The mysticism of Mhay's Shoes

I never realized how a pair of shoes would affect my psychological make-up the entire day.

It happened a week ago when I attended a seminar for journalism (where we met F. Sionil as I've mentioned in my previous blog). Last Saturday, under the not-so-burning heat of the morning sun, all CJ's (that's how CTHM Journal members are addressed) were waiting for everybody to come. I actually came the last minute, as well as my friend/classmate/CJ-mate, Ms. Charmaine Orejola, Mhay for short (but she's waaay late than me. LOL!). Until she arrived with her Korean-looking attire, matching her innocent look and modest gestures. But wait... There is something wrong with her attire, (...browsing...) it's her SHOES!!! Look, I'm not really into minding others' style, it's just that her shoes is making me lose my sanity because I think it's kind off... different? Take a look:

Other people may perceive this pair of shoes as normal as the other shoes, or others might not even mind it at all, but not me. I consider myself having a so-called "Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" (not Disorder because I'm still normal, right?). Going on... Apparently, it affected my psychological make-up that whole day. It may be weird, but I really can't help myself minding it every time I get a glimpse of it. If you just saw me that day, I was starring at it and really focusing to it with my straight face like a totally crazy person.

I asked her "Anong trip mo?!" (What's with you?!), then she told me that she have two pairs of that same style of shoes but different in color, and she wanted to experiment on how people would react to it if she'll wear both colors (isn't it Mhay?). And I believe I reacted too much to the extent that my eyes are utterly glued to it (I just can't help it! LOL!), and I'd say she succeeded in her experiment (especially to me! O_o).

Oh well, the power of her shoes to distort people's mind is still a mystery for me (or is it?). LOL!

By the way, this blog is dedicated to Charmaine Orejola (Mhay) because she wanted exposure?!? Just kidding! LOL! V(^o^)V

Learning from F. Sionil Jose, a National Artist for Literature

I am now a full-pledge feature writer of the CTHM Journal. (^o^)\m/

Yesterday, I attended a conference/workshop regarding us, being a writer in our respective colleges. There were lots of interesting speakers, and one of them is my favorite--Francisco Sionil-Jose, a National Artist for Literature, and a proud Thomasian.

(I apologize for the not-so-professional shot. It's only
from a 3.15 MP camera phone. Zoomed in.)

F. Sionil was the one who wrote "The God Stealer" (a story about an Igorot named Philip Latak who stole their God), which was once our reading assignment in Literature class. He was actually the former teacher of my Literature professor (Sir Timothy Sanchez), and I find it really cool that I met him. At first, I never thought that the big ol' man sitting in the stage was actually him because he wore simple clothes and a "writer's cap." He's really old that he addressed himself as an "octogenarian." And that surprised me because he still manages to engage in this kind of activity despite of being 80+ years old. Judging by his face, I'd say he's a pro because he has these big eye bags, meaning, he writes a lot for the past decades! For his age, he is still perky and he connects with us, which makes him really likable. He shared to us his adventures. Unbelievably, he had traveled in every part of the globe like (if my memory serves me right) Brazil, Japan, Tibet, Russia, the whole Philippines, and lots more. He also shared to us his achievements like receiving numerous awards.

According to F. Sionil, writers are not rich. And jokingly, he said to us that "if you want to be a writer, find a rich husband/wife first!" Being a writer means you have to be dedicated to what you are doing despite the hindrances that may occur. It's actually a serious job. He even told a student not to dream of becoming a writer if he's not wealthy. He also said to us that he is thankful for having an understanding family because of the career he has chosen. He wasn't even a good provider to his family (but his wife! LOL!). But after a masterpiece has been created, it is the time you come to realize that it is indeed a fulfilling career. It's the passion that drives you to achieve your goals no matter how hard it is.

He shared to us his experience of being a writer who travels. When he was in riding a train in Shinjuku, he was crying. Crying because according to him, he knows that his heart is lost in Shinjuku. It was actually in the epilogue of his novel entitled "Ermita." He read to us part of it, and it was really touching.

When he ended his talk, we were so fortunate to have a picture taken with Mr. Francisco Sionil-Jose. It was an honor for me to be able to listen to his talk.

(When he was presented a plaque of appreciation)

A Sudden Realization

I do believe that in every goodness of a person, there is something bad or evil in him. Seriously, we are bad in nature and that's A FACT even if you deny it. At first, I was in denial, but there came a point which I learned to embrace those flaws, those failures--I just had a sudden realization.

This week is what I consider as my "conscientious week" or "the week of enlightenment" because of the realizations that I just had.

FIRST REALIZATION

For the past couple of years, I lived with the notion that I looked really ugly because of the celebrities I see in TV. They had actually emphasized my flaws, which made me more insecure of the beautiful people I encounter everyday. That's why I started questioning myself, why don't I have that chiseled nose, perfectly white teeth, and a nice lean lips? WHY OH WHY?! I know I've been watching too much TV which made me conceptualize the idea of hyperreality in my mind. Because of that influence, my mindset was like "I will definitely undergo plastic surgery in the future because I want to have a perfect looking face just like the people I see in TV." I've been telling it to my friends, however they always contradict that belief of mine.

I've been making a study of how it is done--if it hurts, fatal, or whatsoever. I've been inspiring myself of the many Korean celebrities who undergo plastic surgery in order to look perfect in the eyes of the society. I even thought of having it done in Korea so I'd look like one of them. I've been so obsessed of how I really wanted to look like.

One Monday dusk, I tried looking in the mirror and talked to myself of things that I really wanted to happen. I tried asking myself, "why do you always compare yourself to others?" I tried assessing myself by negating my present belief. And from that question, I started realizing that I'm such a low life creep. I told myself, "why not challenge yourself and prove that success doesn't depend on how people looks like," right? It's like looking into the bright side.

Come to think of it, instead of comparing myself to others, why not appreciate what my capabilities are, and the things that I have that others don't? It's just like reversing my perspective. I may not be physically favorable in the industry that I chose, but I do know for sure that my personality, wit, and enthusiasm would definitely compensate that flaw (if it is considered as one). And from that realization, I started appreciating what I have and accepted what the reality wants for me.

SECOND REALIZATION

I've been a blabbermouth. I've been talking too much that could offend the people around me. I thought of that because of an incident which happened yesterday (Friday) on my way back home. And I felt really guilty.

I always go home together with a friend. And we always talk of things--sensible, nonsense, hilarious, and anything under the sun. I do the talking and blabbing most of the time, and sometimes, my mouth was like a vehicle with no brakes--UNCONTROLLABLE. Some people may praise me for that, but some also are annoyed and even offended. The thing is, whenever I start to talk, it flows spontaneously to the extent that it's hard for me to stop. It's inevitable! Anyway, why am I digressing to my story?!

...So on my way home, my friend and I rode a jeepney, and all of a sudden, this old lady with injured arm boarded in the jeepney. She reached paid her fare saying "Manong bayad ho, Buendia lang" She actually pronounced the "Buendia" as "Bwen-ja," which, of course, got my attention, and started to give comment to my friend like the lady wasn't there. I told my friend, "why are some people mispronouncing 'Buendia?' Can't they pronounce it as 'Buwen-dee-yah?'" I didn't realize that the lade heard me. The old lady told me "Sorry ha. 'Buwen-dee-yah!'" and I quickly told the lady, "No. I was actually pertaining to her (my friend) father." Like what the heck?! What a lame excuse for a very obvious situation.

Honestly I felt really guilty. That incident made me realize of how insensitive I am to my surrounding, and that talking about or pointing out people's little mistakes is no good. And that "controlling one's self" should be my new virtue (Whaaat??!).

ME AND MY BIG (literally? LOL!) & STUPID MOUTH!!! The next time I'll talk (or should I say blab) again, I'll just say to myself: "Shut Up, Carl! And zip your lips!" >:-O

As Busy as Honeybees

The pressure is on.

Being a 3rd year college student is no far from being a worker because of our EVENTS MANAGEMENT. It is actually the highlight of our first semester because it is gravely serious--and I mean it. And yeah, we feel like career persons because most of us are appointed with titles and positions for this event, only that we don't have a salary. It's like we are doing this for the sake of getting an A+. Our grade greatly depends on this event that's why we are trying our very best to meet the expectations, not only of our teacher, Sir Arnel, but also the (future) guests as well. And now, we are like honeybees, buzzing around, very busy when it comes to planning and preparations.

I was appointed as the Administrative Committee Head, and it is not just as simple as many would think. Being one of the head means taking the burdens of the minor committees such as the personnel and logistic. Though the final say will be on the Chairperson, still I have to do some decision making before I propose it to him. It's not easy deciding because you have to take note of the external and internal factors that might affect the outcome of the event proper.

Well I'm not going to be a blabbermouth and squeal the information of our event. So it's still confidential, but after the event, I may post in my blog the happenings of our event.

Yesterday, when I took my siesta, I dreamt of our events. I was really surprised that in my dream, we are not taking the flow of the program seriously. Everything's not in accordance to our plan! We were fooling around like little kids and everything was a mess. When I woke up, I said to my self, it's a NIGHTMARE! So guys (3T5), if you are reading this. Let's not let this happen, let's not turn our event into chaos, alright?

Good Luck to us then.

By the way, at this moment (1:30 pm, July 10, 2010, Saturday), our event proposal is now SOLID! Ta ta!

Amazing Race EARTH-UST version

(Sorry, the "T" was cut from the picture!)

Yesterday (Saturday, 07-04-10) I had an amazing morning together with the EARTH-UST members. We had our first General Assembly and everything was unexpected. It was my first time joining University-wide organizations for a change, and for me to meet new friends from other colleges. I actually joined three organizations which is Red Cross Youth, Yoga Club, and this EARTH-UST. Another reason why I joined EARTH-UST is because I honestly want to be more aware of what's happening in our environment, and I also want to contribute in preserving it. When I saw their year-list of activities, I was really excited because of the many field trips (more on nature exposure) that they are organizing. I really think it's fun.

In the morning, I never thought that they will be grouping us by thirteens or fourteens, and I was separated from my friends. They're actually group mates, and I was alone in another group. But it didn't hinder me from making new friends. I tried to be more natural, which I think I did, and I had new friends from different colleges and from CTHM as well. I was really surprised to find out that a group mate from CTHM was from 1H2--the class which we conducted the campus tour, no wonder he's familiar. So after the groupings, we ended up naming ourselves Orange Tigers (veeery unique! LOL!), finding out that we are having an Amazing Race EARTH-UST version. Unfortunately, I didn't bring a handkerchief or a face towel.

The race was really fun, though the heat of the sun was intense and the running was very tiring. We have to run to different places in the University and perform challenges, just like the real Amazing Race, only that ours is much easier and of course we didn't need to ride an airplane. LOL! I won't forget the challenge where I performed it myself, the "bouncing-of-soccer-ball-in-my-elbow challenge!" I know I'm not a sporty person, but I did manage to do it. It was insane, actually, that I had to run really fast just to catch the ball using my elbow. Moving on, I think the hardest challenge would be the "finding-the-plant-using-their-scientific-names-as-a-clue challenge" (whew! That's long!). It's hard because some plants are somehow hidden in the Botanical Garden that a person would have to be really keen in finding it. We also did ticklers using recycled materials, learned different types of plastics (though it really did not register in my mind), and many more. Now we're on our way to become environmentalists! LOL!

I believe that those challenges were preparations or rather an introduction to what we will be expecting in the upcoming meetings, and I really think it's fun, only that it won't be a hindrance to my very hectic schedule, the fact that I'm a 3rd year college now. Toodles!!!

(me and my friends in this event)

*Images got from Angela Faye Arañes