Ladies and gentlemen, upon recommendation of the Council of Elders, I now make this blog private.
I can't write on an old fashioned diary, complete with lock and key. I've long ago forgotten to write in long hand, no thanks to a life lived with PC's and Macs. I realized that my thoughts ought not to be for public consumption.
The problem with private blog though is the danger that I will stop updating it. When you know that more people read it, there's a bigger chance for regular updates. I don't think the same holds true for a private blog.
O siya. I'm off to burn more bridges tomorrow. Hahahaha!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Life's a Beach
Spent Saturday at the beach with M, talking about random things, looking at a couple of white men trying to get a tan, stuffing ourselves with wedges and basically just bumming around. Wish I brought the camera with me. The beach wasn't as good as the one in Coron, Palawan, but it will do.
W said she didn't enjoy this semester as much as the first one. I love this sem. The classes weren't as interesting as they used to be, but this time I learned more about life, love, friends, music, and film. Made a couple of mistakes, especially in maintaining friendships, but I think I'll be fine. And she would be, too.
It's just that I have a strange talent for shooting myself in the foot. I always end up being misinterpreted. I shot my foot again this morning. My god. But hey, at least I learned. My god. What a sem.
I used to regret not studying in Japan. But yesterday, staring at the water, I have no regrets at all.
W said she didn't enjoy this semester as much as the first one. I love this sem. The classes weren't as interesting as they used to be, but this time I learned more about life, love, friends, music, and film. Made a couple of mistakes, especially in maintaining friendships, but I think I'll be fine. And she would be, too.
It's just that I have a strange talent for shooting myself in the foot. I always end up being misinterpreted. I shot my foot again this morning. My god. But hey, at least I learned. My god. What a sem.
I used to regret not studying in Japan. But yesterday, staring at the water, I have no regrets at all.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Recently Watched: Hana Kimi
I love watching beautiful people on television. This sounds shallow, but the abundance of eye candy is one of the reasons why I love watching Japanese shows. I’m such a sucker for cute, slim, Jap boys with amazing hair.
So it wasn’t that difficult to fall in love with Hana Kimi, a comedy about Mizuki (Horikita Maki), a cute girl who pretends to be a hot dude so she can study in an exclusive school for boys. Maki’s concerned about the fate of high jumper Sano (Oguri Shun), who was injured when he tried to save her from a bunch of muggers. How Maki tries to convince Shun to go back to the sport he once loved—and the goings-on in their school of handsome, mentally-unstable boys—forms the bulwark of the series.
What got me hooked in the series though wasn’t Shun or Maki, but Ikuta Toma, who plays the rival for Maki’s affection. Charismatic and gifted, Toma plays soccer athlete Nakatsu with so much charm that you end up rooting for him. You want him to end up with the girl—and if that doesn’t happen, you just wish he’d end up with you. And yes, I love Toma’s hair here as well.
Hana Kimi is actually more of Nakatsu’s journey. It’s about falling for somebody, giving them your best, being their friend, only for that love to remain unrequited. But unrequited love, and the drama it brings, is just so painfully addicting, that you still hold on to the hope that someday, something will happen.
My favourite scene in the entire series was when Nakatsu fell to his knees when he learned that the girl he wants will never love him back. There will be somebody else, his roommate assures him. But Nakatsu knew, like we do, that in spite of that, it won’t make rejection any less painful. The best thing to do is to wallow in your misery and in your heartbreak—then be grateful that somebody has at least made your journey through adulthood a little more colourful.
Ikuta Toma is the cutest bowler I've ever seen!!! Hahahaha!
Ikuta Toma is the cutest bowler I've ever seen!!! Hahahaha!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Argh!
The past couple of nights, I’ve been sleepless, no thanks to my former colleague and friend C. She’s been on line night after night, pointing out how I have mishandled recent events which should have turned out really well.
The thing is, I thought I was doing the right thing. Ganyan naman lagi, e. Maayos intentions mo, pero ending, mali. Palpak! Bwahaha! Dyan ako magaling! Bwahaha!
What I kept telling C was that these things happened because they—my friends--weren’t around to guide me. They would have known how best to deal with it. They’re younger than me, by one or two years, but by life experience, they’re a decade older. I have nobody here to ask about the situation. Sure, I have M, but the perspective of the whole gang would have helped.
Next time, C, I’m gonna play the cards right. I promise. But I really can’t do everything you want me to, because you're right, I am a coward. I can't put myself out there as much as I should. In spite of my protestations, I like things easy, comfortable, predictable. Anything other than that sets my world out of axis. At hindi ako si you-know-who! Wala akong confidence nya, no!
I’ve completely messed things up. The only thing I can do now is to learn from this, ok? Now get off my case and stop making me feel like hell. :)
I'll see you on-line. And in spite of my misery, I know I'm won't be able to stop myself from mentioning the dreaded topic. This is all about me, and you can do nothing about it. Hahaha! At tigilan mo na yang efforts mo na pagselosin ako. Sasabunutan kita pag-uwi ko!
O, here's Rhett Miller. Para sa mga talunan. Hahahaha! But you know, you're quite sharp. You noticed something that we never did. I wish you didn't, because the what if's will never stop hounding me. But who knows, right? Who knows.
As my lunch buddy DJ said, "Malay mo, sa tatlong taon...." Hahaha! Batang to. Isa pang paasa! :)
The thing is, I thought I was doing the right thing. Ganyan naman lagi, e. Maayos intentions mo, pero ending, mali. Palpak! Bwahaha! Dyan ako magaling! Bwahaha!
What I kept telling C was that these things happened because they—my friends--weren’t around to guide me. They would have known how best to deal with it. They’re younger than me, by one or two years, but by life experience, they’re a decade older. I have nobody here to ask about the situation. Sure, I have M, but the perspective of the whole gang would have helped.
Next time, C, I’m gonna play the cards right. I promise. But I really can’t do everything you want me to, because you're right, I am a coward. I can't put myself out there as much as I should. In spite of my protestations, I like things easy, comfortable, predictable. Anything other than that sets my world out of axis. At hindi ako si you-know-who! Wala akong confidence nya, no!
I’ve completely messed things up. The only thing I can do now is to learn from this, ok? Now get off my case and stop making me feel like hell. :)
I'll see you on-line. And in spite of my misery, I know I'm won't be able to stop myself from mentioning the dreaded topic. This is all about me, and you can do nothing about it. Hahaha! At tigilan mo na yang efforts mo na pagselosin ako. Sasabunutan kita pag-uwi ko!
O, here's Rhett Miller. Para sa mga talunan. Hahahaha! But you know, you're quite sharp. You noticed something that we never did. I wish you didn't, because the what if's will never stop hounding me. But who knows, right? Who knows.
As my lunch buddy DJ said, "Malay mo, sa tatlong taon...." Hahaha! Batang to. Isa pang paasa! :)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Manila, I apologize :)
I just got an SMS from my former prof who's spending the break in Manila. He said, "I'm here, I'm okay, and I'm having so much fun!"
In my last entry, I painted a grim picture of Manila, as if it's hell on earth. In a way, it is, and in a way it is not. It's a very complex place, Manila. If you're the type who's used to the comforts of life, it's not for you. But if you really want to get down and dirty, and you don't mind meeting evil face-to-face, you may find it interesting.
Let me put it this way. If Singapore were a person, she would be the A student, graduating on top of class, loved by her teachers. Manila is that bad boy,the one who barely passed, that boy who always made fun of you, whom you loathe, but whom you secretly want to date.
Manila is a vibrant city. Music plays a huge part in the lives of its people. It pervades campuses, and I spent a good part of my university years going to cheap concerts by some of the city's best bands. The city has a fledging independent film scene that has produced movies that has earned the respect of critics. Art is not taught. It's just something we live with.
Religion is a driving force in people's lives. Proof of this is the feast of the Black Nazarene, where people pin their hopes in God and in themselves, so that they may have a better life. Ironically, there is so much sex in the city as well. You can smell it in the smog-filled streets, and see it at the way the men and women in the offices flirt outrageously at each other. Catholicism produces repressed beings. And when you're repressed, some things happen.
Feast of the Black Nazarene. Yes, this can kill you.
Manila is unforgiving. It does not like the weak. He crushes them. But if you survive him, you can survive anywhere. He can break you--and make you. And in spite of his devious nature, the city is the home of really affectionate people. Something that I've noticed when I started living here in Singapore was how proper the people are. They usually keep their hands to themselves. But the people of Manila are very touchy feely. We hug our friends, even of the opposite sex. We kiss each other on the cheek at Mass, and even when we just greet each other. We care for each other too much. And we're not afraid to show it. We're too PDA sometimes.
I told my classmate S that I can't understand why Dr. R would want to visit Manila. S asked me, "Why not Manila?" Yeah. Why not indeed.
In my last entry, I painted a grim picture of Manila, as if it's hell on earth. In a way, it is, and in a way it is not. It's a very complex place, Manila. If you're the type who's used to the comforts of life, it's not for you. But if you really want to get down and dirty, and you don't mind meeting evil face-to-face, you may find it interesting.
Let me put it this way. If Singapore were a person, she would be the A student, graduating on top of class, loved by her teachers. Manila is that bad boy,the one who barely passed, that boy who always made fun of you, whom you loathe, but whom you secretly want to date.
Manila is a vibrant city. Music plays a huge part in the lives of its people. It pervades campuses, and I spent a good part of my university years going to cheap concerts by some of the city's best bands. The city has a fledging independent film scene that has produced movies that has earned the respect of critics. Art is not taught. It's just something we live with.
Religion is a driving force in people's lives. Proof of this is the feast of the Black Nazarene, where people pin their hopes in God and in themselves, so that they may have a better life. Ironically, there is so much sex in the city as well. You can smell it in the smog-filled streets, and see it at the way the men and women in the offices flirt outrageously at each other. Catholicism produces repressed beings. And when you're repressed, some things happen.
Feast of the Black Nazarene. Yes, this can kill you.
Manila is unforgiving. It does not like the weak. He crushes them. But if you survive him, you can survive anywhere. He can break you--and make you. And in spite of his devious nature, the city is the home of really affectionate people. Something that I've noticed when I started living here in Singapore was how proper the people are. They usually keep their hands to themselves. But the people of Manila are very touchy feely. We hug our friends, even of the opposite sex. We kiss each other on the cheek at Mass, and even when we just greet each other. We care for each other too much. And we're not afraid to show it. We're too PDA sometimes.
I told my classmate S that I can't understand why Dr. R would want to visit Manila. S asked me, "Why not Manila?" Yeah. Why not indeed.
Monday, March 1, 2010
The cost of an education
Now that I'm almost done with school, I'm facing the next big question: should I stay or should I go?
This is a beautiful city I live in-- it's clean, there's no pollution, you'll never lose your stuff unless you're really stupid, and nobody looks at my scarred legs. All in all, perfect. But there are social issues that may just limit my job prospects. The government has increased the levy a company has to pay for each foreign worker it hires. Singapore's government is doing this to slow down the massive intake of foreign talents in recent years. That's not exactly good news for many foreign students, I'm telling you.
Not that I don't want to go home. I super miss my friends and former colleagues. The Philippines still remains an option--an option I don't mind taking. Nothing beats working with wacky, irreverent creative minds, which Manila has in abundance. And there's nothing more comforting than talking to somebody in my native language without worrying that I'll end up being misunderstood.
I'm just really glad that if I do go home, I don't have any loans to worry about. I've met a couple of people who took out loans with massive interest just to study here. And while I salute them for their passion for learning, I would like to give an advice to fellow Flips who may think of doing the same thing: don't. Try to get a scholarship, like I did, especially if you want to study a liberal arts/communication postgrad degree. Worrying about your debt will surely keep you up late at night. Don't waste your 20's paying off your student loans. You may even end up in your 30's still paying them off.
If you plan to take an MBA in foreign institution, go ahead. MBA's are now dime a dozen, but to have that under your resume will surely open numerous doors. But a liberal arts, mass communication degree? It's debatable. I've met Filipinos here who never studied in Singapore, but are earning 4,000 SGD-- far more than what I can hope for, in spite of being educated here. They're earning that much because they're engineers. But it's still a little disheartening to know that they never had to study here like I did. And let me tell you, NTU was super stressful, at least during my first sem. (Now, I don't care anymore, hehe!)
So there. That's my advice: don't take out loans to study in a foreign university, unless it's an MBA. Or if you're really loaded, ask your parents to pay for it. Calculate the financial cost of getting a foreign degree-- because sometimes, it may prove to be a burden rather than an asset.
This is a beautiful city I live in-- it's clean, there's no pollution, you'll never lose your stuff unless you're really stupid, and nobody looks at my scarred legs. All in all, perfect. But there are social issues that may just limit my job prospects. The government has increased the levy a company has to pay for each foreign worker it hires. Singapore's government is doing this to slow down the massive intake of foreign talents in recent years. That's not exactly good news for many foreign students, I'm telling you.
Not that I don't want to go home. I super miss my friends and former colleagues. The Philippines still remains an option--an option I don't mind taking. Nothing beats working with wacky, irreverent creative minds, which Manila has in abundance. And there's nothing more comforting than talking to somebody in my native language without worrying that I'll end up being misunderstood.
I'm just really glad that if I do go home, I don't have any loans to worry about. I've met a couple of people who took out loans with massive interest just to study here. And while I salute them for their passion for learning, I would like to give an advice to fellow Flips who may think of doing the same thing: don't. Try to get a scholarship, like I did, especially if you want to study a liberal arts/communication postgrad degree. Worrying about your debt will surely keep you up late at night. Don't waste your 20's paying off your student loans. You may even end up in your 30's still paying them off.
If you plan to take an MBA in foreign institution, go ahead. MBA's are now dime a dozen, but to have that under your resume will surely open numerous doors. But a liberal arts, mass communication degree? It's debatable. I've met Filipinos here who never studied in Singapore, but are earning 4,000 SGD-- far more than what I can hope for, in spite of being educated here. They're earning that much because they're engineers. But it's still a little disheartening to know that they never had to study here like I did. And let me tell you, NTU was super stressful, at least during my first sem. (Now, I don't care anymore, hehe!)
So there. That's my advice: don't take out loans to study in a foreign university, unless it's an MBA. Or if you're really loaded, ask your parents to pay for it. Calculate the financial cost of getting a foreign degree-- because sometimes, it may prove to be a burden rather than an asset.
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