Is Being a Writer... BORING?

Whenever I say I am a writer who works from home, many gets envious. Well, who wouldn't? I am exempted from the hellish traffic of Metro Manila and I could always wake up a few minutes before log-in time and still not be late. But after a few breathing, they would eventually comment on how dull my work is. I don't meet new people and I am stuck in the four corners of my room. 

So sometimes, I wonder myself: Is being a writer really boring? For some, maybe. But for me? Never.

1. Being a writer makes me practice what I love doing.

I have a lot of pens and sheets of paper stuck at home. The most used application in my old and dull Blackberry phone is the memo pad (and the drafts for my Samsung). I don't listen to lullabies to send myself to sleep. Instead, I write. 

Basically, I love writing. I have known that since I was a kid. It is the only thing I'm confident at. It is the only thing I have. It is my lifeline, my passion, my everything. Take it away and I'll be a lifeless soul. 

So why would I get bored of being a writer? 

2. Being a writer exposes me to new knowledge.

Next to writing, my most loved thing is reading. I am a sucker for knowledge. I love discovering things about the world, about myself. If I could, I would just want to stay as a student for the rest of my life. I even read the dictionary, although that would sound creepy as fuck. But yeah, I do. It's fun reading the dictionary, especially if you call yourself a 'writer'.

Basically, being a writer requires me to do research. I could not write anything I have no clue about, after all. So I read a lot and read a little more. I am not being geeky or what but my brain is a glutton. It is always looking for food, which are new pieces of information.

So if I'm learning about a lot of things, why would I get bored?

3. Being a writer brings me to different places.

Truth is: I don't just read to be able to write. I go to places. As a blogger, I need first-hand experiences about the things I will write; and as a travel writer, I am looking forward to going to different cities - even though the company would not fund my trip. I've actually started on one: Singapore.

So if being a writer takes me to different cities, why get bored?

4. Being a writer saves me from getting lost.

When I went to Singapore, I never felt worried about getting lost. Well, it's not just because everything is accessible to the country; but also due to the fact that I am familiar with a lot of things already, way before I went there. I got that from writing different articles about Singapore's tourism. 

Now, if somebody would bring me to South Korea, I tell you, I could find my way around easily. Thanks, Manager Hyung!

Tell me again, why should I get bored with my job?

5. Being a writer makes me meet different people.

Most of my real life friends who I treasure a lot, I have met through my blog. They're wonderful people who share the same interests as mine. Let me be particular with Yuxing-Unnie, a beautiful Singaporean girl who used to follow The Angels' Haven. I could totally say she's a soulmate since we are basically similar about everything, and I finally met her (after three years!!!) when I visited Singapore on February this year.

Who said I don't get to meet fabulous people because of my boring job?

6. Being a writer allows me to make more money.

I'll be particular with being an online writer. I am stuck at home. I work for my full-time work from 9AM to 6PM; and then I do my part time jobs immediately afterwards. If I would, I could find another job which could let me work from 11PM-4AM, and that would be another source of money. I can feed my family, I can buy whatever I want, I can fund my KPOP addiction.

My capitals? Knowledge and determination.

There's so much to do. Why should I get bored?

7. Being a writer challenges me a lot.

There's this thing we call 'Writer's Block'. It is that time of the day, week or month when I don't know what to write anymore. So as someone who lives through writing, it is my constant challenge to combat that mood. 

And you know, challenges would always relieve the boredom in me. How come I'd get bored?

8. Being a writer makes me proud of myself.

Compared to other people, I have nothing but my writing abilities. As I've said, this is the only thing that I'm good at; and there is not a lot of people who is good at it. So I'm really grateful that I can write decent articles and blogs. I could even write stories. Not many could do it properly. I'm proud.

I swear, it's impossible to get bored with constantly being proud of yourself.

9. Being a writer makes me feel free.

I worked as an office-based writer and a proofreader before I finally settled about being a homebased writer. And without hesitations, I could say that my present job is the best among the three. Why? Because time is mine. I've got no restrictions. There's no CCTV camera behind me, observing everything I do. Social networking sites are not blocked in my computer so I could open it whenever I feel tired.

Furthermore, I could work while lying in the comfort of my bed, in my pajamas. I could eat, listen to music, watch a movie, smoke cigs, and do whatever - and still be efficient with my work. (Actually, I work faster with distractions, and that's ironic.)

On a more serious note, I am free because I exercise the Freedom of Expression the best. I could say what I want and not be judged (because I could edit it before posting).

I've got freedom because I am a writer. What's boring with that?

10. Being a writer does not take me away from my family.

Although it gets annoying at times, my present job allows me to be with my family 24/7. I could help/annoy my parents, bond with/get annoyed by my brother, and cuddle with my dogs anytime. Fun, right?

How can I get bored?

Come to think of it... A writer is usually underappreciated because it does not earn as much as managers, accountants, and other professions do. But that doesn't make it boring for me. Writing is still, by far, the most interesting job there is; and I have told you all why already.

Meycauayan Spots: Kyoto Ramen Station

Aside from Our Kitchen, another favorite dining spot of mine in Meycauayan is Kyoto Ramen Station. Located in Malhacan, it is a wonderful restaurant serving quite a variety of authentic Japanese dishes.

Some dishes served in Kyoto Ramen aren't here, so better ask Tito Badz.

Kyoto Ramen is owned and operated by Tito Valdz. He was a cook in Kyoto, Japan for several years before he came back to the Philippines for good. He's a homosexual so it gets more fun because he never runs out of stories, sometimes obscene though, which he will willingly tell you as you feast over your food. He would even teach you some Japanese phrases if you want. A really warm person!

The restaurant isn't really big. I think it has a capacity for only 13-14 people, maximum. The store interior isn't really that 'Japanese' but it exudes a homey feel... like you could just eat in the counter of your home as you watch your TV, while someone cooks your food in front of you. 

nice piece in front of me. ORCHIDS!!!

PICTURES UNDER THE CUT!!!

Live Life to the Fullest

July 19...

I was browsing through Facebook to unwind. I noticed Ate Sol's status. She said Mary Christene Nunez has died. I don't know how. It's not like I can just ask right away, because we weren't really that close when we were in St. Jude... 

After a few minutes, Ate Rose sent me a message on Facebook informing me that Ma'am Garcia, our librarian in St. Jude during my time and a close friend of our family, has been in the ICU for a week now, lying there unconscious.

Two different incidents... which made me realize two different things.

First, life is short. 

Second, life is so short to be spent on bitterness.

It is not a secret that I hated St. Jude Academy. I hated the memories. I hated the people. I completely shun myself from everything that concerned the years I have stayed in that school because of some prejudiced teachers and students who had turned my teen life into hell.

But as I did that, I didn't notice that I have turned myself into a demon I've hated for so long. My world shrunk because I was condensing it. I forgot that the ten long and painful years I've spent in that school had still contributed to who I am right now.

There were so much pain during my stay in St. Jude Academy, and I've created an ocean of bitterness because I was stuck in those nightmares. I refused to accept the fact that despite all those heartaches, that school had given me at least some memories worth cherishing. 

In St. Jude Academy, I learned how to write, read, and do mathematics - three basic things I know I need to survive this judgmental world. There, I learned the Art of Debate which eventually paved way to me, representing UE Caloocan in a national debate competition in Baguio City. In this school, I discovered that I love writing - even though no one gave a damn and I was even accused of plagiarizing. In St. Jude, I realized that aside from writing, I can also dance and I am good at it. In St. Jude, I met my best friend who I love so much for sticking with me and my craziness for all these years.

And lastly (no pun intended)... In St. Jude, I experienced the worst that everything that happened in college became simple matters to me.

The bitterness I harbored against St. Jude Academy had eventually turned into a very uncontrollable one. I blamed everything to it, that sometimes, I wonder if I was just finding an excuse to justify the actions of an unbecoming person that I am. 

It sucks that I have to realize all these things given the circumstances. But somehow, I thank God for sending me His message before it's too late. Honestly, I still don't know what I have to do so I could move on; but I think I'm getting there...

I am getting there.

Ate Mary, rest in peace.

Ma'am Glo, get well soon.

Koreanization 101: How to Make Sheep Ears!

[CR: 二货panw] DO NOT EDIT

I've always found sheep ears cute. You know, that's what Koreans do with their towels when they go to saunas or public baths. So I decided to learn it, and I realized that it was really easy I could use it for accessory everyday. hahaha.

Here's how:

1. Get a towel and fold it into three, lengthwise.

2. Take both ends and fold it as if you're folding your sleeves, until you're sure that it won't fall off. The remaining space between should fit your head.

3. Pull it slightly so it would somehow tighten. This would also make the 'sheep ears' look a little more of a bun?

4. Find the opening and your sheep ears towel is ready to be worn. :)

Excuse the table cover and excuse my fail tutorial. But I hope you got it. =) I used a smaller towel so it would be easy to take a video of it. =)

Here's how I look with it:

I know, I know. My face looked horrible. :) But I wanna see yours! :) You're free to comment! Link me your pics!!! <3

Philippine Voter's ID : AFTER FIVE YEARS

LOL. I can still remember. I queued under the scorching heat of the sun, without anything to eat just so I can register myself to be a voter. It was a horrible experience because it took us almost 8 hours in line and we still weren't able to register that day. Starving, I was totally pissed off that I just want to curse everyone there. I was just 18 then...

And guess what... I'm 23 already.

The fuck, yes? I don't know how efficient the Commission on Elections could have been but I really don't understand why it took a laminated ID (not even electronic and in PVC) five long years to be processed. Oh well, what do I expect? When it comes to knowing who won the elections, it would even take years too...

Hmm...

But no harm done, at all. I've got my passport anyway so this comes quite useless to me if I were to base its worth on the five years that passed. I've got my passport like a month and a half after I applied for it, and that was the best thing to use to prove my identity.

So yeah, COMELEC.. No harm done. I just pray for efficiency next time. What happened with the defective PCOS machines anyway? 

Am I Really for Marriage?

Ask me to list down things I wanted to do with my life and you'll notice that the last thing I wish to happen is for me to get married and have a family. I know you'd raise your eyebrow on me thinking that I'm one crazy woman, but I really am convinced that I don't want it. Romance and marriage might really be very beautiful things, but honestly, it's not... to me.

But recently, I just saw myself thinking about different what if's. What if I find someone? What if someone manages to break through my defenses? What if Cupid really make it rain arrows to shoot me? What if... What if... What if I'm really for the married life?

This started actually when I was in church, waiting for the mass to start. I was thinking about other things (okay, I was thinking about EXO's Kris) when suddenly, a mental image of me asking a 'husband' that we buy our own place - because both parties wouldn't want to live with the other's parents - appeared on my thoughts. It made me shudder; but to my despair, it never left since then.

Am I really for marriage?

One boring day, I woke up and miraculously wouldn't want to use the laptop. I then grabbed a 54-year-old self-help book entitled The Art of Living (Copyright: 1958) from my shelf and started reading. Then I came across an article written by Walter R. Humphrey for Fort Worth Press. It was about him, feeling so wonderful because his daughter got married. I can still remember the line that struck me: "It is nice to have a beautiful girl hanging on  your arm, especially when she's your daughter. I knew no one was paying any attention to me, but I beamed just the same." 

That comment basically stuck because it made me realize that perhaps, I don't want to deprive my father of that rare opportunity. I know it was kinda surreal, but that moment, I almost convinced myself that maybe, I really want to get married for my dad. Shocks.

Am I really for marriage?

Just a few days ago, the family was eating lunch together when suddenly, Mom tapped me for attention. "Someone's inviting you to their wedding," she said. It turned out that our 18-year-old neighbor got pregnant and will get wed on my birthday. The conversation ended as my mom knew that I have no plans on going, but I almost gagged on my food when she told me that she wanted grandchildren already. If she's telling me to get pregnant too, I don't want to think anymore. I told her not to expect anything from me but she just told me - and basically insisted - that I should get married. What the fuck.

Am I really for marriage?

I woke up one morning and suddenly picked my phone to read my drafts. I never do that, so I was surprised when I came into my senses. I was reading a quote from Reader's Digest which I have saved there since I don't know when: "Women cannot find peace of mind unless she has experienced sexuality's spiritual significance in the union of a man and a woman." And guess what, peace of mind is one of my major petitions whenever I pray the novenas to Our Lady of Perpetual Help and St. Jude Thaddeus. Wow.

Am I really for marriage?

To be honest, I would want to get married if I can. But you know, a lot of things had happened in the past that greatly affects the way I perceive this aspect of life. Many people would insist that marriage is a lovely thing and romance is a very good thing to experience, but what if... what if... what if it's just not for me?

I'm not closing my heart though. I'm open to the idea of falling in love. But unless someone really is brave and perseverant enough to change my perspectives in life, and would not give up easily (because trust me, I HAVE NEVER MET ANYONE YET WHO WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THAT), my thoughts about this thing called 'romance' and 'marriage' would never cease.

Meycauayan Spots: Our Kitchen

Really. There is not much to go to in Meycauayan, as believed by a lot of people. As it is the closest Bulacan town in Manila, many would just opt to spend a little more time travelling to get to where everyone prefers to go to.

But as I am very lazy when it comes to travelling, I try to find the best spots in my town so I wouldn't have to go far... And one of my most recent finds is OUR KITCHEN, a newly-established Italian restaurant owned by a pair of entrepreneurs (French and Filipino). I think that explains the copy 'where East meets West', yes?

That One Spark of Hope for the Philippines

Maybe it's not bad to admit that I almost lost hope with my country. Thanks to the skyrocketing prices in the market, the incessant crime incidents, the continuous rise of fares and bills, the widespread corruption, and the insolence of most of the people, I have thought of leaving this nation - FOR REAL - for something else. All those issues got into me that there is a constant whirlwind of emotions in my head all the time. To me, it got tiring to be a Filipino; and I though I no longer want to be one.

Being a 22-year old lay person whose key personality lies on the fact that she doesn't want too much negative in her life, what do you expect from me? I stay away from bad vibes but the Philippine society won't let me. Everyday, I wake up to news about how a riding tandem shot a man dead, how another country would bully my country to no end, how the president would ridiculously hit on his critics and corrupt cabinet members everytime he gets the chance in front of the podium, how an actress would forget that she is supposed to be a role model to people because she wouldn't stop acting uneducated on twitter, how the squatters would kill to defend their non-existent rights over pieces of land that were never theirs to begin with, how the activists would ALWAYS find reasons to go to the streets for rallies for the lame reason that they want to be heard, and so on and so forth. Tell me, who wouldn't get tired?

nirvana

I was so close to really telling myself that I hate being a Filipino; but on the most unlikely place, I realized that I will never have the heart to turn my back on my roots.

Last February, I went to Singapore to watch Super Show 4. It's a concert of Super Junior, a popular Korean group who I've been stanning for almost five years now. Many of you might think it ridiculous; but I went there because there's not going to be one in Manila.

Now let me give you a little background to connect these matters. Fangirls find this indefinable joy whenever their idols mention their country's name. In the case of Super Junior, being referred to as the 'FILIFIN ELF' is enough. However, in Singapore, I didn't hear that; and it made my heart ache when I realized that I would never get to hear that when I'm in a country that's not the Philippines.

Lame and a very funny story, right? But you know, when I came back to the Philippines, I realized my position. I have no choice but to be a Filipino because I AM A FILIPINO. It's not like I can easily get that off my system even when I want to. So why not just accept the fact and turn the tides instead?

challenge

One day, I woke up feeling up for some challenge. Maybe, my job as a travel writer had contributed to that. I thought that if I am losing hope on my country, I have to find something that would bring the spark back.

That's when I realized that blogging is the key, and maybe I could help.

Inspired by the Koreans who never fail to market their country with pictures and blogs, I have arrived at a decision that I will do the same. Since I love taking pictures and I am equipped with this little ability to put thoughts into words, I think this plan would somehow make sense.

The Philippines is a beautiful country, environment and culture wise. There are so much to tell about this nation - from the folklores to the possibilities. There are more than 7000 islands to blog about, all of which feature characteristics that set it apart from everything else.

However, the conflict lies on the fact that good marketing is constantly toppled by bad ones. Thanks to the misleading descriptions of reports from other nations, judging travel bans to the country, and the indelible threat of terrorism, my challenge would be painstakingly difficult.

But do I give up? NO.

plan of action

According to Dr. Jose Rizal, the youth is the hope of the country. But is it just the youth? Does this mean that the adults who had grown accustomed to how their forefathers had live are exemptions? What if the young ones become adults too? Are we going to hope for another generation to take care of the role?

I respect my national hero, but I hope to make it clear that the hope of the country is its people. NOT JUST THE YOUTH, not only the adults... EVERYONE. As Filipinos, we are all - irregardless of age - given the responsibility to uplift our nation. To do that, we must find ways (and I mean reasonable and objective ways) to bring the Philippines back to the pedestal. As much as we can, we must focus on the positive aspect of this nation and not dwell on the negative ones.

It's time that we get rid of crab mentality. IT'S SO OVERRATED! We love pointing out the mistake of others, pulling them down all the time; but we never paid attention to our own mud. Geez. I hope that for once, we stop being selfish. That, I believe, is a must.

that one spark of hope

It's never too late for our country. Even though we're in this kind of present condition where everything seemed so hopeless, I believe that we can still find our way towards that economic success. We can still earn the respect of our neighboring countries, particularly the big bully; and draw the nation back to the world map. I believe that we still have the chance to make things right.

I saw that one spark of hope when I opened a link tweeted by Ms. Maria Ressa. It was from Rappler.com. It's a report about the economic performance of the country. Although I know nothing about economics, the graphs had made it clear that for the first quarter of 2012, we had a 6.4% growth on the economy. That's second to China (8.1%) and a few steps ahead of Japan (2.8%), South Korea (2.8%) and Singapore (1.6%).

That came from 3.2% (Q3, 2011) and 4.0% (Q4, 2011), mind you.

See? There's still a chance. Even though the government is very much attuned to bringing officials to court for graft and corruption, it's assuring to know that they're still working towards their promise of economic success.

Now, it's time that we do our part. As a fellow Filipino, I challenge you to join me and many others in bringing the Philippines back to where it should be. Let us come hand in hand in making the whole world realize that we are better than what they think we are.

Why should you do that? Because you are a Filipino. That, alone, is a reason enough.