Thursday, December 30, 2010

10 Most Awesome Things About 2010

Okay, so I would have to admit that 2010 isn't exactly the most awesome year for me, so creating this list was not as easy as ABC.  Despite the bad things that happened, I choose to look back on the good things that did happen, and this list counts down the 10 most awesome things about 2010.

10. Creating my Tumblr Page
- Tumblr redefined the paradigm of blogging. It brings me joy, laughter, and entertainment. I even got to meet  cool people this year because of the Tumblr Meet Up last June 25. Furthermore, the cool photos being blogged and reblogged actually inspire my inner photographer, so that's pretty awesome.

9. Rekindling the DEGRASSI fan in me
- Back when I was 12 years old, I watched the first season of DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION and fell in love with the unique show. Unfortunately, though, I never got to watch the seasons that came after, but I kept myself (close to) updated through the internet. And, the internet also gave me the opportunity to actually watch the things I've missed. I even spent most of my summer vacation with Degrassi marathons.

8. Expanding my personal library
- I spent thousands of pesos this year buying numerous books for me to read. Whether it's a book for school or personal pleasure, shopping for them was my version of retail therapy. Books are my source of joy, calm... they're my safe haven.

7. Owning a laptop
- Okay, so it's not brand new. But I am thankful for having it. It's been a great convenience to me, especially when it comes to doing school work and doing something fun.

6. Discovering the photographer in me
- I'm blessed that my dad's friend lent me a DSLR camera for me to use for my Journalism class. Honestly, though, I've used the camera for discovering my personal interest in photography. I'm still a beginner, mind you, but it's something I want to develop as an interest, maybe even as a talent. Hey, who knows? I'll probably become a writer/photographer one day. 

5. Turning 19
- Here I am, an age that borders between adulthood and adolescence. Being 19 for the past six months has been quite a ride - there's the inner fear of having to leave childhood behind and face the phony world of adulthood. (Catcher in The Rye much?) I then think about the amazing possibilities life has to offer and that inner fear fleets.

4.  The release of  A THOUSAND SUNS, NIGHTMARE, and LIVE IT UP
- Linkin Park came out with an awesome album tat showcased their versatility as artists. Meanwhile, Avenged Sevenfold's highly anticipated album since the death of their drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan. Lastly, American Idol season 9 winner Lee DeWyze  released his major record label debut album. The release of these albums is an awesome thing because all year long I looked forward to the new music these albums have to offer.

3.  The release of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1
- Ever since the book came out in 2007 I have been looking forward to its movie adaptation. Anybody who has read my blogs on the movie will know why this is on the list.

2. Becoming a huge fan of the TV shows The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and Glee
- Prior to 2010, though, I've heard of these shows - as a matter of fact, I've been watching How I Met Your Mother before - but this year I got to truly watch these shows. In doing so, I got to appreciate them. For instance, The Big Bang Theory allowed me to appreciate my inner geek... and it's okay to be a geek. You're just being yourself. On the other hand, How I Met Your Mother allows me to be in touch with my romantic side - the side of me that fantasizes about meeting The One, falling madly in love, getting married, and telling your two children how you met the love of your life. And finally, there's Glee. It's one of the most watched television shows. It's entertaining with its humor and music. My viewing pleasure was indeed pleasing (and awesome) because of these shows.

And the most awesome thing about my 2010 is...


... becoming a staff writer for Gasera
- The last time I became a campus journalist was in senior year of high school. Freshman year I tried out for the university's official publication and the fact that I was not accepted sort of hindered me from trying again. This year, though, I threw caution to the wind and just went with the desire to share my passion for writing by showing people what I can do. I will admit: my path as a staff writer hasn't always been smooth - I've had moments where my dedication was questioned, but for the most part, I've had an awesome time doing what I do best and sharing it with others. And the best part is when people tell you that they appreciate what you like... that's the best reward.

So now I look forward to 2011. 

And I'll just let this picture I found in Tumblr speak for itself:


Friday, December 24, 2010

Life Lessons From Sims

Playing video game isn't one of my biggest hobbies, but there is one video/computer game that has me hooked. I am so hooked on this game that I sit on the couch with the laptop in front of me and play for hours. I even go to bed at one a.m. because of this game.

I am talking about SIMS.


For those that don't know, SIMS is a game where you create "families" of simulated human characters, move them into a home, and pretty much control their lives. The game is like life itself, only difference is that the game's simulated.


Like real people in the real world, Sims characters need to eat, heed t the call of nature, bathe, sleep, maintain relationships with other people, have fun, develop skills in order to get a good job, and maybe even fall in love and start a family.

And for me, Sims isn't just a game one can play during unproductive days. A lot can be learned from playing Sims:

  1. In life, you need to have fun. It can't always be about your occupation or preparing food or studying. Sometimes you just gotta let loose - dance, relax and read a book, shoot some hoops, hang out with a friend to forget the world for a minute.
  2. Striking a balance among all the things you do is important. When you're tired, take a rest. When you're hungry, eat. When you're bored do something recreational. You get the picture.
  3. Maintaining relationships is important. Talk to a friend or even just take a few minutes of your day to interact with your friends and family. Life can get really depressing if you live life in your own world all the time.
  4. In order to get a job that is dignified and well-paying, you have to hone your skills. That involves plenty of studying and practice.
  5. While it may be a lot of fun playing God and controlling a simulated character's life, you should never forget to live your own life. Remember to keep yourself from getting hungry, tired - in other words, remember to take care of yourself and others first before you take care of the simulated version of yourself and your family and friends.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Expiration Dates on Secrets

Benjamin Franklin once wrote: Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. What dear Franklin is trying to tell is that most things don't remain a secret, no matter how much we would want them to. Eventually, someone will be a snitch and blow the cover. Secrets are like milk: they have expiration dates. They can also be like bombs that cause destruction when detonated.

Recently, a secret of mine reached its expiration. Okay, so I couldn't hold my tongue long enough. I caved and told a single soul (and eventually other souls found out) that I am attracted to one of my classmates in ESP. And another secret blew to bits when three classmates figured out I had (or still have?) feelings for a guy I am friends with. Damn. I did not put on a good poker face.

Ah, well, it was probably about time, anyway.

The "Just Friends" Satisfaction

"Should my heart rejoice because we're friends or should my heart break because that is all we will ever be?"

My conversation last Tuesday afternoon with one of my classmates made this thought come into mind when she and two other classmates found out I used to have feelings for one of my guy friends.

They even thought he and I would be great together, considering we have a lot in common. Even in the past, I've heard the teases from my friends that... um... said guy and I would make a great couple. It's a sweet, comforting thought. But I feel like it's more complicated than that.

Nevertheless I am content that he and I are friends. I usually don't end up being friends with guys that I like, so the friendship that he and I have is what I would call progress (and a blessing). And I am happy that he and I are friends - that means we're in each other's lives. Come to think of it, we're almost-but-not-quite like a couple, except there are no touching, expectations of any sort, unsanitary exchange of saliva, or sappy sweet nothings. I'm fine with that.

If he and I are meant to be, something will be done by someone (either of us) to make things happen. Right now, I just don't think it's in the cards.

Friday, December 17, 2010

The True Love Paradigm

The things you don't pay for are sometimes the things you learn from the most. For instance, last Monday night I learned a lot from my friend Joseph and his girlfriend Kaye about relationships - meeting your significant other, taking that leap of faith to be with the person you're in love with, making the relationship work, dealing with differences, and other little things. 

Joseph's little "symposium" on love all began when we (me, and four other friends) saw him waiting for his girlfriend. We then sat down next to him in the hallway and asked him how he and Kaye met. He then went on to tell the story, and it almost felt like we the listeners were Ted Mosby's children on How I Met Your Mother

They have a sweet story, and though it may be similar to other love stories I've heard, their story has its unique elements: admitting feelings after a night of ghost hunting, saying "L" word on a starry December night, and falling in love over the Christmas break.

After telling their story, they also answered my friend Ruth's questions. Here are things I learned from both the story and the "Q and A" portion:

  1. The moment you feel that ineffable attraction for someone comes unexpectedly. You'll know it - whether by intuition or something else - and you'll know that it just feels right. You don't even have to ask yourself twice.
  2. If you want to be with someone you have plenty (and I mean PLENTY) in common with - like interests or beliefs - you might as well start a relationship with a mirror. I now find it narcissistic to want to be with someone who has almost everything in common with you.
  3. "Agree to disagree." Differences will always be there, and they'll be the cause of bickers, but the thing about them is that you don't linger on them. Learn to let go, and move on.
  4. Relationships are easy - as long as you're with the right person. It's easy to find it in yourself to let go of your pride, to get in a fight but make up, to get through any problem, and to trust because you now the other person is the right one for you. If none of those things are easy, then you're not with the right person.
After the enlightening talk, I boldly told the couple "When I have a boyfriend, I'll introduce him to you. I'll even tell him, 'it's because of their enlightening advice that you and I are together.'"

When I get in a relationship in the near future, I'll make sure it's the "real deal." It's a relationship grounded on love, happiness, respect, and loyalty. A big part of me is ready for the "true love" paradigm.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

"You want a piece of me?"

Sometimes, as much as I'd like to forget about (forgive me if I come off as crass) the crap from my past, people bring it up and the memories come back like the Ghost of Christmas Past. When this happens I try not to lose my cool by getting mad or defensive. I only wish people don't bring the stuff up in the first place.

For instance, as I was on my way out of school last Saturday, a classmate whom I was leaving with pointed out that a guy I used to like was nearby and we were about to cross paths with him.  And I thought that was the end... but she went on by telling me that the guy's girlfriend was a Teacher Education student majoring in English. She then goes on to joke that I may have a shot with him someday. I told her of the fallacy of the statement, but she thought I was being defensive and that I was actually being hopeful or something.

I'm not. I've done a pretty good job of moving on, and it helps if people would cease their assumptions that I still have lingering feelings for a guy who is happy in his relationship. I'm not pathetic enough to wish he and I were together. I'm doing just fine having let go and I would do so much better if people would also let go.

People are free to believe whatever they want, as long as they have solid basis for those beliefs.  So, people can believe what they want to believe about me as long as they have facts to back them up... and as long as they don't try to rebuild bridges I have already burned. Then again, that last part may not come easy.

And as Lady Gaga once said, "People are always gonna talk. So we might as well give them something to talk about."

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Frog Prince Theory: It's gonna be a thing!

The Frog Prince Theory is loosely based on the Mermaid Theory. What's The Mermaid Theory, you ask? For men, it is when an initially unattractive woman become very attractive through time. For more details, click the link for a YouTube video of a clip from How I Met Your Mother s06e11



Now I've come up with a similar theory applicable for women: The Frog Prince Theory. The theory states that a guy, whom a woman finds to be unattractive at the first meeting (much like a frog) through time may become an attractive (note: handsome, hot) "prince" in her eyes. The theory works like beer goggles, only it doesn't always involve copious amounts of alcohol. The Frog Prince Theory may come into effect through a) spending plenty of time in the company of said "frog/prince", b) absence of guys that women find to be attractive, c) hormonal imbalance, or d) desperation to "get some."


Recently, The Frog Prince Theory applied to my life. For about two months, a classmate of mine suddenly appeared... what's the word?... decent-looking. To be honest, he's not really a catch. He's not a 10 with looks, he's not the brightest bulb in the room, and he's not exactly Mr. Personality. As a matter of fact, he's the kind of guy who flatters girls ("bolero" in Filipino terms) just to get their attention. I guess that's his way of compensating.

Anyway, if you ask me what caused my sudden attraction to him, I would probably say all of the above.

But if you're wondering if it's possible to go from finding the frog a prince, and finding the prince to be a frog again, I tell you that it is. Eventually, I sobered up, so to say. The beer goggles went off and I found myself not attracted to the guy again.

And now I can look back and laugh at how wrong I was. Then I can get on track with finding my actual prince.


Friday, December 10, 2010

Points of Authority

Usually, I would use my own words to describe what I'm feeling or thinking regarding what's going on in my life. Tonight, though, I figured I'd just use the lyrics to Linkin Park's "Points of Authority"  to express what I'm feeling. Whether I am referring to a friend or a family member, I'm not going to say. I'll let the mystery linger.

Points of Authority
by Linkin Park

Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last

You love the way I look at you
While taking pleasure in the awful things you put me through
You take away if I give in
My life
My pride is broken

[Chorus:]
You like to think you're never wrong
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you have been through
(You live what you've learned)

You love the things I say I'll do
The way I hurt myself again just to get back at you
You take away when I give in
My life
My pride is broken

[Chorus]

[Forfeit the game
Before somebody else
Takes you out of the frame
And puts your name to shame
Cover up your face
You can't run the race
The pace is too fast
You just won't last]x2

[Chorus]

[Chorus:]
You like to think you're never wrong  
Forfeit the game
(You live what you've learned)
You have to act like you're someone 
Forfeit the game
(You live what you've learned)
You want someone to hurt like you 
 Forfeit the game
(You live what you've learned)
You want to share what you have been through
(You live what you've learned)



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Good, Bad, and Mediocre

This past weekend was good, bad, and mediocre.

It was good because I got to be a part of the lantern parade for the centennial of our university. The bad - nay, hellish - part was being late and having to chase our school just to keep up (in the case of me and 5 others). From there, the worse led to a mediocre performance at the dance whatnot after the parade.

It was good that I got to exercise the growing photographer in me. But, it was bad that some classmates take advantage of the fact that I use a DSLR camera for them to have their picture taken. What am I, their personal photographer/paparazzo? And before that, a supposed friend ruins my day by sneaking up on me on putting me on a choke hold. If that is his idea of a joke, well, I'm not LOL-ing. I genuinely got pissed off because what he did made me feel embarrassed me in front of my classmates. I haven't even heard a genuine apology from him. (Not even a "sorry", just a defensive "okay, I'll give you your space.")  I hate to admit that that moment ruined my mood for the day. I felt disrespected - as a friend, and as a girl. That choke holder "friend" can expect a few words from me the next time he sees me. He can expect a taste of my wrath.... because hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, right?

Okay, so more bad things happened than good, but I'll choose to remember the good when I look back on this past weekend. If I look at the bad and mediocre, I'll only boil my own blood and go, "shoulda, woulda, coulda."

And those words are only for fools.


Monday, December 6, 2010

Dear So-Called Friend,

Thanks for letting me know you were tired of me. Forming new close friendships with those two and rubbing it in my face really was the kindest way to do it. 

And thanks for sitting down with me and talking about your problems with me. Then again, it was probably better for you to ignore me and act like the past two years of our friendship never happened. You have a way with the element of surprise!

It's all right if you want to be with your two new BFFs. Go ahead and be with the pretty, popular ones all the boys bow down to. Go ahead and forget about the little people.

All I ask is for you to give me some honesty and show me a little respect. Don't turn your back on me, ignore me, and leave me hanging.

If truth be told, you don't know the pendulum I am on - I go from happy to sad, from mellow to enraged. You don't bother to ask me about it, so I don't tell you a thing. Besides, it's not my style to shower others with my burden. If you truly know me, you would know that.

So if you want none of my baggage, that's your prerogative. You can do the weak thing and abandon someone who needs your help.

Because a true friend would help a friend with a baggage. In doing so, everything else becomes easier. But I'm guessing you're not the person I count as "true." Thanks for the times, the invite your home and all the other things - I'm just sorry I can't be who you want me to be. I'm sorry if my baggage is too much for you to take.

For as long as we've been friends, I've accepted you for who you are. All along I thought you were doing the same thing.


Consider this letter my way of letting go of the bottled up emotions.

WONDERING IF I WAS EVER TRULY YOUR FRIEND,
P. Viron

Friday, December 3, 2010

I Will Tell You One Time: Going on the Record with the Bieber Fever

One of the things I don't understand and thought I'll never, ever talk about is BIEBER FEVER. However, after watching a few nights ago a segment on E! News about Justin Bieber's book signing at NYC's Barnes & Nobles got me to think about writing about the pop culture phenom. Die hard fans, fret not - I am not here to talk trash about your idol.



First of all, I am NOT a fan of his music. I find nothing special about the entity of Justin Bieber - his look, music, and hype. There's nothing I find extraordinary about him. And so every time I see screaming - nay, even crying - Bieber fans (so-caled Beliebers) on TV, I just knit my eyebrows in utter confusion over their adoration and eventually go "Puh-lease!" In the said E! News segment, there was even a girl crying from joy or was probably feeling overwhelmed because Bieber asked her if his new haircut looked okay. I didn't know whether to laugh or to say that that fan was ridiculous.

I wish these fans would realize that Bieber's an ordinary guy they don't really need to cry over or do all the crazy things they do - like skipping Thanksgiving or staying in line for long, long hours just to meet the guy (who, like I said, isn't really so extraordinary) - in order to profess their adoration for a pop star, who, in years to come, will most likely be forgotten because someone new will come along. As Eurupides once wrote, Moderation wins the day first as a better word for men to use, and likewise it is far the best course for them to pursue.

In other words, moderation must be applied to everything, even when it comes to adoring famous people.

So, Bieber fans out there, adore Bieber all you want... just do it with moderation. Please.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Inspiration: "Me and My Jealousy" by Lee DeWyze

December wind in Baguio's supposed to feel so cold, but the only coldness I can feel is the one in my heart. Trying not to be jealous is easier said than done. Here I am writing out of jealousy.

... Jealous of the way you praise her beauty, as if I'm not standing close enough to hear your words and feel a sharp sting going through my pride.

I can only stand in silence and not let you know...

... That when I sleep at night, you're in the subconsciousness of my mind.

... That  I feel like you're the one I can spend long hours texting with late at night, walk down the hallway and hold hands with, talk about my date and eat lunch or dinner with...

... That you could fill the void growing in my soul.

I think about telling you... or just not telling you. You're confusing me with your words and your actions. I wonder if you ever wish you could tell me the same things you tell her.

But I don't want to keep thinking about this. I don't want to keep thinking about my jealousy.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

The Apprentice-like Semester

RESPONSIBILITY - I have plenty of it on my plate this semester, especially the weeks leading up to the prelim exams. Where do I even start in listing those responsibilities when I have so much?

I'll just start with the biggest and longest one: being the Editor-in-chief/group leader for our newsletter publication for Journalism class. I'm guessing my group mates chose me to be the leader because of my experiences as a campus journalist, though I've never actually gone as far as being the EIC. Also, they probably think that I can do it, so it is up to me to not let them down.

My responsibilities include collecting funds for getting our materials printed, assigning tasks, editing materials, and making sure every member on my staff in The Catalyst does her job.

The idea of naming our publication The Catalyst came when I was thinking of something cool and creative Linkin Park has come with. I ended up with the simplest of their song titles. And although I thought of calling our publication "Iridescence" - derived from the band's song "Iridescent" - I didn't want any issue with pronunciation.

This is a responsibility tagged on me for an entire semester. Thankfully, I have members I know I can rely on to step up.

While I'm on the topic of being a leader of a group for an entire semester, I found myself being the head of a four-member group for my English for Specific Purposes class. This one I'm not too happy about because this class is one that I, frankly, do not like, with its implications that it'll helpful if I become a teacher. Bah, humbug!

My other upcoming responsibilities include attending events for our university's foundation day (for "journalistic" purposes), writing an article for Gasera, working on requirements, and writing for personal project.

This is a lot more than I can normally handle, but maybe this is m chance to do some growing up... you know, that whole being mature and stuff. I know that I have A LOT of growing up to do, and sometimes I refuse to, like I'm Holden Caulfield or something. But the time has come to become a responsible adult, and I better seize the chance.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Finding Writer's Digest - It's a Sign

Whenever I flip through the magazine stocks at Book Sale in SM, I don't usually find anything I like. (Okay, so I do find magazines where some of my favorites actors or actresses are on the cover, but I don't go ahead and buy the magazines because I don't usually need them.) Yesterday, however, all the minutes of magazine-flipping paid off when I saw two magazines titled WRITER'S DIGEST. My thoughts when I saw the magazines: SCORE!

And seeing these magazines was a good thing. For some time I've been experiencing some self-doubt or anxiety mixed with strong hope and determination - an ambivalence, really - towards my chances of making it as a writer. Some of my instructors sneer and tell us we're (our class) not a certain level for us to consider ourself English majors. I try to fight off the negativity, but it just keeps coming, trying to masticate me in the gluteus.

One of the issues of the magazines I bought is particularly helpful - it's filled with tips on style, improvement, beating writer's block, etc. On the other hand, the other issue focuses on how to get your memoir published.

With these materials in hand, I hope to truly stay on track with my writing. I'm not going to let situations, bordering-on-bully instructors, and myself waver my spirits. Thought right now I have no idea how I am going to get where I need to be, I have faith that things will fall into place, thereby giving me opportunities to make things happen for me.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Dobby is FREE

One of the characters who die in Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows is Dobby the house elf. The Harry Potter audience was first introduced to the lovable elf during the second installment of the series, The Chamber of Secrets. He was still the house elf - more like slave - of the Malfoy family. And though this may be the predicament Dobby is in, he believed in what is right by warning Harry of the dangers he may find himself in if he goes back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy in his second year. It was a risky move, nevertheless, Dobby was only doing what he can do to save a life.

By the end of Chamer of Secrets, Dobby is already a free elf, thanks to harry. From there after, Dobby is forever grateful for Harry's act of kindness.

During the 5 years  Dobby was a free elf, he would now and then turn up to be of help to the young man who gave him freedom. In the film version of Deathly Hallows, we see that Dobby is making the most out of his freedom, even wearing a pair of sneakers (or trainers), as one can see by looking closely at the photo below.


He helped save lives, and if in doing so he lost his own, I say that Dobby had not died in vain. Had he not shown up at Malfoy manor, grave things could have happened and we could have seen the end of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. So I believe that Dobby died a hero.

And I admit, I did get a bit teary-eyed when I watched his death in the film. He was such an adorable little creature and he was killed by a crazy bitch witch in the form of Bellatrix Lestrange.

One may also notice how different Dobby looks in Deathly Hallows. He looks better than he did in Chamber of Secrets. In Deathly Hallows, he looks realistic and almost tangible. Maybe it's the result of how much CGI technology progressed over the years. Or maybe the change in Dobby's appearance can be looked at symbolically: the freedom Dobby enjoyed for five years had an effect on his appearance. He was no longer distraught or punished for missteps he makes as a house elf. He was a happy elf and that showed.

When Dobby died, he definitely died in peace. He did a heroic act before he died by saving Harry Potter and his friends. 

Dobby said it best: "Dobby has  no master! Dobby is a free elf, and Dobby has come to save Harry Potter and his friends!"

From there, Dobby definitely became free.


Friday, November 19, 2010

The End of a Journey... Begins (a review on Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1)

'The Boy Who Lived' remains a symbol for each we are fighting for: the triumph of good, the power of innocence, and the need to keep fighting.

Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows is not like any other Harry Potter films the world has seen. It's the climax of the ultimate battle between good and evil in the wizarding world. With his mentor and possibly the greatest wizard of all Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter must seek the remaining Horcruxes and destroy them in order to defeat Lord Voldemort once and for all. But nowhere is safe. With Voldemort and his Death Eeathers taking over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, nowhere is safe for Harry, Ron, and Hermione.


As a literature major, I was able to appreciate the film's emotional intensity by trying to put myself in the characters' situations. This is what is called "vicarious experience". I felt the pain of Hermione as she was about to leave her family in order to join Harry and Ron in their quest. I felt Ron's frustration and worry towards his family's safety as their chances of finding the rest of the Horcruxes are as good as finding a needle in the haystack. I also felt Harry's lifelong loneliness of not having parents. I never experienced any of Hermione's, Ron's, and Harrry's experiences, but the presentation in the film was so good that I was forced to empathize.

On the other hand, I was sort of able to relate to some scenes, like when Ron's deepest, darkest insecurities taunted him right before he was about to stab the horcrux with the sword of Gryffindor. I also saw a little bit of my personal life during the Ron/Hermione moments. However, if I were to elaborate on these things, I'd do it in another writing.

The mood of the film was, for the majority of it, serious. Deaths occur and the trio have nowhere to go to and no one to turn to without risking that person's life. However, the film has its humor, which is good because if the movie didn't have any humor then it would've been a boring movie. Besides, the humor and the scene where Harry and Hermione share a dance show that at even the darkest of times, one can still choose to be happy.

While I give the film a 9 out of 10, I wish there were some things in the film that should have been elaborated. For instance, the character of the Dursleys didn't come full circle. There was no change from being people who looked at Harry as a waste of space to someone they actually care about. It would've been great if the film showed this change in Dursleys, just saying.

Furthermore, I wish the film had presented more background story of Kreacher and why he comes off as bile and oftentimes mean. If only we had seen what truly happened with Regulus Black and Kreacher when they sought to take the horcrux, then the outcome would've given audiences a better understanding of Kreacher as a character.

If these things had been done, then Deathly Hallows would've been the perfect movie. But then again, as we all know, nothing is perfect.

Part one of Deathly Hallows is done and now we have to wait eight months to get through before THE final Potter movie comes out. The question is: are true-blooded Harry Potter fans ready for the end?




Credit go to the following for the images used in this post:

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Umbridge Strikes Back! (And no, I'm not referring to THE Umbridge)

Life can be strange sometimes. For a moment, it presents you with a problem that you feel you can not conquer, and all you can feel is doom and dread. But then, surprisingly, that problem is lifted off your shoulder and you feel as if you're free for good.

Oh, no. Life's little third act twists come into play and bring back the problem you thought you've gotten rid off.

This is the case when one of SOH's most infamous instructors - let's call her "Dolores Umbridge" - became my instructor in one of my major subjects. I used the word "infamous" because she is known to be as a certain  majors' worst nightmare (I'd like to specify what department of School of Humanities that is, but I would like to keep that one under the rug in case anybody accuses me of anything). She comes across as mean, especially since she is known for humiliating her students in class. Some also say that when things get personal between her and a student, she fails any student who would dare defy her. If what I mentioned make a person a bully, then, yes, I consider her as a bully.

The moment she entered the classroom during the first meeting, dread filled every student in the room. It was like a Dementor entered the room and as though all the happiness in the world was gone. "Why her?" could've crossed a student's mind. As for me, though I did feel the dread, I eventually just told myself to accept the situation for what it was: a challenge to overcome. I tried to keep a strong spirit, but eventually I realized that I don't believe in using intimidation in order to make a student learn. To me, it felt like this instructor had to be respected because she's feared. I'm sorry, but I believe that there must be kindness in teaching. Even if I was only under her class for a few a day, I hardly saw a speck of kindness in her personality.

Fortunately, it turned out that she was only a temporary instructor for that subject. The class was euphoric upon hearing that.

But the celebratory mood was short-lived when we learned she was going to be our permanent instructor in another major subject. Oh, crap, "Dolores Umbridge" is back.

I for one am not so happy at this news. I thought we were all free from "Dolores Umbridge". Then again, maybe this is a challenge I'm just going to have to face. I once read a quote that says "When life puts you in tough situations, don't say 'why me?' Just say 'try me.'"

Well, you know what? In the words of Barney Stinson: CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.

And come to think of it, "Dolores Umbridge" isn't the only mean-spirited person I will meet in my life. I mean, what if I end up having a boss who is just like "Dolores Umbridge"? So I might as well get used to facing "superiors from hell" and know that at the end of it all, I'm going to be all right.

Friday, November 12, 2010

The Bully, The Bullied, and The Bystander

Bullying is a growing social problem that needs to be addressed, and more importantly, stopped. Although it's a been around for as long as anyone can remember, it's only when the tragic deaths of a few gay teens that made headlines in the US did people start taking the situation seriously. It took tragedy for the world to truly notice what bullying can lead to.

I myself have been bullied as a kid. During first grade there was this one girl who would always make me cry in class. Here I am, 12 years later, and I can't really remember why she bullied me. I don't think I ever purposely did anything mean to her that would make her hate me. She probably didn't like me even if I was just being myself. There was even a time she punched me in the face. Literally. I didn't even do anything to her - I never humiliated her, took anything from her, or intentionally hurt her. I was the quiet, new kid in class who may have come off as "strange" because I didn't go about the way the other did. I never talked smack about anyone. And I was kind enough to lend my things to some of my classmates, but they would either not give it back or if they do give it back, my things would be in poor condition. (Keep in mind, we were all first graders.)

Most of the time I didn't feel accepted or liked. I didn't have people to hang out with long enough for me to consider them my friends. As early as seven years old I was already made to feel like an outcast. There were event times when I didn't want to go to school so that I wouldn't have to face my oppressors.

So the following school year my parents transferred me to a different school. From there, things started getting easier. But, at first, things were slightly tough for me. During the first few days I didn't feel so welcome, but eventually I found friends, some of whom I still keep in touch with.

You might be wondering: since I was bullied, did I ever bully another student? In retrospect, I did. But I wasn't the kind who would steal lunch money or push kids around. I did call names, though, like "freak" or "loser" and once made a girl cry. These count as thing in life that I am not proud of. I was young and a but ignorant. Now that I am older and know better, I do not encourage kids who were once bullied to become bullies themselves. Bullying another person is not the way to move and forget the hell you've been through.

In the paradigm of bullying, there are three sets of people involved: the bullied, the bully, and the bystander. I've been the bullied for a year, the bully on few occasions, and of course,the bystander for as long as I can remember.

Bystanders are those who just stand and watch - either in indifference or out of fear - as a bully makes someone's life a living hell. They don't gather the courage to tell a bully to stop or come to the aid of the bullied when he or she feels miserable. Bystanders usually don't care or maybe they do, but their train of thought says "It's none of my business anyway."

As much as I'd love to encourage bystanders to stand up against bullies, I believe that I do not have the credibility to do so. I would be a hypocrite of I myself turn a blind eye when a bully is on a rampage.

What I will encourage, though, is kindness. No matter how different your peer is from you - whether in terms of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, faith, economic status, or whatever - they deserve to be treated with kindness and love.

People have wasted too much time focusing on how they differ instead of seeing how they are alike and what they have in common: the ability to love. And I believe that now, more than ever, we should work on that ability.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

The "After Graduation" Formulation

Read every book in my personal library.

That's something you don't hear very often when asking a college student what he or she plans to do after graduation. In my case, that's what I see myself doing, at least for some time.

After I graduate, I want to take some time off to try to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life. Writing is amazing, but as of late, I need a back-up plan. So, after graduation from college, I'll do some writing that will hopefully be published next time, write some articles for a company maybe (I'll work from home, perhaps), and most of all, take some time to read the books I have shelved in my library.

College is four years of assignments, tests, lectures, unpredictable instructors, term papers, etc. and sometimes it's difficult finding time for yourself. When I graduate I'll go out to do things that I dream of doing while I still have the energy to do them.

I want to avoid becoming one of those people who work and work, but never find the time to enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Maybe this is my Road Not Taken. Maybe this is how my life is supposed to turn out. But if things will have to go my way, then I'll make everything I said happen.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Let's Get Physical

There's a buzz going around our class about going to the gym. Now, I don't really know if I should be joining in on that bandwagon. 

Then again, I really want to give this whole gym thing a try, out of my need to attain the kind of body that I desire.

I look at people like Heather Morris or Aly Michalka and instantly, I want their toned arms and rock-hard abs. I probably seem vain by admitting that I want to go to the gym just so m body would fit my idea of a perfect body. That is a little true.


But another reason I have for wanting to go through this "gym bandwagon" is my want - and need - to stay fit. In all honesty, this is only secondary reason. 

There are things holding me back, though. First of all, the money I would spend is not money I personally earn. I know that money in this family is a little tight, even if my parents don't say it. So, I wouldn't want to casually spend their money when fact of the matter is, it can be spent on more things. And wouldn't it be more fulfilling if the money I spend in paying for gym services is money I earned? When I do start earning my own dough, then I can probably start spending them on things I want for myself.

Secondly, there's an issue with time. I'm not exactly the Michael Phelps or LeBron James of Time Management, but how do I squeeze in time for the gym between school, eating, reading, sleeping, writing, and slacking off now and then?

Maybe time and money wouldn't be a big deal. I'll probably do this whole gym thing and in doing so, it's a win-win situation: I get the body of my deepest desires and I get to spend time with some friends while I'm at it.

Friday, November 5, 2010

So here's what you missed...

(Imagine that voice over guy from Glee while reading this blog)

The first week of second semester, and though it's only been three days, I'm already feeling haggard. First of all, the "legendary" Ms. Castro is my instructor in Enlg15b (Editing, Copyreading, and News Production) and I swear, almost everybody in class is watching his or her every step (including me). She's known for being a source of fear intimidation among students from the School of Humanities, especially Mass Communication students. I can sort of see why they fear her, but I think I can handle her. Wish me luck on that.

Also, American Literature class, like English Literature, demands in me a great deal of knowing a lot about the history of USA. Darn, there's so much reading for me to do that I'm quite surprised I don't wear spectacles yet.

Then there's Drama class (which doesn't really demand any acting skill, rather analytical skills) wherein I think I'll have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome from all the lecture. Our instructor, Sir Laoyan, is known for his lengthy notes-giving... that are dictated. I'll probably need another notebook before the semester is even over. 

With all these reading and whatnot for all of my classes, I'm going to have to do a lot of consulting over at SparkNotes and printing/photocopying of notes. Thank goodness for the boom of the internet as a source of academics, otherwise I'd probably be attached to another object by an inclined plane, wrapped helically around an axis (something I picked up from The Big Bang Theory). In other words, I'd be screwed.

Anyway, there are also a bunch of other things going on, but I'm just going to have to put them in other blog posts.

PS: It's a weekend, yet I'm online copying Spark Notes analyses on our assigned readings for Drama class.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Lost in a Symbol

Today's a fine Monday on the first day of November. The weather is not intolerably hot nor is it cold enough to make you feel sleepy. Yet, I actually still feel sleepy despite the eight hours of sleep I had last night. My sleepiness is brought on by my late night reading of the novel The Lost Symbol.

I am a fan of Dan Brown's writing, as proven by my good impression of his latest work. Symbols, suspense, mysticism, history, etc. all come together in this compelling novel. It's one of those books I don't want to put down but would have to because there are other things that I need to attend to.

But I guess that my want to read more and more of the book is a good thing. It means that the book was so well-written that I could not get enough of it.

IMAGE SOURCE

Sunday, October 31, 2010

"Miracles"



This mash-up is going viral on Tumblr, and out of curiosity I listened to it. And I have to say, it's an amazing mash-up of the following songs:

1. Bruno Mars — Just The Way You Are
2. B.O.B. feat. Bruno Mars — Nothing On You
3. Gnarls Barkley — Crazy
4. Britney Spears — Hit Me, Baby, One More Time
5. Jason Derulo — In My Head
6. Justin Timberlake — My Love
7. Lady Gaga — Just Dance
8. Leona Lewis — Bleeding Love
9. Ne-Yo — So Sick
10. Michael Jackson — Black Or White
11. Snoop Dogg — Sexual Eruption
12. Survivor — Eye Of The Tiger
13. Taylor Swift — Fifteen
14. Taylor Swift — Fearless
15. Savage Garden — The Animal Song
16. Snoop Dogg feat. Justin Timberlake — Signs

Whoever made this mash-up is nothing short of genius. I applaud that person.

Creativity: Not Meant to be Forced

These past nights I've been forcing myself to get my writing creativity going now that I am working on my essay compilation (watch out, world). 

Well, that turned out to be a bad idea since art mustn't be forced. Besides, if truth be told, I honestly have nothing to write about. On the other hand, I do have a lot to read. A LOT. And so I figured I'd just read and read while I have nothing to write and write. There are only a few days left in my sem break so I may as well spend my free time reading.

Come second semester I'll have plenty to write about. I'm pretty sure there will be plenty for me write about anyway. New, possibly memorable, experiences will inevitably come and I'm going to have to write about them. In the meantime, I'll just read about Robert Langdon, English literature, and whatever tickles my reading fancy.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Giving a Soldier The Finger is NOT Cool

Boys and girls, giving someone the finger is not cool. What's even more uncool is giving the finger to strangers while riding on a moving vehicle... and being caught by an enraged military man.

That's the unfortunate fate of two juvenile boys sitting across each other at the jeepney (one of whom was seated next to me) this afternoon. Like most boys their age, these two felt like fooling around. Their choice of stupid gimmick: giving the finger to while the jeepney strode past La Trinidad. And then unexpectedly, when one of the passengers got off the jeep, an enraged military man confronted the two young boys. He angrily asked the two of they thought it was okay or cool to give the finger as if the act was not going to offend anyone. Did they think that by raising the finger they were above everyone else? 

The wrath of the soldier frightened me a little, I must admit, but I'm on his side. Giving someone the finger is a juvenile, offensive (that goes without saying) act, and those two kids should know just that. I get the solider's point of feeling offended - he even said something about how he came all the way from Mindanao (it's a place in the Philippines where it's almost like Iraq or Afghanistan, i.e. almost a war zone with the clashes of extreme leftists and the army) and then he gets here only to be given the finger to. By the sound of that, the solider (and any soldier for that matter) was not to be messed with. The last thing the soldier said could have made the two young boys wet or crap their pants: that the soldier could easily kill them (savagely) if they ever do again what they were doing.

Personally, I don't blame the soldier for feeling enraged. I mean, here are two young kids giving an obscene gesture to strangers - who are teaching these kids what's right and wrong? It's unbelievable how young kids are exposed to such obscenity and nobody tells them to stop or to not ever do it again.

Monday, October 25, 2010

Stories of The Semester: Being a Part of Something... Doesn't Always Have Feel-Good Times

For the first time since my senior year in high school I am part of a school publication. The only difference is there's a LOT more pressure I feel now than I did three years ago.

The story starts out with a spontaneous idea to try out as a staff writer after I heard about the screening for our college publication. I went in, did some writing, and tried not to keep my hopes up. A few weeks later I received a text message that said I made it as a staff writer. The excitement upon reading the message is one of the highlights of my year. I was excited about the idea of writing articles, getting to work with other talented campus journalists, etc.

But I didn't count on one important variable: the seriousness involved when it comes to business. And business requires a lot of hard work and commitment, a couple of things that aren't exactly my forte. As a result, I was so overwhelmed when I couldn't handle some of the things that were my responsibility. There were even these incidents where I said I would attend an event, but I wouldn't show up because I'm either too lazy or I got something else going on, like school work. Long story short, I probably pissed off some people along the way.

I acknowledge my irresponsibility in both incidents and from now I will avoid a "three-peat" of disappointment and irresponsibility. I now realize that I am an adult whose actions have consequences. In the real world, my actions would have cost me my job so I ought to avoid travelling the road of Laziness.

My future in the publication looks a little bleak, after those incidents. But I shouldn't worry so much about it, though. Whatever happens, happens... and I'll just have to meet with it when it does.

Stories of The Semester: Engl14 - Principles and Procedures of Parliamentary

This subject is quite an interesting one. Prior to the start of the semester I was a bit curious as to what goes on in this subject. I figured a little that some debating is involved, so I was excited at the thought.

But came the actual time of the subject, as the semester started. Yes, Parliamentary Procedure involved debates, but not entirely. Parliamentary Procedure applies to government proceeding, company meetings, etc. It was a technical subject with so much rules that I personally didn't want to keep up with.

Another reason why I probably didn't enjoy the subject that much is the amount of group work that was a "make or break" when it came to my grades. I'm not usually excited when it comes to group work. A group is only as strong as its weakest member and that was a little bit the case in the group I was in. Some members lacked initiative and depended on the people known to be "the responsible ones."

But we managed to pull off some team work when our determination to pass the course kicked in. Eventually I learned to take it easy and keep the faith that I'm going to pass the subject.

As for now, though, I'm glad the semester's over and that I've gotten away from the course.Oh, let's just say that Parliamentary Procedure just isn't my "thing."

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Stories of The Semester: Engl12 - English Literature

My passion - well, ardent interest - in literature is one of the reasons I took up English a a course. As a writer, I believe that my knowledge on literature helps me with my craft. I also figure that if I ever end up in the field of education I would educate people with literature. So it's pretty obvious that this is the subject I really cared about. It's the subject I wanted to be the best at. I read most, if not all, the reading assignments; I worked my ass off when it came to group reports as well.

While my prelim and midterm grades were both below my expectations, I didn't let that fact get to me. Even if I didn't have the best marks in class, I didn't lament over it because I was having fun as I learned tons about English Literature (even English History). This semester I learned how to stop being a grade-conscious student. I just wanted to be happy because I was gaining knowledge. Even if the semester is over, I'm actually doing some reading of works of authors we didn't discuss during the fleeting time we had in class.  believe that's a good thing - me doing some reading on my own because I want to satisfy my hunger for learning... and wow, am I nerd!?

But I don't that the time I had in this class is comparable to a trip in Disneyland. I had my fair share of shortcomings, like the time I did a report on the Romantic Period. Prior to my report, I had a bumming day. Before the day of my report I disappointed the people at our college publication because I failed to show up at this important event. They were mad and disappointed at me, and so was I. I was mad and disappointed at myself for the way things turned out. So I was out of my element during the next day - somber mood and a tough time concentrating on what needs my attention.

I ended up lacking information in my report. It was short and as mediocre as Kristen Stewart's acting in the Twilight movies. (Hold your fire. I like K-Stew... not just as Bella. I do despise Twilight, though.) When my classmates or instructor would ask a question, I would give dull, almost incoherent answers. I seriously was on the verge of tears, with the dead air and the look on my instructor's face (she almost looked as if she just wanted to shoot me for looking like a dumbass). As I stood in front of everyone, I waited for a black hole to eat me up. But that didn't happen so I just had to take in the humiliation. I, a supposed 'best' in class, stood there like a blundering idiot. The only thing to do was to just let it be.

After that day I just simply kept moving forward and not let what happened mess with my mind. I kept intact my interest in the subject and my goals in front of me. That's the thing about life - even if you trip and fall or slip and land on your behind, you always have to get back up. 

True grace is not avoiding the fall, it's getting back up after the fall.


Reading, reading, reading!

Maybe the reason why I have nothing to write about is the fact that I have no personal experience to write about... at least, nothing that's new.

Reading - that's something I've been doing a lot lately.Reading, reading, reading. There's just so much for me to read and I sometimes feel like I don't have enough time in the world (which is completely illogical because the key problem and - ironically - solution is time management).

Maybe one of the reasons why I feel like I don't have adequate time to read is that I put so much on my plate.

Ah, I guess I just have to find fun and happiness in what I do. I suppose I just need to relax - I don't do that enough. Almost everything I do must be planned out, or made into some form of routine, or patterned. I lack a spontaneous element in my personality. Maybe I ought to change that.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Glee and WWE Divas - A Weird Juxtaposition, But Hear Me Out

I'm not usually someone who jumps in the bandwagon of controversies, but I have something to say regarding the Glee/GQ spread controversy. For those that don't know, controversy sparked when concerned parents were outraged by the photos of three cast members of the hit show "Glee" for men's magazine GQ. These parents described the photos as "bordering on pedophilia" and I think I heard somewhere that they called the photos almost pornographic. On their defense, the stars, GQ magazine, and other celebrities say that they're old enough to do the shoot and that parents have the responsibility to shield their children from such "adult" material.



Let me just say: why are parents so shocked at these actors for doing the photoshoot? People like Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Madonna, Lady Gaga - these are also public figures that children look up to and these women have had their share of pushing the envelope of their creativity, even if that means posing for a magazine in a "racy" shoot.  It's not the first time that something like this has happened. Remember Britney's first cover on Rolling Stone magazine? She was hardly 21 back then, contrary to Lea Michele and Dianna Agron (the "Glee" stars on the mag) who are about 24 or 25.

And some might point out that the shoot is too much because "Glee" is a family show. Kids of all ages watch the show with their parents. Well, the same thing can be said with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Kids of all ages watch it, and from time to time they watch it with their parents. And stars from the WWE, specifically called WWE Divas, do plenty of photoshoots similar to the single photoshoot the "Glee" stars did for GQ. WWE Divas do racy photoshoots in bikinis, lingerie, their in-ring attire. Heck, a few of these Divas have even gone as far posing nude for Playboy magazine.




You might wonder what's the point of my Glee-WWE comparison. Well, the point is that WWE is a show watched by millions of kids maybe as much as Glee is watched by millions of kids. Glee does one sexy photoshoot and immediately a flood of criticism comes through. WWE has done probably hundreds of sexy photoshoots through the years and yet we don't go off about how our children shouldn't see such pictures. 

If you ask me who's side I'm on, I'm not on the parents side. Instead of them putting the blame on GQ and Fox and the actors or whoever, why don't they just focus on teaching their children responsibility on these kinds of things? Why don't they have a talk with their child about how the pictures are not meant for them, but maybe for older people? 

I've seen the other pictures from the said shoot, and it's my honest opinion to say that they're not that racy. And if I were in either Dianna or Lea's place, I would jump at the opportunity to do the shoot. They're young, they're in good shape, and it's not such a bad thing to explore your sexuality a little.

But just like everything else in the world of showbiz, I'm pretty sure this issue will die down the moment another scandal comes along. It's that vicious cycle of building something up and tearing it down once we're bored of it.

Stories of The Semester: Anthro 3 - Cultural Anthropology

The thing that stands out the most from my memories from this class is the almost-12-hours-or-more my group mates and I spent finishing our term paper. We spend almost the entire day at my friend Ruth's boarding house until we had to spend the night at my house. We finished at around 5 or 6 a.m. the following day. During the classes we had for that Monday we were so stressed and sleepily that people were so concerned about us and we could hardly pay attention to what was going on in our classes.

That day - the memory of it - stands out to me because it's the first time I ever worked so hard for something school-related. This experience was a reality check for me that when the time comes I really have to step up my game when it comes to my academics.

And as for the subject itself, I guess I can say that I liked it. I didn't loathe or dread it, but it's not exactly my absolutely favorite subject. If I were to describe the subject in one word, it would be "interesting." I can definitely say that I know more about culture now than I did back then.

But above all, I now know that every time there's a major requirement to attend to then I always, always need to bring my A game.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Stories of The Semester: Socio4 - Dynamics of Marriage and Family Life

This is a class where I didn't think to myself "how does this apply to my life?" every time I sat down in class. As one can infer from the descriptive title, the subject is absolutely helpful to future parents and spouses.

But throughout the subject I would now and then wonder to myself if the whole "marriage and family" thing is something I see in my future. I thought to myself whether I really want the path almost everybody else takes. Somehow I  don't see myself being someone's wife or mom. Then again, maybe it's too early for me to give up on the idea of marriage and family life. Life has too many tricks up its sleeves.

If ever I do wind up getting married and having children, I'll take what I learned from my Socio4 class, though it doesn't have all the answers.

As a last thought, Socio4 is definitely a helpful class. I had some fun times during my stay, and I must say that it was not a waste of my time.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Stories of The Semester: Engl26 - Teaching English as Second Language

Prior to the start of the semester I didn't quite know what to expect from the subject except that it's leaning more towards Education rather than English. In other words, it's nothing like most of the English subjects I actually enjoy - like literature. 

This subject isn't one of my favorites. Don't get me wrong, though, I didn't loathe it. But I wasn't exactly chuffed to bits whenever I attended classes.

Maybe the reason why I didn't get to appreciate this class very much is my is my lack of passion, or desire, for teaching. I'm not saying I don't ever want to be teacher, but if ever I do take that path I would want to teach literature rather than teach language. I think I'd have more credibility teaching literature because it's something I actually care about.

But I digress.

There's nothing I can think of that is memorable from my time in this class other than my realization that teaching is definitely my last resort as a career.

I'm just glad I got through this class and I won't ever have to go through it again.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Stories of The Semester: Engl17 - Children's Literature and Story Telling

The words "every rose has its thorn" applies to this subject. While I wanted to enjoy a subject that seemed highly interesting, I couldn't do that with an instructor who has awful teaching strategies.

Allow me to paint a picture of how ninety-five percent of the class went this past semester: she (our instructor) required us a book, divided us into groups during prelims, midterms, and finals and asked us to report on a topic found in the book. She would give us quizzes and she wouldn't return our papers as soon as she finished grading them. We would go through each term almost clueless of our academic progress.

By the time midterms came, through the initiative of a brave student, we signed a petition letting the Dean of the School of Humanities become aware of our classroom situation. We had enough of our instructor's absence, unprofessional utterances towards some students, lack of actual teaching, habit of asking our Korean classmates to express themselves in their native tongue and having another Korean student translate for the rest of the class (an insult, I must say, since these Koreans come to the Philippines to learn English), and so much more. There was also this incident where she failed to show up on the scheduled date for the midterm exams.

Thankfully, though, our voices were heard by the Dean and during the last three weeks of the semester, our instructor was replaced by one of the finest teachers in the English Department. For three weeks I didn't find Children's Literature to be wasteland.

While some students were jubilant that our original instructor was asked to step down, some students didn't feel so good, knowing that that instructor was a working mom with two daughters in college and a rumored estranged husband. Now,you may call me mean or heartless, but she had it coming. Her home life does not excuse her lack of professionalism and poor teaching.

I also hear that she's holding a grudge against our class because she think it's our fault she's where she's at right now. But things happen for a reason, even the bad ones. She blames us, but has she blamed herself too? It sucks to be in her place right now, but what she needs to do is rise from her ashes brought by this debacle. Let this experience be a lesson to her.

And let this also be a lesson to any student bullied by a teacher: don't be afraid to stand up against your tyrant. Don't be afraid that standing up for yourself will affect your academics because the teacher might take revenge against you by failing you. It's about standing for what's right. It's about standing up for yourself.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Stories of The Semester: Engl15a - Fundamentals of Journalism/Newswriting

This past semester was one hell of a ride, and I don't think one blog post is enough for me to tell it all. Every subject I took had its unique stories, so I'm writing stories from each subject, and I'll then write "miscellaneous" stories from the semester. During school days I didn't get to blog much, and to be quite honest I wasn't quite feeling the motivation to blog because of how busy I was. So here it is, a sort of summary of my thoughts and experiences in my Journalism/Newswriting class.

Prior to the start of the semester, I was looking forward to this subject. Finally, a subject that could sharpen my harpoon of writing. I thought that with this subject I could break out of my box as a features writer and try out other forms of writing. Through this subject my skills could be enhanced so that I could consider a career in journalism. And maybe I could also apply in my blogging what I learn from this subject .

The semester is over and I can now honestly say that MY EXPECTATIONS WERE NOT MET. I'm a little bit disappointed (an understatement) at how things turned out.

I wish we did more application of newswriting and less discussions for a whole period (an hour). But what's done is done, and that wish  is far from being granted. All I can do now is take what I did learn and apply that to my writing. And maybe there are some things I have to learn myself.

Saturday, October 16, 2010

GLEE Hits a Serious Note with "Grilled Cheesus"

The "Grilled Cheesus" episode of Glee got me to reflect on life and the concept of God and faith. Most people know me as an agnostic, but lately I've warmed up to the idea of there being a higher power, one that is too great for me to fathom. I realized that life has too many ineffable events and us human beings will not always be able explain them. I acknowledge the existence of a being that is too great for any one of us to describe with certainty.

I no longer object to the concept of a deity. I am just appalled by the self-righteous organized system of belief and its double standards, their "you're with us or against us" mindset. If my disgust towards religion is arrogant, then that's fine by me. I'm as arrogant as the people who condemn those who don't believe in God the way the former do. They're the same people who refuse to meet reality halfway with their outdated - not to mention narrow-minded - way of thinking, the same people who say you are doomed for eternity if you don't conform to what they say.

Should I believe in a God whose followers insist on discriminating against people because of their sexuality or their way of thinking that leans a little more towards science? I would rather believe in a God that knows no sexuality and forgives all sins. I would rather believe in a God who is more pleased when his followers help the poor or take care of the Earth and the ones that live in it rather than spending an hour in a scripted ritual that has been done for millenia.

I may not believe in the God that Catholics talk about, but I believe in the goodness of man. I believe in love. And maybe these things came from a being greater than all of us.

Now, if you haven't scene the episode I am referring to in this blog, check out this YouTube video I found. Maybe after watching these scenes, Christians will be more respectful towards atheists and agnostics.



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