I couldn’t agree more with my horoscope in MyYahoo yesterday…
This is not at all like you — the way you’re acting, that is. Just ask anyone. You’re being uncooperative, uncompromising and totally unlike your usual self. You’re even beginning to wonder what strange beast has occupied you — to make you say such outrageous things. The odd part of it is that you’re actually enjoying it, although you’d never admit it. Oh, admit it. You’re ready for a great big change.
Trying to discern which exactly went into my luggage before leaving for Shanghai:
Shattered ideals or detour to betterment?
(It can also be that shattering was necessary for my own good.)
Just a phase or an indelible feeling?
(A phase that lingered a little too long perhaps.)
Consistently serious or occasionally fun?
(I am fun but still a little serious for some audiences.)
Finding the right one or enjoying the wrong ones?
(Unless proven otherwise, but not for me to prove.)
Service or self-satisfaction?
(Should be both, I believe.)
My excuse for not being able to write so soon? I was busy being “in the moment.” Haha. It’s been a series of ups and downs for me in the past few weeks. However, lately, I’ve resolved to always see the positive in anything seemingly upsetting. I think I’ve wasted a good deal of time dwelling so much on things that are beyond my control and being too harsh on myself almost always. I’m not making a big pronouncement here that I’m miraculously cured of negative thoughts and gloomy days, but I’m trying my best not to give them power over me. Happiness and contentment are choices that I’ve taken for granted far too long. So, here’s to taking an active part in my bliss and (bright) future.
I.OWE.ME.BIG.TIME.
Filed under: Good times
I find it ironic to find myself not being able to write anything sensible when there has been a lot happening in my life. Perhaps, I need to let things simmer down before I collect my thoughts and weave the words that would describe what could probably be a major turning point in my life. But right now, all I could say is I’m on a high. But things could actually get better. So, I’ll keep the faith and enjoy the ride.
It’s not a surprising fact that I don’t drive in Metro Manila. My friends could attest to that. We all know how traumatic driving in Manila can be. I’m not really worried about traffic. I’m more concerned about swerving vehicles, traffic lights, policemen, and huge buses and trucks along the highway. I’m also not aware of the transactions that happen in tollgates. Why? Because all the time I’m a passenger I hardly pay attention to tollgates. I’m also asleep most of the time when traveling so I am totally ignorant of these things.
But lately, I’ve been educating myself by watching my friend and brother drive. I knew that I would find myself driving to the city soon. I never thought though that it would be that soon. How soon? It happened last Friday, May 22.
Just to be clear, nobody forced me. I just found one good reason to put me behind the steering wheel and drive to the city. But that reason is a different story. The destination (sorry, but I need to be cryptic) was worth the journey.
Anyway, going back to driving. It wasn’t really nerve-wracking as I thought it would be. I actually felt like a pro when I entered Alabang where the mayhem usually starts. I left Los Baños 2:30 P.M. I arrived in Quezon City almost 6 P.M. Mayhem it was, indeed.
Although traffic was terrible, I actually enjoyed being in the middle of the long snarl of vehicles. Don’t laugh but I did feel more adult-like (as if I’m not one… hehe), more empowered (huge word, huh?) side-by-side professional city drivers who actually hit the road like predators.
I only concluded that I made it through the whole experience when I came home to Los Baños in one piece the next day. I’m kind of proud of what I did. As what people have been saying, “If you can drive in Manila, you can drive anywhere in the world.”
I believe them.
Come to think of it, I find the maze quite seductive. Despite the past troubles, I’m willing to go through another one again. I’m pretty sure that I’m walking into the right entry this time. I won’t be surprised if I walk out of this maze no longer alone, but with someone.
Events have been a little too sucky lately. And I’m the last person to say that I can tolerate all these things. Every day has been a tug-of-war for me: should I sulk and complain? Or should I shrug these off and explore other avenues? Mind you, it’s easier said than done to prefer the latter especially if you’ve covered all bases just like what I did (I think).
Sure, I still wet my eyes almost every day, but before I go to bed I end up dreaming big (actually, bigger) things for myself, which is good. That only means I’m recovering and seeing the bigger (that’s the word again) picture.
Apparently, resiliency is in my DNA. I never thought I had it.
I looked outside the window and I saw these.
Option A
Option B
Option C
Option D
Option E
Option F
Option G
Option H
Option I
Option J
Option K
Option L
Option M
Option N
Option O
Option P
Option Q
Option R
Option S
Option T
Option U
Option V
Option W
Option X
Option Y
Option Z
Last month, students from my DEVC 123 (Management and Production of a Community Newspaper) class launched this year’s edition of the Los Baños Times.
This is my seventh year to handle the course. Typically, I would have at least 20 students enrolled in DEVC 123. But this semester, I only had 10. Needless to say, I was nervous. Who would not be? Making a newspaper entails manpower and resources. Having 10 students does not exactly translate to manpower and resources – or so I thought.
Weeks and months went by, I obviously was proven wrong. Efficiency does not have anything to do with the number of students after all. As I watch these students undergo the last rites of passage for development journalism majors, I could only feel a great sense of joy and pride.
I believe there is still so much to learn and realize when a student is allowed to apply what he or she already knows. In the case of the Los Baños Times, the students did not only practice what they have been taught in almost three years of development journalism courses, but they also have gotten the chance to know their community — a community that goes beyond the confines of the university. Acquainting ourselves with the community and with our readers are as important as honing our writing skills.
Now, as they join the rest of the students who have taken this path, I commend them for their time, effort, and passion. They did their job and they did it very well.
