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Random Fact 01. I’m an Adarna kid.

So when I saw that Adarna was asking for book reviews for their site, I jumped at the opportunity. I’m so glad that Adarna House finally posted this! I sent them my book review of “Chenelyn! Chenelyn!” a few weeks ago, back when I was looking for writing opportunities. In turn, I’ll be receiving two free storybooks of my siblings’ choice soon, “Xilef” and “Si Ching na Takot sa Dilim”. 

One Rainy Day

Dancing in the rain – figuratively.

It was 5:30 or so when I woke up. My sore body tightly pressed with that of my grandmother’s tried to move about, but the cramped bed gave no opportunity for that luxury. Alas, I remembered that I squeezed myself onto her bed last night because mosquitoes were troubling the hell out of my body during the wee hours last night. And so I had no other choice but to open my almost tightly-glued eyes and let out a polite smile.

Last night, my younger brother crafted a well-detailed plan of our itinerary for today. By no means was it a grand plan; I mean, we were only going to Circle and Ninoy Aquino Wildlife Center (because apparently, my bro and sis want to see birds and snakes and whatchamacallit, though even I wonder if there are such animals there). Still, I agreed because for one, I cannot concoct a better plan, being the lousy and lazy planner that I am. Also, I can feel my past self mocking me – imagine, I haven’t been to that Wildlife Center though I’ve been practically passing on that way for almost the entirety of High School.

I looked out the window. The sky looked lonely, the clouds rather gloomy. At once I knew the inevitable – the impending rain that was about to ruin our day. And my verdict didn’t fail me (like duh, how stupid can you get if you can’t even get that prediction right). So, three hours later, I saw myself walking along puddles of rain in Circle with my family. I was about to mock myself again for betraying my sound judgment, but I guess, it is what it is, right? The spontaneity, the joys of doing something silly, the mere act of waking up early. I guess the third one is an achievement in itself already.

We roamed around, seeing aerobic dancers trying to burn their belly fat off, tianggevendors and random people (probably as bored as we were) along the way. After a few minutes of aimless wandering, we somehow found ourselves in front of the entrance of Quezon Memorial Shrine Museum in the pylon (or better put, the distinguishable cream-colored tower in Circle).

Finally, something new and interesting. I mean, I must admit that I did not even know that there was a museum there. I only knew that late President Manuel Quezon’s tomb rests in that tower.

Glad to let you know that I was not disappointed. Granted, many of the items there are the common ones regularly seen in museums, such as hats and guns, but we’ve got to look beyond the surface, right? Also, I did see some interesting finds, like the manicure set of President Quezon’s wife, Aurora Aragon, as well as various sheet music for songs venerating the late president. (I’ve been learning how to play the piano for the past few weeks, so you can only imagine how interesting those things were for me.)

Among the items in that room, though, something particularly caught my attention – a framed poster of the Manuel L. Quezon’s words of wisdom. He had something to say about different things conveniently grouped in that poster, such as the Youth, Moral Uprightness, Education, and so on. Among those topics, something stood out for me. I even copied it for future reference. Here it goes:

CHARACTER

“One may be the greatest scientist the bravest general or the most invincible conqueror, but if he is a cheat and a liar, he is worse than a dog. It is not a man’s position in life or  his accomplishment that counts, but the moral stamina he mobilizes to uphold good and defeat evil.”

My siblings, being such noisy children, were not able to stay there for long so we decided to leave the items in peace before my bro and sis make another scandal (believe me, they’re notorious for that). Before leaving, we saw the tomb of Manuel L. Quezon as well as his wife’s (rests on the side). And we learned a few tidbits too! Apparently, the tower stands 66 meters from the base of stairs to the top because Quezon lived for 66 years. And the distinct three-winged angels on the tip of the tower that I often see on my way to Pisay represent Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

We barely lasted for three hours in Circle because my siblings were really, really hyper. But that’s okay, really. I stepped into our car with fresh buko juice on one hand and a cup full of chicken skin (delicious, but gosh, full of cholesterol) on the other. I was satisfied− no, maybe happy even. 

Indeed, what seemed to be an inauspicious day for going out turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable treat for our family. XD

Hello, grown-up world.

The last time I came over to perform in Falcon, I wasn’t the oldest yet. But this time I was the senior. Ang bilis pala talaga ng panahon at di ko namalayan, it was now my turn to be the ate in the group. Parang feeling ko, terminating point na talaga ‘to ng childhood ko and starting point sa grown-up world. Yikes.

I met many people there. One was a Kisay girl, the other was an Ateneo dude who’s about to enter Pisay this year. When I learned that, nostalgia just kicked in. I wanted to tell him a million of things, the greatness of the institution, the plethora of wonderful things he’s about to experience. But I guess it’s better to let him see that for himself. I wanted to reach out more and know the little kids in the bunch as well, but I guess one can only do so much in one night. It didn’t help that I didn’t know their whole names either. But I was glad to have been part of this batch, if only for a little while. So to all of you, thanks for the amazing night. :)

P.S. I wrote something short before leaving the house last night. Hope you like it :D

________________________________________

Performing is a bit− no, very much− like bungee jumping. Every time you walk towards the big, scary stage, you also walk towards the edge of reason, endangering a part of yourself that treats every kind of rush as foreign and possibly dangerous material. If you are part of the overwhelming majority who finds comfort in the familiar and tried-and-tested, you would probably skip this one and do something more foolproof instead, like reading a good book at home or having nice, clean fun with your friends. But once in a while, you find the urge to express − to share whatever it is that you’ve been hiding in your sleeve for too long. Like juggling saucers and sneakers (uh-oh). Or streetdancing. Or creating music-to-die-for using, guess what, leaves!

It is not always easy to let go of inhibitions if you’ve never tried performing before. Yet the other side of the coin introduces an initially scary yet ultimately exciting opportunity − to show the world, to face it all, to grow. 

Admittedly, our abilities are not always in the performing sector. Still, it’s best that we stand up and improve our craft by sharing our gifts, whether it is teaching kids, fixing leaky faucets or even building robots.  But even more important than being in our element is using our gifts for a higher cause. 

If it has been a while since your heart throbbed as if an inch away from death, then you probably need to do something to feel more alive. No, not weed. Not talking about alcohol either. Talking about something constructive, like improving something. Or helping. Or creating something out of nothing. Music, good ideas or art, take your pick! It could be anything, really.

Meanwhile, I probably need to get dressed now. 4:53! Off to Falcon. :D

random thoughts that I'd like to get out of my head

* People I like (or used to like, anyway), I don't have any decent picture with. So sad, right? :)) Ayy no. Turns out I have a lot of decent ones. Like the one with Bronze :))

* I write to remember; I write to forget. Haha, I like it. So poetic.

* Something revolutionary must happen before my summer ends. Like, something life-changing. Cliff-diving. Meeting my soulmate. Learning how to ride a bike. Yeah, I'm that pathetic :))

* I think I finally know what my end goal is. I just don't know how (or where) to get started.

* A pretty decoupage from Papemelroti sits on the left corner of my desk. It says, "Follow your heart." And it's like everyday mockery. That's how it seems for now, at least. Seeing that the path I'm taking may not be what I completely, whole-heartedly intended for myself. But I'll manage for sure. Maybe.

* I'm happy I'm updating this blog.

* I watched Mona Lisa Smile two days ago. I'm 1) thankful I've been movie-scavenging these past few weeks and 2) wondering why I didn't watch this movie in my early teenage years.

* I'm happy I'm fulfilling what could have been a lifelong frustration and obsession -- learning how to play the piano. It's fun! I'm glad I'm doing it.

* My friends know that I'm fond of lists. So here.
GOALS! (They need to be listed down and concretized :-j On virtual paper at least.)
     a) become a self-sufficient, independent woman by age ___ (uhh, I still don't know :)) )
     b) reduce my tactlessness when I'm with friends (and some strangers) I seem to do it subconsciously
     ehh.
     c) reduce my uptightness when I'm with strangers (and some friends) Repeat comment above :))
     d) write something really, really nice and have it published somewhere. Like a novel, or a children's book
     or an article in the newspaper
     e) avoid seducing men (and women) into theft by taking good care of my stuff from now on. Excuse the
     term :)) I just found the word play amusing      f) make a conscious effort to keep in touch with my
     friends in UPD. It's kinda hard though, 'cause sometimes I feel I'm annoying people when I talk to them out-of-the-blue after a long, long time

* I just figured now that I like making lists because I forget and lose practically everything-- pens, folders,
events and lots of good thoughts.

* So here. Another list: VIRTUAL THINGS I FIND COOL NOW
     a) Amanda's blog
     b) Valerie Chua's blog
     c) Paul Diaz' blog
     d) Divine Lee's blog (lots of blogs!)
     e) Cza's blog
     e) Regina Spektor's songs. Like, all of them! I kept on playing The Wallet after the grad ball :>
     f)                                     --> I guess I'm gonna leave space for other cool things to come :D

That's it for now, I guess. More random thoughts (and rants and posts) to go in the coming days. :)

breaking the hiatus

I've figured that the law of inertia doesn't leave me alone even in the least unlikely of all places -- the world of writing. And what a real disappointment.

I've called that world my home for as long as I could remember. The only place where I can let go of my inhibitions, the place where I can really, really be myself. But for a while I got dismayed when I found out that I wasn't entirely alone in that world. That prying eyes have been lurking around, maliciously taking a peek in the world I've created for myself.

I found it hard to write again. I asked myself, "Why do it anyway, when you know that the things you write may be used against you?" It's really hard, especially when you feel like you are guarded 24/7, your things snooped on when some people think you're not looking.

Now that I'm trying to write again, it doesn't come as easily as it did before. It requires extra push, or in Physics, a significant amount of net force to get the ball rolling again.

I know what I want, and it surely does not involve this, okay? I want to be free. I want to have some place of my own, even if it is only imaginary. I want space, I want autonomy.I want things I think I deserve.

On a more positive note, I think I'll try to write again! Many things in my life are gonna change soon and I want writing to be the constant (hopefully not the sole constant). :D