after you realize the following:

1. Don’t deny yourself the chance to do the things you love, because you “have to do” other things. I mean – go ahead – make your own novel and take care of homeless animals!

2. Don’t ignore the people you love and care for the most, even if it’s COMPLETELY unintentional. It doesn’t take much to send a message or text, or make a call.

3. It’s okay to be you, and you don’t have to try to be anything else. I like chips and color pink, and working-out in instead of sleeping and that’s okay. I can go for a jog on early weekends or cook breakfast.

4. You can be or do anything you want, and you don’t have to apologize for it. It’s okay to be proud of what you can do, think and create!

5. Life will always move too fast. It’s useless to complain about that fact.

Top Five Ways to Survive College

Going to college for the first time, second time and even for the last time is a roller coaster ride of emotions. College is never the same every single day. On some days it can be cool and relaxing, most of the days it can be a mad rush of deadlines, written exams, oral reports and papers due. Just having too much of anything can be a big stress for us in our typical college life. In order to avoid this, let me share to you some tips.

Here are 5 good ways to survive college:

#1 Know your priority
One of my interviewees in this article is Miss Joan Jao, a UAAP track and field athlete and a cum laude graduate from De La Salle University in Taft. I asked her how she survived her college life knowing that she played for her school, yet did excellent in her academics. "Paano yan! I did not survive college, nag-excel ako!", she gladly said. Her answer intrigued me so I asked further and listened to every detail she shared. "Know what you want. Decide to prioritize. Take top 1, then focus on it.", she added. She believes that we should set our own goals, guidelines and be determined to follow it as we face our college life adventure. This is easier than playing catch up. Just like when we set a certain grade steady throughout our college career. If we want to get a grade of at least 4.5 in our QPA (quarterly percentage accumulated) we have to do it from the beginning. If we get those grades the first semester, this lets us know what we need to do each semester to keep up this pace and get these good marks again.

#2 Good time management
We are going to need this skill for the rest of our life, not just in school, but also when we start having our own work and family. So why not start early? Time management is one of the most important skills we should master in order to balance the things we need to do and the things we want to do, especially when we are in school. Soon, we will find ourselves with so much free time. How we choose to spend our time can be the determinant for our future success as a college student. "Make every time productive", says Miss Kimberly Medina. She was the captain ball in table tennis in her senior year and also a graduate from De La Salle University with honors and received the 'Athlete of the year' award. "Back then, I used my time in the morning to attend all my classes. When break time, I do all my homework and projects, and I used my time in the evening to attend my training ". She did not waste a minute of her time while she was still studying in college, that is just why she achieved success and survived her life in college. If you are a student athlete right at this moment, you just might want to follow what she did at her time.

Just like her, let us not wait until the end of the semester to complete all our projects. If we do things as we go along, we just have to maintain the pace, which is easier than doing everything at once. I am a firm believer in procrastination, but it always seems to get us in trouble.

#3 Have good friends
Let us admit it! At some point in time we need to be absent in class because of some reasons. The best way to be updated with the lessons is asking our friends about it or borrowing their notes. Not only that, we can always count on them when we need their help. We do not want to be all alone in college, do we? Plus, they can be trusted in any given group work because they want to make sure they contribute as much as we do just to keep the smooth sailing relationship with them.

#4 Just have fun
Yes, we need to study, but we also need to have fun! These are four of the greatest years of our life! So let us get our papers done, stay up late, go to Eastwood and have a blast! "I survived college just doing what is fun for me.", Miss Kathleen Ira, a Miriam College graduate, who was an active student at her time, explained in her interview that College is more of theories. In order for our ideas and learning to expand, we need to put ourselves in the different activities that can hone our skills. Through joining organizations, we can meet new friends and do tasks that we are not only going to enjoy, but will be responsible for it. "I don't like being pressured, especially in school. Once na nagpanic ka, mapaparalyze ka!" That is why whatever she does, she makes sure she is having fun in order for her to have a better output.

#5 Be good to yourself
After all the things we do in school to survive, we should still remember to take good care of ourselves. Having four hours of sleep and an empty stomach or junk-food diet is a big NO! It is still important to keep our body and mind healthy because we use those everyday.

Now that you have ideas on how to survive college, this is the right time to start making a wonderful school year. Good luck!

(P.S. this article is used in my journalism class, just wanted to post it here in my blog)