The downside of being 'too formal'

When you are too formal and you write thinking about what others would say about your writing, you end up not to writing at all. In this case, NOT blogging.

This has to change.

This is probably why I have not been blogging as much as I want to. Haha! Medyo perfectionist.

So, here I am taking to myself:

Bear in mind that this is YOUR space. You are free to blog about whatever. You need not be formal. You write what you wish to write, what you feel, or what you think.

This is your space, self.

Kaya mo nga magpost sa FB, Twitter etc. People are harsher there. This blog is your safe space.

Blog as often as you want.

Deal?

DEAL!

Cobra Kai and holding grudges

If there's something I learned from Cobra Kai, it's that we should avoid holding grudges. Holding a grudge, that lifetime resentment of yours, would not do anyone any good. It affects everyone around you--your family, your friends, and even the community.

Well, yes, it's just a television show, but the parallelisms in the real world is glaring.

It happens.

Art imitates life.

We hold grudges. Most people do. It's probably human nature. And more often than not, it's petty.

Imagine if people would just listen to what the other has to say. Talk to and with each other. Imagine if Daniel and Johnny just talked and listened, their rivalry would have not escalated like it did. Imagine if people STOPPED assuming like they know everything or what everyone's going through, we would probably be living in a more peaceful world.

Just imagine.

Change.

Think about it. Is change an individual effort that we should "change from within"? Or, are we the type of people driven by our leaders, our society, our culture? Is change, considering these factors of leadership, society and culture, a collective effort? Should we be willing to change ourselves or should there be a driving force for us to change? Or, both?

They say, real change starts from within. Does it, really? Do we simply decide that we change for the better? Or, do we decide to change because it's what our leaders, our society, and culture demand from us? Or, is it simply demanded by these changing times? 

Do we drive change? Or, are we driven by change? Are we the type of people who choose to follow? Or, are we a society of leaders? Are Filipinos the "change from within" type of people? Or, are we "leadership by example" kind of people? Do we follow our leaders because we want to? Or, do we follow our leaders because we need to? Want, need, or both?

Change, change, change.

"We want change." The most overused "battle cry" during elections.

Change. What is it, really? From whom? For whom?

The Buzzing Bees!

Oh, just some random thoughts on Philippine politics and current events.

On "truths", the rule of law & the accused.

+ Bombard people with unbelievable figures, some, especially the noisy ones, will accept the figures and the implications as truthful facts. So, next time you go accuse someone of corruption or wrongdoing, make sure the amount/accusation is so shocking and unbelievable that it would make people believe it. Shock makes unbelievable facts as truths. The more shocking it is, the truer it becomes. So, yeah. Let's all ignore the law and the rights of the accused 'cause you know, what they allegedly did was soooo shocking and horrifying that not believing it is never an option. In the Philippines, being accused of something is the worst thing that could ever happen to you. Accusation has become proof. Thus, accusation means your guilty. Sad reality. Exaggerated? Oh, yes. Still, reality.

On "Panama Papers", the Yellow Media & Journalism

+ "Using information/documentation unlawfully obtained is a crime."

Ah, the media does not care. Not many people actually care. It's been decided by the media: the goal is to paint all world leaders on the list as corrupt at all cost. The rule of law is inferior to their truth. The assumption is all global leaders on the list are corrupt. The non-global leaders are tax evaders. All these assumptions even when the list does not actually say they are.

So much for fair and balanced media.

+ In the Philippines, tax avoidance and tax evasion are not synonymous. Tax avoidance is legal. Tax evasion is illegal.

+ Lionel Messi and Jackie Chan are on the list. I dare you to call them tax evaders. If we follow your "condemning without hearing" logic, you wouldn't spare them. Issues based on personality should stop. Don't jump into conclusions just because you don't like a person.

+ So, what happened to "objective, impartial and balanced presentation of facts"? It took a click-bait headline on bits of information from a certain "Panama Papers" to ignore this. Lucky enough if they actually even bothered reading it in full. What a way to shame the people you already hate, huh? Leaving out other familiar names in your headlines, no? The SYs are on the list (You know SM), Ramon Ongsiako Cojuangco, Jr. and Miguel Ongsiako Cojuangco are on it too (related to your beloved Conjuangco family). Oh, of course, our media will leave them out. The focus will always be the surnames "Marcos", "Ejercito" or just simply connected to that family. Instant headline-worthy.

Some people will take everything as facts. Worse, they'll take it as if they already did something wrong even if nothing has been proven yet.

HIGHLIGHT THIS: "There are legitimate uses for offshore companies and trusts. We do not intend to suggest or imply that any persons, companies or other entities included in the ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database have broken the law or otherwise acted improperly."

Next time you ask for an objective, impartial and balanced presentation of facts, make sure you can stand by it. Hindi siya for political convenience lang, media.

On Philippine Elections & Change.

+ Next time, vote for a candidate (running for the highest office) who desires to give public service with no political ambition. Wait, what "next time"? Filipinos have been doing that for years!!! Tapos, sasabihin nila, "WE WANT CHANGE". Let's effin' vote for him/her because he/she is soooooo simple. He/she's sooooo mabait. He/she is sooooo madasalin. He/she is soooooooo walang ambisyon maging Presidente. Sa inyo na yang "change" na yan. Gasgas na gasgas na gasgas na gasgas na yan. Dalawang dekada ko na narinig at nabasa iyan. It's probably why I stopped advocating for it. Simplistic. Repetitive. Uninspiring.

On Kidapawan & the Yellow Silence.

+ Now, Jim Paredes cares about the facts, huh? You hypocrite you! If we follow your logic on Martial Law, you'd actually blame PNOY for the Kidapawan massacre. But, NO! You're blinded by your "yellow" love. You are outraged by the Mar Roxas memes, but not the Kidapawan massacre. You demand facts. You demand facts? You demand objective analysis? Facts you did not even care about during Martial Law. Objective analysis you have often dismissed when it comes to Martial Law. Oh, yes I will make that connection. He hates Martial Law and the Marcoses and loves yellow so much "to the point of insanity"! Let's not make this about politics my foot! You being concerned about the Mar Roxas memes is not politics, huh?

+ "We want a balanced presentation of facts." Add: "ONLY when convenient to our cause." Yup. Only when it fits their narrative. It's been their formula for 30 years, people! If you truly want a balanced presentation of facts, apply it equally to all. Huwag yung "ngayon lang".

An Objective Analysis of History

Is that too much to ask for? Aren't historians supposed to objectively analyze historical events? To at least have an unbiased way of presenting history.

I did not live through Martial Law. I know people who did and their stories vary. I lived through Agoncillo and Zaide though, especially Zaide. There's the anti-Marcos media, too. The kind of media that still exist up to this day. So, I take offense when the anti-Marcos crowd label us who support Bongbong Marcos (or, have a balanced view on Martial Law or the allegations of corruption, or even the Marcoses as a family) as "ignorant", "stupid", or "having no sense of history". Is that how simplistic these anti-Marcos people are?

Asking for an objective analysis of history especially the controversial ones, does that make me stupid? Does that make me a loyalist? Does that make me a blind follower? Does that make me a revisionist?

I don't think so.

When I say an objective analysis of history, I speak of Philippine History in general. It's not a specific time, date, event or person. A history not written by the victors, but one which has been thoroughly studied and analyzed by objective and non-partisan historians. Isn't that what historians are for? To have an objective analysis of our history.

Imagine if our historians did just that. We wouldn't have considered Emilio Aguinaldo a hero, right? Or, maybe we still would. You simply have to consider everything--the time, the laws, the circumstances, the existing ideologies, world events, the two sides of the story. It's easy to ignore facts when it wouldn't fit your narrative. This is exactly what are "historians" did. They have made up their minds. This is how they thought history should be presented. Their way.

It is only now that more and more people have actually realized that our history as it is written have not been telling us the whole story. For years! Half-truths. Half-lies. This is why we have never really learned anything as a nation. And now, we demand an objective analysis of our history and the anti-Marcos crowd call it revisionism?

Facts, backed up not only by documents but also by existing realities, want to be known. Stories by people who also lived during those times want to be told. The victors chose to ignore these facts and these stories. And now, it's coming back to life--haunting them.

I believe Mulder when he said,

"...the truth will out and that no one lie can live forever. I believe it still. Much as you try to bury it, the truth is out there. Greater than your lies, the truth wants to be known. You will know it. It'll come to you, as it's come to me faster than the speed of light."

History is neither black nor white.  So, it is truly wise to keep an open mind.

I hope they have it in them.

Answers in Unexpected Places

Apparently, those words came from the song Fix You by Coldplay. Forgive me for not knowing. I rarely listen to Coldplay. At least I got something from it. It's another way of saying, "face your damn fears". All the questions I had in mind last night were answered by a shirt I saw at H&M, Gateway Branch. Haaaa! It's probably the first in-your-face sign that I got from Him. That was literally an  in-your-face moment, and it was in a mall! Funny how He works sometimes.

That's not all!

Music provides answers too.

I've been listening to a song by Phillip Phillips. It's called Midnight Sun, from the album Behind the Light. It's one of my favorites. The lyrics speak to me, especially now. It made me remember my life as a law student, a bar reviewee and a bar examinee--how it was like and how I really enjoyed it no matter how difficult it really had been. Best of all, it reminded me why I chose to take this path. It's the "remember the why" moment again. It certainly helped a lot. Like Mulder, this brought my confidence back.

Thanks to Flipagram, here's a minute of Midnight Sun and a glimpse of my law school years, bar review months, bar examination days, and the aftermath.

View on Flipagram

Midnight Sun is also my Song of the Week because clearly it's my most played song and one which really means a lot to me right now. Thank you, Phillip Phillips and co. for writing this inspiring song! ;-)

In case you're interested...here are the relevant lyrics from the song...

There's a storm ahead
I see it all around me
I feel it in the air
Shake the ground beneath my feet
And I know it's all a part of me
Did you make a plan
Just to watch it crumble
Now you see yourself
In a mirror that you cannot clean
And it's all a part of you
Oh my friend
Look how time has changed
The cracks in our skin
Oh my friend
Let go of the fear that's inside your head
So stay strong live on
And chase the midnight sun

Full lyrics HERE. 

Clearly, I'm on my way to chase the midnight sun! ♥

Want v. Can: Life, Uncertainties and Fears

There's a big difference between "What I Want to Do" and "What I Can Do". I'm in a phase of my life where I simply am not sure of what to do. Heck, I don't even know what to do. Do I look for a "firm" job, an "office" job, or do I start the "litigation" training?

You know what I'm sure of? I am confused as hell.

It seems like the waiting stage is much more excruciating than the reviewing stage. It's so confusing that self-doubt comes into the picture. That's my worst enemy right now. Self-doubt. It is the worst!

What I want to do is to practice my profession like what I have dreamed of--litigation. Be a trial lawyer, the best trial lawyer. Then, self-doubt comes in. Fear, too. Can I do it? In all honesty, I don't know. Do I see myself as a trial lawyer? In my dreams, yes. In real life, not really. Maybe. There's always that maybe. That maybe gives me hope.

See, there's a part of me that says, "hell yes" and there's that other part of me that says, "you'll quit". To whom do I listen? The idealistic dreamer or the realist? I CHOOSE.

Ah, yes. I, the confused one, should choose. Life, huh.

Fear and reality. Maybe what I want to do is not what I can do. And, what I can do is not what I want to do. The only way to find out is when I have grabbed the opportunity do what I want to do or what I can do. Grab the opportunity that comes first and when it does not work out, take the other path. It's as simple as that. Nope, nope, nope. Then again, that's life.

Or, we can always learn to love something we thought we couldn't, right? Maybe, just maybe. Choose the easier path and make the most out of it and not be happy, or be happy. The thing is, you'll never know unless you're there--living that life.

The more important question, however, is...does opportunity come or do we look for it? Will I receive a call or an e-mail for an interview? Or, do I go out there and personally apply? Or maybe, do both? Real life demands more. So, do more. Be the person you want to be. Be you.

All I can tell myself is, welcome to the real world!

Face your damn fears.

The Year That Was 2015

2015 was undeniably a great year not only for me, but also for the family. It's a year full of fun, local travels, challenges and moments. My best nine photos on Instagram may more or less represent my 2015, but I wouldn't say it's definitely my 'best nine' moments of the year. Why quantify it when moments are about quality and not quantity, right?

@mulder8scully5's 2015bestnine

2015 marked the year when I became a Dalubhasang Hurista. After a fun, difficult yet exciting 6 years in law school, I officially earned my Juris Doctor degree. There was no room for a huge celebration because it was not yet the end game. I still needed to fulfill my dream of being a lawyer. Graduating just made me a step closer to that dream. Nonetheless, I have achieved something I never imagined I could. 

Just a few days before the graduation, reviewing for the bar had to begin. There was no other choice. The bar season had begun. The bar review was tough but fun. In fact, it was more fun than I, or we, expected. Having the right attitude is all one could ask for. As one of our reviewers said, "Steady but ready". We needed to relax and at the same time focus, and most importantly, a positive attitude. I believe we did just that. I'm not sure I would have survived the bar review if it weren't for the friends and new friends I met. If you're surrounded by positive people who have positive outlook in life, you'll be fine no matter how difficult life will be. 

Surviving the bar review was just one of the many steps to reach the dream. I needed to survive the biggest month yet--November, or as my fellow bar takers would say, NovemBAR. The 4 Sundays of November were exhausting. I have never been so tired in my entire life. Sobrang nakapapagod. I felt the exhaustion more than the difficulty of the questions asked in every bar subject. It's probably one of the weirdest reasons why I survived the bar examinations. Giving up never crossed my mind because I was extremely tired to even consider it. Or, I was just too determined to finish it. In all honesty, I was too determined to TOP the bar no matter how impossible it may seem. "Impossible is nothing", Adidas style. 

It was during the bar season that I became more prayerful than ever. I completed the 9-Thursday Novenas in St. Jude, and bonus mass and novena on the 10th day. Mama, papa and I were able to visit Manaoag twice this year. Visited churches during the holy week for my graduation and lawyer wish. We also revived our Friday habit--the novena to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Faith was strong in 2015 and it made us all happy. 

Family moments were also huge last year. We got to eat out more, eat at home, skate, had political discussions or simply talk about life, TV shows, or work. We were able able to travel as a family, although not entirely complete because I have 2 siblings currently working outside the country. They get to visit us in accordance with their individual schedules. So, it's rare that we get to spend time as a complete family. If we do, we make sure that it would be worth it and it was. My first trip to Ilocos during the holy week was one of those rare moments that we, as a family, including our immediate relatives, got together. 

The Ilocos Region is one of the best places I have been in my entire life. It had the municipality-city-province balance. Ilocos Norte, in particular, has a great balance of heritage, history, and development. I vowed to come back and come back I did. I visited Ilocos twice this year and it was all worth it. All I can say is, Ilocos is a beautiful place and it tells us why it is, indeed, more fun in the Philippines. Tourism is quite huge in the North this year.

As far as fandoms are concerned, it's been a great your for me, the fangirl. The huge X-Files Revival news is everything. It's the best fandom news ever. Mulder and Scully will be back and I am more excited than I ever was. We, the X-Philes, will get to experience The X-Files in a new light with social media discussions and all that. That's something to watch out for this 2016.

Another memorable moment for a fangirl like me is the International Premier Tennis League. It was the first tennis event I got to see live and this featured my favorite tennis player of this generation and my second favorite tennis player of all time (next to Pete Sampras, of course), RAFAEL NADAL. Seeing him play live is the best experience is any sports event ever. It was simply amazing--a dream come true. Rafa was intense. He really played at his best during the Manila leg. He had great moments and great winners. Most importantly, I got to scream, "VAMOS RAFA!!!" and it matters a lot for a fan like me. 

Onto another highlight of the year. Mama, papa and I got to do something we have never done before. That is, to attend a political rally--a declaration for Vice Presidential bid by Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos. I was also able to attend Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago's Meet and Greet a.k.a her declaration of candidacy as President of the Philippines. These political rallies were moments to remember. If you are a political science major like me, these events are major especially when you support these candidates.

Witnessing Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos' declaration of his candidacy for Vice President was truly an honor. It was definitely my political highlight of the year. People in different sectors came together to show their support and we were really glad to have had shown ours. His speech was forceful but dignified. You could feel his passion in public service. He inspires people. He meant every word he said. That, for me, is very important. He is the leader I want and I will show support whenever I can. Plus the fact the I got to "meet" him during the bar review at a school event, finally. He signed my Macoy shirt and it was awesome. It was certainly an unforgettable moment for me.

So much for fandom. It's time for FAMILY. The holiday season is definitely about God and family. I completed simbang gabi for the nth time. It's a "thank you" to God for everything that He has blessed us with. We visited Baguio City right after Christmas. It was the family's last travel vacation of the year. We rarely do travel vacations. Fortunately, we got to do it this time. Lots of food moments. Food was definitely the highlight of that trip! Oh, and BenCab museum. Artworks, views and family pictures sums it up. Great holidays are spent with family. Cheers!

I have pretty much covered my favorite 2015 moments. It's been a year of dreams, career paths, achievements, travels, friendships, positive attitude, faith, and family. I want to thank the good Lord for all these blessings. Sure, there were challenges and I don't often highlight it although there may be a need to, but this is not about challenges, it's about overcoming these challenges and living a positive life. So, here's to 2015: THANK YOU! 

Hello, 2016!!! ♥

SPIN.

December 05, 2014

The internet has become a lot of "used-to-be's". It used to be a tool to express one's thoughts, ideas, or opinions in a very civil and respectful way. Internet forums and message boards used to encourage intelligent discussions. Respect meant something. There were critiques instead of critics. People wanted to make a point rather than spread hate. It was used to inform, not shame people. 

Today, all these have been used to be's.

You know how good people are made to look bad, and vise versa? How a great moment turns into a bad moment? Or, how bad moments are used to shame people? I call this spinning. It's all about spinning. Positive spin. Negative spin. You choose. 

More often than not, negative spin wins. This is how the internet has been used nowadays. This is how people in the internet, or "netizens" as the proudly call themselves, have become. Of course, there's that disclaimer that not all have become the people we despise, but there are a number of them--a great number of them.

Social media has particularly become the world of spin. If you don't like a politician, a musician, or a celebrity, or even an ordinary individual or group, there's social media for you. It has been a platform to shame people. A tabloid-like tool for hateful people. In that world, they win. It is, after all, their world, not ours. 

It shouldn't be ours.

Now. 

Your move. My move. OUR MOVE.

.

Life, fairness and TV shows

The past few days have taught me a lot about life. You see, the semester I thought would be the final semester was not exactly THE final semester I was hoping for. Good thing I didn't get my hopes up. Still, you can't help but feel sad or even angry especially when you know that certain things aren't supposed to be right but are nonetheless treated as such. It would make you think, "Yeah, life isn't fair. Deal with it" (Subconsciously, "Karma's gonna get you"). Indeed, life isn't fair and I have learned to accept that fact for so long. People can't please everybody. Hell, I don't even expect myself to please everybody. Luck wasn't on my side. Or, I was probably not ready. *rolls eyes* lol. Maybe, just maybe, God knows that I can do better next semester and that I would be more ready to face the next step. Well, I will try my best--to understand and to study harder. I wish, hope and pray that people would see the light--that in order to get what we want, we should work hard for it and earn it, fair and square. By the merits--nothing more, nothing less.

Clearly, I am upset. Then again, I have to deal with it. Somehow, I have. In fact, I am more determined than ever. This is probably one of the reasons why I was able to make this 'Friday Night Lights' inspired Facebook cover, one of the fastest covers I've made so far. I'm creative when I am determined.

CLEAR EYES. FULL HEARTS. CAN'T LOSE. I am ready for you, final sem!

 

Before I begin with the final sem, the break must end first. I still have a day to enjoy watching my favorite TV shows. Vacation is not a vacation without TV shows.  I've caught up with them and I must say that 'Agents of SHIELD' and 'Gotham' have been awesome this season. Well, it's  Shield's second season, and Gotham's first. We need more of these shows! (I am intentionally ignoring CW). 'Homeland' has come back and it's crazy good--mostly because of Peter Quinn! Haaaa! Aaaand, Claire Danes' brilliant acting. The Fall, Grimm, and The Newsroom have premiered as well. So, there's a lot of catching up when the next semester begins!!!! For now, I've caught up and I'm enjoying lots of shows. I am looking forward to the returning shows and the new ones as well. Oh, lots and lots of them.

Here's to life, fairness and TV shows! *cheers*

‘Elusive’ Round-up!

This isn’t a real time blog. If it were, I would have had flooded you with lots of ‘Elusiveness’. Let’s just say this is about a chanteuse—an Elusive Chanteuse.

There are so many things that happened in the past month and even the months before that past month. It’s been great despite a worrisome (hopefully) final semester. A family outing. My first trip abroad. My first-ever-VIP-concert-ticket-ever. A kind of back-to-back evening with Mariah Carey. A happy fangirl heart. And, everything in between.

The semester that was. It was a a rollercoaster ride. A lot of downs more than ups, academic-wise. The ups came mostly because I was excited about a news that was not yet news but I knew that it was going to be news. Heh.

‘Mariah Carey is coming back to Manila’. I had that coming. I just knew it. I knew it. She just can’t skip the Philippines, you know. So, yes, as a fan, I knew. Still, no announcements were made. Singapore had it first. ‘She is coming to Singapore’. Ahhh, the excitement! And, I was excited. The excitement, however, was halted by my dreadful last semester. Decisions had to be made. Darn, mid-terms had yet to come during those exciting times. Do I book now? Buy tickets? Or, do I wait for the final exam schedule? The ‘good student’ in me said, “Wait for the exam sched,” but the fangirl in me silently screamed, “BUY THE TICKET! VIP!!!”. lol. Yes, tell kuya to buy the ticket. Good thing, I have a brother who’s in SG. He bought 2. One for him. One for me. Haaaaa! Excited. Halted. Excited. Halted. Halted. Halted. Book a flight later.

Then came the Manila leg announcement. Ah, the announcement I knew even before it became one. Hahaha. Mark the date. October 28. It was a chance to see her again for the third time. (First was in 2003. Second, the SG leg of the Elusive Chanteuse Show. And, now, in Manila, after 11 years). Happy ‘lamb’! No VIP for me here though. 26K? What!!!! With that 26K, I could go to SG, get VIP tickets and a Gen Ad ticket for the MOA concert, which is exactly what I did. lol. I’m kind of practical in my own little way. Of course I would have wanted a front row seat in the Philippines but it would cost too much and my parents wouldn’t allow it. So, it was time to make these things happen—first trip abroad, visit my kuya and watch Mariah twice.

Time to book that SG flight. Oh, this was the worst part. I just had to be sure that the 24th of October is exam-blocked. You pay thousands for crying out loud. You have to be sure you’ll fly on that day. I needed to be sure, but in this life, you can’t be sure. The universe surely knows how to mess up with life. Still, I was hopeful. I knew that if ever there would be an exam, it would be scheduled in the morning. So, a flight in the afternoon was the best option. Decisions, decisions, decision. Hunted by it. Finally, the decision was made. To cut the long story short, with all the negativities and the Manila traffic, we managed to be at the airport an hour or two early before the flight. Yes, I had a final exam on that day as well. When that exam was over, I felt that excitement once again. “I am going to Singapore. I am going to see Mariah Carey live!” AAAAHHHHH!!!

Let’s just say, EVERYTHING was worth it. Worth the halt, halt, halt. Worth all the emotions and the mental stuffs.

Singapore was a lot of fun. I hate flying though.

Changi. Mariah. MRT. LRT. Bus. Taxi. Gardens by the Bay. Universal. Sentosa. Food. Family. Three days full of joy and love.

There were two exams left though. Excitement for the Manila leg, halted. It was an exam-concert-exam kind of thing. Head is spinning. Then again, I managed. It was quite a ride, those times. Quite a ride.

October, I enjoyed you. I enjoyed you a lot.

Family outing, Singapore Adventures and the Concert Reviews coming right at you in the coming days, weeks, or months. Expect a full review of the concert soon. I just enjoyed it a lot. A LOT. Mariah Carey will forever have the greatest voice ever! ♥

Randomsity!

+ To watch or not to watch?

I watch a lot of TV shows. Hence, it's all I've been doing since summer vacation started. I regret nothing, but I think I need a break from it--just for the rest of the night. And, just blog about the little thoughts I have right now...before I forget them. Haaaaa!

+ I'm not creative enough. Or, I'm probably just lazy. Nah, I am lazy. I hope I get to push myself to do more of the creative stuffs I used to do no matter how ugly they are.

+ I wish John Legend would sing "It Don't Have To Change" more live. It's a great song and it brings back amazing memories. Oh, the nostalgia.

+ Well, I've read or heard somewhere that when you become reminiscent of the past--the happy moments, just the nostalgia, it is said that you are one unhappy person. Hmmm. I'm not sure if I fully agree. Somewhat, maybe. There's no scientific proof to such claim! Heh.

+ weheartit seems cool. Yeah, it's the first REAL step to share things I'd want to share in a different point of view--more personal and more private. Photos and random blurbs through photos ha. :)

+ For a change, it's a 'no photo', 'no video' entry.

28.

The last day of the school year happens to fall on my birthday. Uh, hooray but not hooray! Haha! There’s still that one final push. Here’s to the last final exam and a happy, happy birthday!

A late birthday dinner with family and a lovely cake at our simple home. Haha. Thank you, Lord for all the blessings you’ve given us! Happy Birthday, Me!

A Possibility.

I never thought it could happen, but it did. This is an academic blessing. Thank you, Lord! Thank you, family (esp. my mama). Thank you, friends. The previous sem was my best sem, obviously. 

This is the first time and I know that it could be the last. Fourth year is just full of impossibilities. Sure, we cannot deny the possibilities, but this sem, so far, has been very challenging. I won't even dream of being part of the honor roll again haha. I just want to finish law school by the end of the year (October 2014). Hopefully, I could. 

If not, I still have the March 2015 option. There's always a backup plan. We're getting there.

In law school, I've learned that the beginning and the end have always been the toughest. I survived the beginning. It's time to face the end.

Posted via Blogaway

The Buzzing Bees!

They just keep on buzzing.

+ Just because you don't like his answer does not mean he's lying. Right, Mr. Senator? 

+ True, we kind of need a strong leader. That is, a strong and SANE leader. Enough with the bickering, Ms. Secretary and Mr. Mayor.

+ Oh please...with the 'this isn't news', 'nasan na ang PDAF, DAP?', 'mas mahalaga ba talaga ito kesa sa mga isyu ng bansa?'. Tama na ang pagpapanggap. Do you even care? Really? Sorry ha. Just because you don't like the news does not mean it isn't news. We just need to learn how to look beyond the people in the news, maybe we'll find the real issue(s). Diba?  Philippine Criminal Justice System is under scrutiny yet again.

+ I ship MayWard so hard! The haters can just BITE ME. lol.

+ This song is soooo good! It's a masterpiece. I love you, DMB! Dave Matthews is so gwapo (handsome) here! ♥

How I wish they'd bring the DMB2sets Show here in the Philippines. Dave Matthews Band Live In Manila. Someday, someday.

+ Midterm exam week next week. It will be like hell. And, it starts tomorrow--the studying, that is. I mean, today. When I wake up, all I could do is study, study, study, and pray. It will be the first longest week of the year. What to study? What to study? lol. Good luck. God Bless.

The buzzing has stopped.

The 'Unlikely' Ship

This needed to be done. MayWard. They have been bugging me since yesterday. lol. See, I have always been a shipper. Yep, I am a shipper. Always have been. And more importantly, my ships can be very very popular. Uhm, Mulder and Scully? Yes! The best OTP ever. MSR forever. ♡

Back to the MayWard ship. This is definitely not a 'popular' ship the way a 'popular ship' is defined. Well, that's the AoS fandom. I. DON'T. CARE. I just wish the other ships would learn how to respect this ship.

It seemed unlikely at first but anyone who actually keenly observed every scene that they were in would realize why it wasn't unlikely. It wasn't THAT obvious but there was something. I just had that feeling since the first episode. Yes, episode 1. I knew it could happen...and that it would eventually. Hey, maybe that's a ship radar or something. Haha! You can't deny the stares or looks, the 'interest' and hmmm the chemistry (in a different level). The chemistry isn't cheesy. They are definitely not there yet. Not yet. Maybe never. I have no idea where the writers would lead MayWard to. Nonetheless, their scenes together are squeeee-worthy. Definitely worth the fangirl speak. Ha! The sparring scene is a fave of mine! ♡

Melinda May is obviously my favorite Agents of Shield character. She's a bada$$. Tough and strong women characters on TV have always been a favorite. Grant Ward is a grower though. The more episodes I see, the more I like his character. Second fave, probably? I guess there's the character development,  in a way. And, the development kind of goes hand in hand with the ship. It's probably just me (or, not). Both cold (Melinda is waaaay cold-er 'tho) but I guess MayWard shippers see what others don't--that May and Ward understand each other like we don't and this can be seen in the looks they give each other and even when Ward said that only May knows what's in her mind or something to that effect. And with Episode 13, ahhhh, MayWard feels! Jealousy in the air lol.

I applaud the writers (for now) for this 'unlikely' ship. Kind of unique, really. Thank you Ming-na Wen and Brett Dalton for an awesome chemistry, on and off-screen!

Come on! ♥ MayWard.

Posted via Blogaway

The Gift of ‘Discipline’.

If I could give one thing to the Philippines, it would have to be something intangible. We don’t need tangible things right now. We have them here. In fact, the country has a lot to offer. The best thing we could give our country is one that would make it better—one which could actually make the Philippines great. It’s something the country needs from us. It’s something we, as Filipinos, should really work on. It’s the gift of discipline.

I’m not sure if it is just a minority perception, but as an everyday commuter, you’ll see my point. From simple traffic and pedestrian rules to simple MRT/LRT courtesy and to our day-to-day life, the lack of discipline cannot be denied. Obedience and courtesy, for me is part of that discipline. I mean, how difficult is it to follow simple arrow instructions? How ‘bout falling in line and waiting for your turn? What’s with the pushing, the blocking, and the shoving? The jaywalking? The loading and unloading areas?

If we can’t follow these simple rules, what do we expect from the same people who make them? Of course, I can’t generalize. However, the simple logic prevailing right now is, ‘if Mr. Mayor/Mr. Governor/Mr. Representative/Mr. Senator/Mr. President/etc. can’t even follow our laws, then why should we?’ It has come to the point where ‘if everyone’s doing it, then why should I not do it?’. It seems as if we have lost faith not only in our country but also in ourselves—that we aren’t capable of doing what is right even though everyone’s doing what they think is right although it is wrong. It has come to the point when you do what is proper, you risk ending up at the bottom, whereas if you do what is improper you end up being at the top. Or, the faster you get to your destination, whatever it takes, the better. Why even use the overpass when you can just cross the street and stop the cars? Why even fall in line when you can cut line? Why even stop when you can beat the red light?

There should be no room for this mindset. We should not even entertain such thoughts. Discipline is something we need to work on. If we want to have a better country, we have to be better Filipinos. And, by being better, we have to instill discipline in our minds and our hearts—for a better Philippines.

So, as a Filipino, I give my gift of discipline to my country, the Philippines. Pay it forward, people.

To end this entry, I invite the readers of this blog to take part of #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014 by answering this question:

“If there is one thing you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?”

I would really like to read/hear from you/your blog. :)

The Lumia.

It’s been a month since my mom bought my new (now, the not so new) mobile phone, the Lumia 520. See, she and I had a deal. Mama actually had the idea—that if I had no failing grade(s) (which is ordinarily impossible in Law School) for the first semester, she’d buy me the phone I wanted. It was a clean sweep. Hence, the new phone.

So far, so good. I think I have found the phone that suits me. Ha! In fact, I am loving it. It’s affordable, cool and classy. (Got the best price! Php6,600+) And, it’s windows phone! It’s lovely. If only people would really give it a try. I really think it’s a cross between Apple and Android, only it is Windows (8, to be exact) and it’s Nokia. I have an Android phone too, btw. (Best of both worlds, eh?)

The high-end Lumia would have had better features/specifications, of course, but I am definitely fine with this one.  As long as I have Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on my phone, it’s all good. I have a tablet for the games. lol. Maybe, I’ll have some games on this phone. We’ll see. I am not a heavy mobile internet user either. It’s probably one of the reasons why the battery could last for 3 days, which is great.

I have to further explore the phone’s features, programs and/or applications. The tiles layout is awesome! So far, the camera is great. It’s 5mp (better than the 2mp Samsung Galaxy Y I have haha). I have Microsoft Office. The photo editor is cool. Nokia Smart Cam is really nice. And oh, this has to be mentioned, I was able to transfer my contacts from my Blackberry phone to my Windows Phone with ease—bluetooth! It was that simple. Lumia has this ‘Transfer my Data’ feature that would allow you to transfer your data from your other phone to your windows phone through bluetooth, laptop, or desktop. It’s that easy! Here’s to further windows phone exploration. I hope this phone would live up to my ‘needs’. So far, it has. :)

In case you are thinking of making a switch or buying an additional phone, I’d recommend the Lumia. The 1020, maybe? That phone has the best camera from what I’ve read and heard. Haha. 520 is a good start though.

It’s all up to you.

Lots of phone in the market right now. Choose the phone you like and one which would suit you.

P.S. Weird observation, battery gets low fast in very cold temperature. At a normal temperature, battery lasts longer. Hmmm. (This happened once. Needs further observation/s haha)

I’m a Rafa!

First entry for the new year. Happy 2014, y’all! Hope you all started the year right. Hahaha! :)

I did. I think.

I was able to finish a book—a non-academic book. A memoir, to be exact. It’s a Christmas gift from Papa (as an exchange gift, of course. He’s not a gift-giving person e.). If it interests me, there’s a huge chance I’ll finish it at the soonest possible time, which I did. Started reading daaays after Christmas and finished before classes resumed. Rather, it was before I resumed studying. Hehe!

The book? It’s RAFA by Rafael Nadal and John Carlin. And, it’s A+MAZING! I am inspired by it and I got to know Rafa more as a person. I connect to his story and even his struggles not as an athlete, but as a person. Like him, I see myself as an ordinary person who is capable of something great with all the hard work, determination, and the unparalleled support of family, but fears ‘greatness’, or in his words, “the fear of winning”—it is what lets us down. This book, his story, shows us how a person can overcome this fear and how powerful ones mind can be. His mind is. The way he sets his mind into something is power. His focus is out of this world. It is his strength. It could be ours mine too. ‘Could be’.

Another highlight from the book is Rafa’s relationship with his family. His family is everything. It’s what keeps him grounded and yes, he was raised a good person. As what he said, that’s important to him. This is definitely something I can relate to because family is everything to me. A close-knit family is a blessing. A real blessing! Like him, I am blessed with one. True, problems will always be there but a strong family can overcome any problem. Also, having read his book, I understood the role of his family, particularly that of Uncle Toni’s and his team. Believe me, it’s interesting. It is very interesting (in a positive way). Well, that’s just me.

If you are a fan, you’d definitely appreciate this book. I think non-fans would too. There are a lot of sections in his memoir that are worth reading—his first Wimbledon title, the Australian Open, the French Open, Roger Federer and just everything about tennis and even football (‘soccer’). Lots of inspiring moments. A lot to learn. Novak might have read this already and even learned something from it. Hahaha! Read the book and you’ll figure it out. :)

So far, that has been the last few days of 2013 and the first few days of 2014—the realization that I am indeed a ‘Rafa’. :)

Celebrating 20 Years of The X-Files

2013 would not be complete without my little tribute to the best TV series that changed my life, The X-Files. I’ve always wanted to pay tribute to The X-Files not only as a series which helped revolutionized TV, but also one which have greatly influenced me. The truth is, The X-Files helped shaped the person who I am now. Although this may not be that entry, it would still give you a glimpse of what I have been wanting to write about as a tribute to my favorite show. I want it to be perfect, yet I know that this would not be as perfect as I want it to be. But hey, this year marked the 20th Anniversary of The X-Files and this blog would not be complete without this entry.

Cheers to 20 years!

This is just the beginning.

My real ‘journey’ with The X-Files began during my teenage years. I was probably thirteen at that time. I can’t remember my exact age but I remember the episode I first saw—‘The Musings of the Cigarette Smoking Man’. I say ‘real’ because it was the first time I had actually seen an episode—in full. I had seen clips thanks to several award shows. Yes, I did watch the Globes, the Emmys and the SAGs. I still do. Let’s just say The X-Files sweeping the Globes by winning Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Drama got me curious. And, I must say, it did not disappoint. I finally found a show that I would watch. Let’s be real, ‘Musings’ was intriguing. Although it was Mulder-less and Scully-less, it had JFK. It had the element of conspiracy theory. The execution? It’s flawless. I just knew from that moment on that I would like the show. I mean, REALLY like the show. I did not expect the magnitude of me liking it; but, as time went by, I grew up loving the show even more. The rest, as the say, is history.

It became more that just a TV show. The X-Files made a huge impact in my life. It sure did.

The Revolution.

September 10, 1993 marked the beginning of a revolution. A TV revolution. It was the birth of The X-Files. An uncanny show premiered on the FOX network. Two FBI agents—one a believer and the other a skeptic. Together, they explored the existence of the ‘little green men’, government conspiracies, and the paranormal. There was nothing like it on TV. It’s probably one of the reasons why it became a cultural phenomenon. The writing’s just brilliant.  Plus, there’s Mulder and Scully. Pop culture at its finest.

It was also the beginning of the X-Files fandom—the mother of all fandoms, the group that started it all—the Shippers, the NoRomos, the USTs and everything about fandoms. This is not just a mere claim. It is a fact. Heh.

The internet might have just been a baby during that time, but with The X-Files, its emergence was undeniable. Internet forums and message boards were on fire with episode and series discussions. X-Philes can be very passionate. I learned how to gather my thoughts, share my opinions and even argue with fellow fans through the FOX forums. Oh, how I miss those times!

Who could forget the fan fiction? I’ve never read one but I am quite aware of the stories fans write—some are really awesome, others can be hilarious but all of them equally good. I think. Hahaha. I guess, the viewers were inspired by the brilliant X-Files writers to write their own stories, following (or not) The X-Files storyline. These would show how a television series can actually influence people—individually, creatively, or even emotionally.

The X-Files clearly revolutionized the internet landscape. They did so, too, on TV with their monster-of-the-week episodes, the mythology episodes and of course, the scary and controversial ones (uhm, does ‘Home’ ring a bell?). As creator Chris Carter would say, it’s all about timing. Luckily for The X-Files, they had what other shows did not have, TIMING. Alien and government conspiracies were quite a thing during the 90s. A number of people were interested with a show that would give them the creeps. Plus, they had (still have) the fans—the ever supportive and rabid ones. And, they (WE!) are smart too. Ha!

Lastly, The X-Files have Mulder & Scully. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. The best duo ever with the best chemistry forever. A lot of shows today have patterned their lead characters/actors after Mulder and Scully (David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson). I won’t name names. It’s nice that they do/did because the formula has certainly been a hit in most shows. That says a lot. As a fan, I am proud of that. Sure, it pisses us off sometimes (considering the fandom clashes lol) but there’s that sense of legacy—a continuing X-Files legacy—that it has remained relevant for 20 years now (and counting). That’s something! That, my friends, is THE X-FILES.

20 Years.

‘OMG’. By simply typing "’20 years”, I can’t help the ‘OMG’ feels. Hahaha! A lot happened this 2013. FOX might not have The X-Files Anniversary Special I have been asking all year; nonetheless, the people behind the amazing series, the fans, the lead actors and fellow cast members, made the 20th Anniversary of The X-Files really special. They did it for the show and for the fans. We really are the luckiest bunch out there ha.

We got The X-Files Season 10 comics, which is amazing, by the way. It’s like watching the series, only you’re reading a comic. Hahaha. You visualize it. I mean, you’re reading it like you’re watching it. You’re hearing David and Gillian’s voices and imagine how they may act the scenes out. It’s a Phile thing!

XFilesNews had the tweet-a-thon. It was a worldwide hit. #XF20 brought back a lot of great memories esp. the interactions we had with fellow fans—whether they be the old ones or the baby new ones. The fact that we had a 140 character limit to show our love and support for the greatest TV show ever is a challenge but we managed. It’s amazing how we came up with our sweet little tweet tribute to the cast and crew. They deserve all our love support—be it with or without The X-Files.

THE CONS!!! I can’t even. Many thanks to TV Guide, EW, SDCC, NYCC, reddit and everyone who made the 20 years of The X-Files so special. The David and Gillian moments are priceless. Those moments will forever be cherished—the photos, the conversations, the questions, the answers, the gazing, the smiling, the everything. Again, THE E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. OF. EVERY. MOMENT. So much love and support. ♥

The X-Files Collection.

Me buying X-Files stuffs is not something new. I’ve been doing it since I was a teenager. Hahaha! I save money so I could buy a magazine, a VHS tape, a DVD, a poster, an episode guide or any X-Files collectible. I still have them all. In celebrating the 20 years of this great show, there have been a lot of additions to my collection this year. They can best be shown through photos, as seen below. All I can say is, I have finally completed my DVD series set, thanks to Amazon’s Black Friday sale! :)

The 20th Anniversary is a legitimate excuse! :)

		XF20 Collection VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Certainly, 2013 is the year of The X-Files. I would have loved to have attend any of the cons but I couldn’t. I wanted to. I couldn’t. This, however, did not stop me from celebrating the 20th Anniversary of The X-Files.

A milestone. 20 years. The X-Files.

Kudos!

THANK YOU, 2013!