What You Say You Are

Words are more important now than ever before-- doesn't matter how old you are, if you are male or female. In this day and age, when social media has made everyone believe that you, yes you, have a voice, that what you say matters, and that people actually give a shit about your thoughts and opinions, what are you gonna do about it?

Picture not mine, taken from: http://socialmediahelp4u.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/social-media-bandwagon1-300x242.jpg

Be heard. Say it loud, say it proud. But most of all:

Picture not mine, taken from: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m28ti4LWdb1qz6f9yo1_500.jpg

Easier said than done. Being able to do so means actually believing in something, knowing where you stand, your beliefs, your values. It requires knowing who you are and what you believe in. Because if you don't, then your voice would just be part of the cacophony, devoid of any meaning. That which should or could have been a beacon of hope to others, or even a call to action, would only be lost in the sea of chaos and confusion.

So now, I sit and ask myself, who am I? What do I believe in and what do I stand for?

I know who I am in the most simple of terms, but thinking about it more actually had me confused. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced I don't know myself at all. I am such a mass of contradictions that I find it hard to put down on paper. Ask me about my opinion and mostly it will be it depends, save for a few non-negotiables. Doesn't mean I'm incapable of deciding, it's just that things are rarely black and white anymore.

And then I realized, I am so much more than a list of traits, characteristics and values I believe in.I guess I know more of myself as I go through every experience that life has to offer. My history is a part of who I am and ultimately, it plays a role in who I will be.

I shouldn't fidget around and think about whether doing this or that would be in accordance of who I think I am and who I think others think I am. It's simply not going to play out like that.  In a sense, I know myself better than anyone else but at the same time I don't know myself at all. So why should that stop me?

2011: The Year That Has Been Awesome

First post for the year 2012! Woot!

 image taken from http://datacommunication2011.blogspot.com/2011/12/merry-christmas-happy-new-year-2012.html


Too bad I'm writing it in a semi-unhealthy state. First lesson for the year 2012: Everything in moderation. Too much of a good thing is bad. I learned it the hard way.  I ate too much and drank too much during Media Noche that I spent the first few days of 2012 sick and nauseous. What a way to start the year right?

Speaking of lessons, the year that has been has been such a great year. So without further ado, here's a list of lessons/ things I'm grateful for/ whatnots from the top of my mind and in no particular order:

1. Graduation
Those awful all-nighters that you spent rushing to finish essays for Theo and making outlines for Philo orals, days and nights spent in Starbucks Katip cramming LS Mock Defense Presentations while thinking about gimmicks that could possibly tilt the grades in your favor... just thinking about it makes me dizzy! But that feeling you get when you hand in that final requirement at the end of your LAST hell week is just liberating. Nothing can describe it nor compare to it.
Marching on that glorious summer day with friends and batchmates knowing that you've all survived 4 years of terror profs and hell sems and seeing your parents faces beam with pride has got to be one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

2. Ateneo de Bora 2011
After the hard work, comes the partying! 5 days of tropical heaven! It was undoubtedly, one of the best adventures of my life. I tried helmet diving, riding on a sailboat at dusk, conquering the flying fish, island hopping, sleeping all day, and partying all night! That summer, memories were definitely made! But you know what they say, "What happens in Bora, never happened." ;)

3. Landing a job
As much as I would have liked Bora to last, after the summer escapade comes the real world. I entered this company in June as part of the MT program, right when classes were about to start. New place, new friends, new people. Seven months down the road, a few mistakes there and a chock-full of new experiences, I can say that I have indeed learned a lot. I have travelled to most of the major cities in Luzon, became friends with people from there, sampled local delicacies, slept alone in hotel rooms, got stuck in Isabela (I never wanna go back there again) because my flight got cancelled, commuted to Manila via a bus on my own, helped execute a program, started doing weekly reports, the list goes on and on. Although I might not know exactly what I really want for now, I'm thinking, maybe I'm getting there. :)

4.  Cebupacific, Zestair, and other affordable airlines
THANK YOU! Thank you for making it possible for young people like me (who have only started to work and do not have that much money) to travel! Because of you guys, I know for sure that my 2012 won't be boring. Thus far, my calendar is already dotted with trips locally and abroad. Fingers crossed that everything goes according to plan!

5. Starbucks
Oh Starbucks what would I do without you! From hell weeks in college to catch-up conversations with friends to sleepy days in the office, White Choco Mocha has always been there for me. I'm so addicted to this drink that I've even converted a few non-Starbucks drinker friends into devotees of White Choco Mocha. I should get paid for this. HOHOHO.

6. Having my own car
Not having to compete with thousands of others during rush hour? Enough said. Not having to pay for my gas, even better!

7. Friends new and old
This year has been a year of meeting new people but it doesn't mean that I've forgotten the ones I made along the way.This is the year that has tested the bonds of friendship. Not seeing each other everyday has been hard but I'm glad that despite the busy schedules, everyone is still up for a dinner, movie-date, party, what-have-you.

8. Toffee and Mochi
My bibis are just the cutest. And smart too! I'm lucky enough that my mom FINALLY agreed to let us have a dog. I love them, they love me. End of story.

9. Free Time
One of the perks of working? Not having to bring work home and being able to not think about work once you get home. Granted there were times that I had to break the cardinal rule of never bringing work home or never thinking about work while home, but overall, it is less tiring than college--at least less tiring than senior year. Having time to do what I enjoy and having time to do the things I missed doing while I was in college is a godsend. It's only now when I've started working that I'm able to watch TV, go to the gym, and read books without feeling guilty.

10. Family
Everything I mentioned above is just made perfect by my family. I'm such a lucky person that my family's complete and is safe and sound. As anyone who knows me would tell you, I'm a very BIG family person that this is just a humongous blessing I am thankful for. Every single day.

P.S. Love life na lang ang kulang! HAHA :))