10 THINGS YOU HATE ABOUT SCHOOL

1.    Waking up early. Especially when it's freaking cold outside and all you could wish is for the night to extend so you could succumb in the warmth of your sheets. Or the booze did really get you and standing up in the moment is the last thing you would do...

2.    Running out of clothes. So your class is 7am and you woke up 6:50 and hastily get to your closet only to find out your ragged jeans is at the laundry together with all your fave stuff. Just reverse that shirt kiddo!

3.    ID misfortune. My university having no gates around its perimeter is very lax when it comes to ‘No ID No Entry’ policy. I had more than enough of this in high school though. I live 10km from school and forgetting your ID at the last minute means you better be absent. Darn!

4.    Surprise quizzes. Because you know too well how you will suck at it because you trade study with a gulp session.

5.    A greedy classmate. Those people who keep their notes to their own. Those people who do not share assignments. Those people who don’t tell there's a quiz. Geez, I could go on forever at this.

6.    Movie review. Remember those days when you walked inside the classroom and read the instruction on the board: Proceed to blah, blah, blah, watch blah, blah, blah, and pass your movie review next meeting. Like really?

7.    Lazy instructors. Those teachers who come to class late and leave early. Those who are best at giving students gazillion of reports and give no inputs. Those who only show up twice or thrice in a semester and ask you to pass assignments via email.

8.    Killer instructors. Those who are too good at their field of endeavour. Too good that you can't please them at all. And in a class of 30, only 5 will pass or worst none.

9.    Repeating the same killer professor. Not again!

110. Thesis. Here’s the deal. Group: Too many heads, too few hands. Individual: One head, two hands with self as the enemy. Enough said.

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Brewing Boredom

How to Spend Leisure Hours Productively

There is no question that we get effing busy once in a while but for sure, upon tidying up one’s schedule, there is always space for leisure. As unique as people are, there are a lot of options to choose from on where we are to put our remaining time and energy either for mere pleasure or personal growth. For the past few months, here are the few things I've involved with to remedy boredom and break life’s monotony.

May and June readings.

Reading books (always). When I was a student, I vowed to graduate on time so I could work and have additional hours for my reading. However, the reverse happened. I have less time for reading because I have paper works to finish and places to travel in relation to my job. Unlike when I was still a student waiting for allowance to be wired and could skip class in exchange of a gripping book, now I am earning my own dough and cannot merely say I got to pass work for a good book. I see to it though that I am able to finish 2-3 books a month to feed my brain cells.

The alphabet.

Taking a language class. It has always been my dream to learn a foreign tongue. It is also one way of meeting new people.  There are various institutions offering foreign language lessons in Metro Manila like  Alliance Française de Manille , The Bridge, and International Language Academy Manila. There are also universities that offer foreign language classes one of which is University of Philippines-Diliman. Their Department of European Languages offers extramural language courses. Other department also offers classes in Asian languages. As I have nothing much to do on Saturdays, I decided to take a three-hour session of French. 

Toastmasters busy evaluating speeches.

Attending Toastmasters. If you want to improve your leadership and public speaking skills the fun way, then I guess, you should try visiting Toastmasters meetings. There is certainly a toastmasters club in your area where you can club hop! Here you will meet seasoned speakers who are willing to mentor and give encouraging comments on how you could improve to be a better speaker. Members came from different backgrounds and fields of expertise.

My Top 10 Travel Essentials

Travelling light and easy.

A hand-carry bag, a backpack, and a pouch—you could see me balancing all the baggage whenever I travel even just overnight. I have this disease of bringing my entire wardrobe for a two-day affair or drag a stroller if it takes three days or a week. Traveling light is an art and for me it took time to learn. Now, whenever I pack, I ask the basic question, “Do I really need this?” For a week of travel, I am now proud to say I can survive with putting all my stuff in a middle sized backpack. Here are my top 10 travel essentials.

1.    Backpack. A comfortable and durable one with a laptop compartment. My Swiss backpack has served me well for years. I choose one with a laptop compartment as it is convenient and safe for me. It spares me the hassle of hanging my laptop bag separately.

2.   Flexible pair of shoes. I choose a pair of leather booties when I travel for trainings and any others. It is always ready to go and can carry different looks. Pair it with a long sleeve and jeans and you’ll have a semi formal look. Pair it with shorts and  sleeveless and you are ready to go for an afternoon stroll.

3.   Wardrobe essentials.  Clothes made from light materials like cotton are preferable as they are fold-able to the minimum size without the dire need for pressing. Jeans, jogging pants, shorts, t-shirt, a dress, one nighties, and lots of undies.

4.   Toiletries.  In a mini handbag, I see to it that all of my basic stuff like toothbrush, toothpaste, bath soap, shampoo, mouthwash, lotions, etc., are all in. I keep a mini size of all those to save space.

5.   Water. This has not been on top of my list until lately. Unexpected things might happen along the way and water is the safest stuff you could take to keep you alive.

6.   Headset. As a music fanatic, a headset is not a want but a need. Duhh, imagine a 24-hour bus ride or a delayed flight without anything that is preferable to you playing.

7.   Book. Sure, there are ebooks ubiquitously available with the invention of Android phones or you can read them straight from the desktop. But I am an orthodox lass who likes to flip pages once in a while and who is obsessed of book scent.

8.   Scarf. It is always multi-purpose. Scarves can serve as your blanket or towel, if needed. It is also a great way to travel in style without bringing too much.

9.   Good sunnies. The heat of the sun and wind might irritate your eyes. With neuralgia striking once in a while which makes me abhor glares, I could say sunglasses are functional fashion.

10. Slippers. I have a pair tucked on the side pocket of my backpack just in case I need them.


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What I Hate About Boredom...

What I hate about boredom is that it fancies a lot to bring your sanity at the brink. Sure thing, there are a million and one ways to remedy it, but the playful universe once in a while purposely brushed one’s emotion to remind you of your imperfections. I know this shall pass. It’s gonna be okay, but at the juncture no books, no booze, and no band can save me. It is exhausting to keep on running away only to find yourself at the very same spot you are supposed to escape…

Brewing Boredom

Random thoughts from the desk of a creature bathed in boredom…

If life is a choice, where then are the options? If there could be any, I would say such options are limited. As limited as only choosing between A and B when C is supposed to be part of it.

As in the penning of these incoherent rants, I wonder how prawns give me hyper-acidity  Or why coffee lightens up everything, or what book am I suppose to read next. Keep reading? You might be as bored as me. Hey, it’s cool to know I am not alone here, buddy!

It is just 22: 34 and everyone is deep slumber, drowned to their own dreams. I am tempted to do the same but the milk I chugged did not do its job. I am still pretty much awake littering someone else’s thought. I guess a shot of gin and tonic or whiskey will doze me off, bother to be a company?

It just hit me then to check out what I did productive today.  Well maybe aside from oversleeping that left me a bad headache, I did also call my mom which I only do when there is something wrong. Tick-tock! I passed the day with just that? Hmmp, would you consider it productive to have a new playlist? My deepest apology, Youtube, a kiddie just ripped off the play button. I might also convince myself that I got a fulfilled Saturday because I'm finally done with What Einstein Told His Barber. Wait, what did he tell the barber? That I was such a lazy bone today, passing even meals because I feel so idle to drag myself out from bed. 

Still there? Did you ever realize how it means to me to talk to you? Self-talk can be a crazy habit sometimes and it still puzzles me how I get to live those days when I need to deal with people.  Promise I’d be ranting no more…

Common Misconceptions on Pixie Cut

Boredom took me to the nearest salon.

For 20 years of existence I could not remember to have locks cut like Anne Hathaway's or even Dora's. Just the idea is enough to freak my Maria Clara mother out. Of course she wants her baby girl to have her crowning glory long, shiny, and black. I did have a few attempts to break the rule back then. Obviously, none of them was triumphant.

The moment I got my college diploma, I landed a job miles away from home. And being away means independence. And being independent means no mom ranting if I get a pixie cut!

Basically I have three reasons in mind. One, to get a cut that’s a bit distinctive.  It's boring to always belong. Two, to materialize what I long yearned. Hmm, sorry mama! And finally, to have an easy-to-go hairdo. With dry, frizzy strands, I really am tired of ponytails, and straightening, and hair relaxing, and oh finish the list for me.

Fright and wariness were not out of the picture though. I was so accustomed with long locks that a pixie might stare back alien. But it is between pulling it off or let it pull myself down. I have to be proud of my new cut! Yeah, it feels so damn light without the mane in my back.

But what pixie cut might connote to some…

Pixie = Low maintenance

That's a big lie. I need a trim every month or two, has to spend with wax, volumizer, hair sprays, brushes, blower etc. Expert pixie cut hairdressers are hard to find and a bit expensive as well. I spend less on shampoo though!

Pixie = NO to rounded face

It has been instilled in my 1 MB memory that pixies never look good at round/oblong face. Boy, I think I got a perfect circle I could substitute Yahoo Messenger's icon. But who cares!

Pixie = Broken-hearted

I got mine prior to my break-up. My decision has nothing to do with a wrecked heart or what. It was purely experiment of which I kinda like.I can't think of going back.

Pixie = Lesbian

"What happened to her!"

"So you really are coming out?"

What's your order Sir err, Ma'am?

These are just few of the deafening queries I have to entertain when I am back to town or when I bump with former classmates and acquaintances. As if I owe them an explanation. Well, I should have been warned when the stylist asked; " Are you sure, you want to do this Ma'am? You will look like a lesbian." I gave her a dry, 'so-what' look. Would they ever understand not all lesbians like short hairs and vice versa?

Though I promised to grow my hair, I had it trimmed again five hours ago. The sweet shampoo scent, heaven-like massage, and gentle combing is so relaxing I could not resist the call of it. And so what if I have to cut my hair often? The universe knows there is nothing wrong with that. And so what if it does not suit my face. Stare until it wears you off. And so what if they thought I am heart-broken. They can’t help me out in case I am. And so what if I look like a lesbian? I could really care less. And it shall be a pleasure.

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Vanity vs Narcissism

Excessive pride in one's appearance, qualities, abilities, etc.-that is how dictionary.reference.com defines vanity. I really have no idea why I attached the photo and have vanity as my theme for my first post.

First, maybe to tell the world I have my vanity moments too. Second, maybe I just want to flaunt my new pair of shoes (definitely loco with killer heels). And third, maybe I am extremely bored waiting for my meeting that I could not think of any good topic but self.

Boredom made me buy heels.

Vanity is a kind of thing that is inexcusable to anyone I think. Our human nature just loves the limelight in various aspects. Sometimes, it is simply irresistible to advertise our emotion on getting the latest gadget, eating in a fancy resto, or hopping the pristine beaches in Spain.

Personally, I am guilty of using narcissism and vanity interchangeably. However, it had been cleared to me that a certain dose of vanity is a positive thing over narcissism. As define, narcissism is more of an obsession with looks, status, or anything.

But how are you going to tell if a person have gone to be a certified narcissist from being vain? One of my favorite blogs, Psychology Today diagnosed one to be a narcissist if he/she:

1. Got an ultimate self-importance (I am the most significant person in this room.)

2. Has lavish fantasies (Hey, I can do anything I want. I have the power!)

3. Believes she is unique (Nobody can ever understand me but those individuals of the same IQ, economic status, etc.)

4. Loves admiration to the nth level (Look at these shoes, they so cool right? There is no one here got the same as this.)

5. Is arrogant (No one has ever beaten my sale status. Stop trying man!)

Well I think there are a lot to add in the list but I think these are the most basic. 

They say posting of things about yourself is not a bad thing especially if you haven't trampled anyone's right. It is a way of expressing who you are. It is about branding oneself. The thing is maybe to maintain a healthy dose of vanity. This will actually inspire the individual strives to be better.