Living offline means…

(because I’ve been updating my blog so poorly lately… )

… strengthening relationships face-to-face instead of face-to-computer.

… getting to know new people through talking and not tweeting/facebooking/stalking.

… experiencing/confronting reality instead of distracting yourself from it.

… creating stories instead of just reading about it.

… feeling and thinking in present time and not “real time.”

… walking around instead of sitting down.

… Thesis.

… Org.

… Acads.

… Life.

Oh, the stories the last month and a half could tell. For many different reasons its been a real interesting and emotional roller coast ride complete with unexpected turns, tear jerking lows and accidental highs. I don’t know if I can say it’s over, but somehow I’m surviving, with the safety bar placed to prevent my heart from falling into the pits of my stomach. And in an attempt to still try and seize the day and keep my sanity from falling out of my seat, I raise my hands above my shoulder while secretly shouting my frustrations and fears into the sky. This is so they won’t be with me when I get back down. Often interesting/exciting/tumultuous events cluster and occur together but are always offset by something hard to weight it down.

The experience feels like its only been a couple of minutes, but it turns out, its already been 2 months.

In the mean time, for the sake of life updating this blog, when I’m not doing this:

Long nights at Seattles -- my dwelling spot. When I'm online, it's mostly to work

In the last 2 months, living offline has also been (that i have pictures of)…

Fez's despedida. Leaving means going all out, not only for Fez but his friends too. Whatta night.

Keena's 21st!

Sam's birthday in the party-girl world of fiammuh.

JunJun boys birthday.

Casa nami rockeoke mondays! Joe "serenaded" aka publicly embarrassed me (which was his intention) aka setting the bar for any attempts by future boyfriends.

Model UN/ IS high school friends came up north to visit me!

Cooking with Cibbie! Kebab night! We cooked hummus and about 100 sticks of kebab. Too full to function!

What do you call a girl who cooks kebabs? keBABES. #corny but #benta, yes? (Or that's just me.)

Intersectional Interests

Below is the blog entry I wrote for Creativity and Problem Awareness by Mark Escaler. It’s one of my favorite classes I’m taking this semester!

I’ll probably be re-posting the things I write there on here. Take his class. Seriously. It’s one of the most thought provoking, interesting, practical and entertaining classes I’ve taken in my 4 years at ateneo and we’ve only had 2 sessions so far!

——–

There are two things I place high value on – having conversations and being open-minded.They are not mutually exclusive. I believe that the former needs the latter and vice versa in order to produce new insights that will enrich ones knowledge and give birth to different ideas. That’s why I love coffee shops. Although there’s a subtle aroma of intellectual pretension among the smell of freshly ground coffee, personally the coffee culture is the kind of intimate atmosphere that sets the right conditions for what Frans Johansson in The Medici Effect calls “Intersectional Thinking.” He defines this as:

When you step into the Intersection, you can combine concepts between multiple fields, generating ideas that leap in new directions—what I call intersectional ideas.

He contrasts this notion of intersectional thinking with the traditional “Directional thinking” which he defines as:

If you operate within a field, you primarily are able to combine concepts within that filed, generating ideas that evolve along a particular direction – what I call directional ideas.

Although the book is set within an economic context where intersectional thinking gives birth to innovation in products, I’d like to put it into practice and apply it on a personal level.

Going back to the example of conversation, directional thinking occurs when you talk to the same people about the same things because they pretty much have the same mindset as yours. In this context you’re merely relating to one another along the same line of thought and in a way, re-affirming what you already believe in.

I randomly found this in Xocolat, Katipunan. This is what i mean by coffee culture!

But when you’re open-minded, especially when you talk to someone who doesn’t have the same upbringing as yours, is when intersectional thinking happens. Whether or not the discourse reaffirms what you already know, the exposure to something different generates the insight that will give birth to a new way of looking at the world.

However, it’s not enough to merely look at things differently, to let these coffee shop ideas simmer in your mind then get cold. You have to act on it in order for something revolutionary to occur.

This is exactly what Steve Jobs did with the iPod Revolution. His pioneering attempt to integrate different fields like lifestyle, music, technology and computers has launched a cultural revolution of people wired on intersectional thinking.That one random calligraphy class he took that was unrelated to his overall career path is what inspired the aesthetic interface that sets the ipod stylishly apart from its competitors today.

Essentially what struck me about the video was that it’s not enough to have ideas. You need to have the balls to pursue it, just the way Steve Jobs did. Johansson says that innovation occurs only when the creative idea has become realized. If you want to survive in this constantly changing and highly dynamic digital age, directional thinking wont cut it. It’s not competitive enough.

Intersectional thinking is the key to growth, whether it’s on a personal or economic level. The common ground is that you have to be open to the experiences of others. But it all starts with having a conversation with different kinds of people. You’ll be surprised at the points of common– sorry, intersectional interest you can arrive at. If you have the audacity to act on it, then it has the power to change the world.

Love the teacher, hate the QPI

BV likes company. Mara & I after a particularly bad week.

One afternoon in Starbucks when I was sulking about my crappy academic performance to Lena I remember her telling me something like: Ikaw kasi, you always have to make it harder for yourself. You get the hard teachers and take Saturday classes.

Case and point: 3 things that unfortunately made my second semester junior year memorable

1. Getting kicked out of Fr. Dacanay’s class because that one time I wasn’t prepared for class was the day he decided to ask me a question that I didn’t know the answer to.

Although, yes, he’s known for throwing students out, I promise that no, I really am not a bad student and I hope that my subsequent sentence of defense doesn’t come off as whiny or that I’m making an excuse. He just caught me at a particular hellish week of school. Lesson learned. That little voice in my head now sounds like Fr. Dacanay.

2. Failing a test/ actual fear of failing a subject aka Philippine history with Fr. Arcillia despite intense efforts at studying. Do. Not. Take. Him. Ever. I hate having to succumb to the mediocre standards of  ”I just want to pass” mentality. He is intelligent, but he’s terrible at teaching and a beast with grading.

3. No matter how great Ms. Nanagas is and how much I learned in integrated marketing communication, I am reconsidering taking Saturday classes in the future. I realized how much I wanted my weekend back for sleeping in.

Despite knowing how particularly hellish second sem would be for communication juniors I took these classes/ teachers out of choice. What the heck was I thinking right? Either I’m an idiot or overly ambitious (or stuck with the last batch of enlistment)

But now that junior year is officially over and done with and my finals week has happily been thrown in the trash can, in retrospect I did learn a lot. Although I might sound like a nerd, while studying for finals at 3 in the morning with my eyes just begging for sleep, it’s actually amazing/enjoyable to see the subject in its entirety, how each component of the subject progressively work towards putting together the bigger picture and that you’ve actually retained the past lessons. That’s the point of school isn’t it it?

Well, it helps when you have good teachers who can lovingly drill and/or inspire their lectures into your brain. Luckily I did for all my subjects sans that dictator of a history teacher. Most of the time their nuggets of wisdom, insight and knowledge are more valuable than the sleep you sometimes lose for them and the grades you slave over to get from them.

I may not love my incoming QPI but if there’s one thing i loved were my teachers.

"If you can say it in a nutshell, then it should stay in a nutshell"

Philosophy, Dr. Garcia

Although a little incomprehensible at times, Doc G’s lectures made an impression on me the way only genuine teachers can. 2 semesters with this kind hearted sensai/yoda-like teacher & err verbose/eloquent classmates made learning philosophy enjoyable & memorable!

Kinda sad that it’s over, but hey at least i genuinely learned something! Like that “garaponating” is not a real word HAHA

A classmate giving an example about sex: "When you have sex.." Fr. D: "Can you please change your pronoun. I can't have sex"

Theology, Fr. Dacanay

I would’ve taken a picture with Fr. Dacanay after my orals except it’s hard to when you have a face like that staring back at you.

Fr. Dacanay is a legend for a reason. What I look forward to about his class is not only his extremely interesting insights and lectures but his hilarious stories and wisecracking side-comments! He is definitely a character, particularly one that looks like a Simpsons character. You will never get bored in class. Ever. I never was.

"Learn the rules like a master, then break them like an artist"

Jim Paredes, Issues in Presentation and Performance

Although his class is not as academically heavy as the rest of my subjects, learning from Jim Paredes is like learning about life. He is genuinely such an inspiring and dynamic person filled with all kinds of good vibrations. I enjoyed his class because like me, he knows the value of spirituality. How many teachers send you an email about an upcoming gig that we might enjoy or invites you back to his house to jam?

Too many quotable quotes from his class.

IMC is like a philosophy for life.

Integrated Marketing Communications, Ms. Nanagas

You know that a class has changed the way you look at things when you’re sitting in the dentist’s office and unconsciously start thinking about all the brand contact points that make the experience actually enjoyable.

Although it got pretty redundant towards the end, Ms. Nanagas is the perfect teacher to teach IMC. She knows her consumer/students, which is why despite her strands of silver hair, she talks to us in a lingo that we young kids can understand.

Don’t worry, be happy

Waiting in vain in UP

It was a Thursday afternoon. Mara had just left me for her high school friends and my mood was still ripe from the conversation we had earlier. So, I decided to spend the next hour or so snuggled comfortably in one of those Starbucks couches, with my legs slung over one arm of the chair , my back to the other arm and my nose in my book.

Maybe it was the cool of the aircon on a hot day, or the chance to finally have some time for myself and unwind, but as academically crappy and stressful my week was prior to that Thursday,  in that moment I couldn’t help but feel so content with the simple yet enjoyable things that happened that week, or in generally actually.

It’s only been two months into the new year and 2011 has already been pretty crazy and unexpected. My dog died. My terror professors are showing their true colors – a red that’s threatening to put a scarlet letter on my deans list. A couple of my plans that I wanted for myself for 2011 did not push through. I’m mentally (and physically) struggling to get that “bora body.” Plus, juggling and dealing with the responsibilities that come with… well being responsible.

Whenever I feel stressed or frustrated a part of me wants to say fuck the objective reality that’s out of my control.  While the other part of me reminds myself to watch my language because swearing is simply just a futile purge of justification. It doesn’t get me anywhere. Luckily my conscience and optimism is always louder than my profanity.

Food for thought

This is why I love my Sunday's.

The first week of second semester, junior year has officially come and gone. Although I can’t seem to recall exactly what I did all those past first-week-of-semester-days, this one felt like the best one yet. It feels like a food-for-thought and not a food-for-fat kind of semester. I want to feed my mind and not just my belly that never seems to go away.

Here are a couple of reasons why:

Firstly, despite their impending workload and potentially hard grading system, I love my teachers and the kind of work ethic of which they preach. I’m a sucker for teachers who are great educators.

Although I’ve been called crazy by a few people for doing this, I was able to successfully load rev into the legendary Fr. Dacanay’s Theology class. 2 classes in and I have no regrets. Sure he looks intimidating from afar (or up close given that I’ve made a personal trip to his office regarding transferring), but the moment he starts lecturing you forget the intimidation because it turns into an education that you won’t forget, probably for the rest of your life.

I also have Jim Paredes for my com elective. Although our classes have yet to begin, I’m excited. I have no idea whether I’ll learn anything academic in class, because some have told me that it’s boring, but I’m secretly a fan girl. I want to learn from someone who lives, breathes and writes his ideals.

Then there’s Integrated Marketing Communication taught by Ms. Nanagas, a class I was initially hesitant on taking because it’s 3 hours on a Saturday morning. But I don’t mind saying goodbye to Friday nights and sleep-in-Saturday mornings if I have teachers who are great and fun educators.

Secondly, I’ve begun exercising again with Selina & Arbie to accompany me as running buddies. I’ve already conquered my first 5km straight! I now regularly run 4-5km straight (that’s 20-25 laps around Moro!) every week.

What amazes me is that 1. I’ve never been able to run this consistently and far before 2. I’m running without an ipod 3.I’m genuinely enjoying it! It’s one of those things that you completely do for yourself in your own time.

Eating at BURGER PROJECT, Maginhawa St. for lunch. SO GOOD.

Thirdly, I love my friends. From late night Amarreto Sour nights with my 2 bestfriends, visiting Gabe at the hospital,  and lunch dates, its been a laugh trip all the way. This is what I love about junior year – finally being settled & satisfied with some consistency.

With my 2 bestfriends on a different night but where we're equally as crazy as we usually are

This semester is all about food for thought, with school, my self, and my friends. So excuse me as I help myself to more servings!

Upperclassmen Upper hand

You can really tell the difference between freshmen and upperclassmen especially during the first weeks of school. The girls are overly dressed parading around the campus with their high heels while the boys have silly smiles plastered across their face as they discover the beauties of co-ed education. They travel in packs, marking the cafeteria and matteo up as their own, ultimately making it reek of fresh meat.

The upperclassmen on the other hand are those watching from a distance, amusing themselves with their new found seniority. We’ve lost the pretension of making a good first impression and we’re old enough to walk around on our own. And said with much satisfaction and conviction, we wait until our second, third or fourth year of the  ”first weeks of school” to finally get to utter to our friends: “Freakin’ freshmen.  You’re taking up too much space!”

But whether you’re a freshmen or in my case a junior, there are certain things about the first weeks of school that doesn’t grow old. These things still excite me almost as much as they did 3 years ago:

Thinking of my first day outfit, seeing who lost & gained weight, friends, potential cute classmates, buying school supplies, writing on the first blank page of a notebook, organizing my planner, etc.

No matter how old I get there are just somethings that never change while unfortunately others do – like the dress code enforcement in the library and matteo! But i’ll save my ranting for my g! article.

I know this post is about 2 weeks late but i’ve been pretty busy. But overall it’s been a pretty good. That’s another difference between freshmen and upperclassmen. Our faces already look stressed with org responsibilities and course work while freshmen  faces get to look fresh up until the first month of school.

I can already foresee a hectic year ahead but it’s definitely going to be a labor of love.  Click to see how my first two weeks went!

Yes, It’s on and poppin’

Summer days left: 7

After experiencing the world of the employed as an intern this summer, the question now is: Which do i prefer being – a working girl or a student?

Before officially ending my internship I remember my editor asking whether I was looking forward to going back to school, especially since for the past two months I’ve gotten to learn first hand from a classroom without walls.

My answer? Well, it’s a yes. Because as much as I’ll surely doze off listening to a boring lecture by a monotonous teacher and would much rather be covering events and meeting people who are much cooler than anyone i could ever meet in school, the bottom line is this: I feel like there are just so many things to look forward to this year such as ACOMM and g! magazine (to name a few) that will kick, push, pull and hone me into a much better version of myself.

For juniors it’s THE year to step up especially when I know that most of my friends have core positions this year, including myself. It’s something my blockmates have talked about in Matabungkay. As juniors we pretty much have enough experience to our name that we can’t use ignorance that as freshmen we used as our excuse for pretty much everything. As sophomores we could still get away with it.

Because of how hectic high school was for me I’ve been floating for the first two years of college, taking my time to test the waters before I dive in deep into my extra curricular activities.  But now, I’m finally ready to take the plunge! The currents might pull me deep into the undertow where at times I might find myself desperately gasping for air. But I’m a strong swimmer. And I know that there will be people there to rescue me if needed – such as Lauren my co AVP for the ACOMM projects department.

Plus there are my friends and orgmates who I’m looking forward to enduring the perils of university with. And there’s the other extra “stuff” that I’m hoping will make my school year the BEST it can be. In fear that I might jinx my chances by mentioning it here, I won’t just yet. But soon, I hope. Real soon.

I know I’ve mostly been posting pics of my lakwatchera side but my days have been just as full as my nights! It’s just that playing seems to be more fun to document than working and I don’t have my own camera (yet.) BUT as Idge says below in his ACOMM presentation we’ll all work hard to party even harder!

Sometimes I may prefer the working world, but I feel like I haven’t milked college for all its worth just yet.

So rain or shine, A’s or C’s, well-rested or stressed, whatever this year will be, I’m looking that bitch straight in the eye and saying BRING IT.