Changes and Cringes
Good day everyone! I've been going through my old posts lately, and
wow. Okay, can I ask you all a question? Have you ever felt very calm— like, you're having a normal day, a grand time... The metro arrived on time, you had a great lunch out with your friends, then suddenly
bam someone brings up that embarrassing story about your dark, emo days.
Okay, perhaps that was a bit of an overstatement. But, I'm pretty sure everyone has that cringe-filled era of their lives that is better off hidden in the shadows, y'know? Ah, but
friends! Now those kids? They wanna see you suffer. And that's also an overstatement, but you get what I mean right?
Well, this entry's not about me shriveling up and dying for friends' amusements, thankfully. I just want to talk about how time helps us change out of that cringe era (and for the better), as well as my own thoughts on that.
As I was saying, I've been browsing through my older blog entries recently. I first established this space in August 2013, so there's a whole lot of stuff going on here. And oh boy, my earlier posts were—
ugh I don't even wanna talk about it— IT'S SO CRINGE-INDUCING. I started thinking, was I really like this before?
And the answer is apparently, yes. Have you guys ever felt like that? Going through your own posts and photos from back in the day, and just wanting to sprout multiple arms so that you could facepalm much more intensely at your own naïveté? I once posted a short entry updating the status of Hetalia's production that was just a bunch of links and digitally typed screaming in my state of fangirling delirium. Seriously.
Why, Cossette, why?
And don't even get started on my first few entries. Having the power to control colors and fonts was too much for me to handle. I ABUSED that power. Colors
everywhere. Kaomojis
everywhere. Ellipses
everywhere. Tildes
EVERYWHERE. I was the weeaboo that present-day me would probably not want to associate with. I'm so glad I got out of that phase. Of course, not to judge those who type like that. I've just outgrown that style of typing, that's all.
Looking back at my previous atrocities, I can proudly say that though I may still have a long way to go to reach what I truly wish I could be, I
have been through many improvements, especially in my style of writing (begone, tilde obsession!). As a writer/blogger, this makes me immensely motivated to push myself even further. Who knows, maybe in the future I'd even look back to this post with disgust as I further enhance my skills in this craft?
As much as I want to go back and edit every single entry of mine that fell into any of those descriptions, I think it's best to simply leave it and let the world bask in the immature, kaomoji-loving, ellipses-abusing 13 year old Cossette of the past. This virtual abode of mine is, after all, a way of showing me being myself— me in all truthfulness. It would be a lie to say that I've always had immaculate blogging etiquette. I'm certainly far from being such a human as that. I am me, with all my flaws, my embarrassing past, and my ongoing process of self-discovery and improvement. It takes time, but it's worth it.
I hope that everyone will be able to view themselves this way. None of us are perfect (except fictional characters. Bucky Barnes is such a dreamboat ♥ ), and we are undoubtedly far from that. Flaws and all, I wish that you will be able to look at these things and use them as a stepping stone to be able to develop yourself even further. Yeah, it's not exactly the fastest way to go, but hey. It's a good start.
The Joys of Summer
Hello everyone! Finally, I am now on my long awaited summer break. Although, since I have to review for my college entrance exams, I still have to do loads of studying during the vacation. Ugh. Oh well, if I'll be able to ace it, then it's all gonna be worth it. Hopefully (^_^;)
Alright! It's been a third of a year since I last made an entry. Given that the last couple of months of the school year have been tough (a math statistical research paper? Yes, a task of torture), I'm infinitely glad that I could finally lift my head from the murky waters of school life and into the utter joy ride of sunshine, greenery, and twelve-hour slumbers that is summer vacation. Except, you know. I have to wake up everyday at 6 am to go to my review center. Otherwise, my break is going peachy keen!
So now that summer's begun for us, it's time to answer the million-dollar question: what are your plans for the three months of freedom?
WELL, actually a lot. No lazing off for me, because I'm going to go to college soon. Lots of prep going on. And since I decided to become a well-rounded person and take up a sport, I tried out for the table tennis varsity in school (I am yet to be an official member, but I am still required to attend the summer trainings). Then there is the practices for this musical we're having for school, which I am so excited about (*-*)
Speaking of musicals, the weekend my school ended (two weeks ago), I watched the musical of Les Misérables here in Manila. And, oh my goodness. Hold my teacup for me please, I am going to faint from wonder. Um, HELLO PEOPLE DO YOU HEAR ME IT WAS AMAZING (=´ ∀｀)/ I was crying at the end of the show. Or idk maybe it's just me and my sensitive theatre heart well then ANYWAYS I loved the cast as well, they were all so good I am going to cry again. Kerrie Anne Greenland is a stunning Eponine. And sparks, Paul Wilkins is asdfghjkl dude omg. And y'all Simon Gleeson absolutely slayed! Well, everyone did. I have nothing but praise for the musical <3 I am so glad I got to watch it (>//u//<) YO SINGAPOREANS, THEY ARE HEADED THERE NEXT. GO WATCH THEM OR REGRET YOU DID NOT.
Let's see, what else? Ah, you— my dear reader— may have noticed the use of Undertale music in my current lineup. Yeah, I just finished watching Cryaotic's playthrough of it last week, and I loved it! Man, the pacifist route is so feel-y and sweet and SPOILERS, a little grim at the end. I also watched Jacksepticeye's genocide run. So yes, spoilers abound if I discuss it, so I'll just leave that topic for another day. Anyways, if you do have some time and are curious about Undertale, please give it a try! The RPGMaker graphics might turn someone off, but what it lacks in graphics it makes up in the story line, quirky characters, and beautiful soundtracks. But hey that is but my view of it, pardon me if you didn't like Undertale XD
Now, back to the actual question: what am I gonna be up to? Yeah, aside from studying, I guess I'll simply be doing what I usually do during summer. Watch some anime (currently watching Sailor Moon. My inner 90s kid is squealing AAHHH), some Youtube, and just keep busy with my hobbies in general. Oh, and a little volunteer work ain't bad too! And I'd try to get a decent night's sleep, and just enjoy the days I could run around the yard with my dog, bask in sunshine (put on sunblock, people!), and feel the nice and quiet breezy rural village-esque vibe my neighborhood has. Summer is amazing people, get out of your houses and enjoy (while staying cool and hydrated. Even if you're not moving around, drink some water)!
Well, I'm in a chipper mood today so I ought to stop here before I ramble on. This post is already longer than what I usually write, I think (^_^;) Imma try to be back with another post some time!~ Feel free to comment down below and tell me how your summer is going, and what your plans are gonna be \(^0^)/ And if not, well then simply do tell what your ideal summer is like >:3
Hm, I suppose that will be all for now. See you guys soon, and thank you for sticking around. Have a great day! (> u <)/
Labels: summer, theatre
Resolutions and Expectations
Hello all! At long last, it is the awaited beginning of a new year. This post is long overdue, but let's pretend it's on time As 2015 has come to a close, we have all gone through our ups and downs, our own share of troubles, and most certainly a fair share of misadventures. But cheers to 2016, which I hope won't be as awful as 2015! Here is to many more experiences, fun, sorrows, dreams, love, and laughter that will shape us as we drive through the beautiful, twisty road of life.
Of course, despite new beginnings, there are still some regrets that have burdened me as the old has gone. There were many things that I was still unable to accomplish in 2015. I still haven't become proficient with my languages. My guitar playing capabilities are still below par. I still have a marshmallowy-fat belly. And I gained 10 pounds. As unfortunate as the situation may be, there is nothing more I can do about it aside from trying once more, no?
Perhaps out of practice, most of us seem to be attached to the idea of a new year's resolution. The exhilaration of simply planning the feats we intend on accomplishing has driven us to push towards greater heights. After all, a new year is a new chance, isn't it? Some of us may have resolved to get a new job, or perhaps get top marks in class. Not that I'm saying it's impossible, but those orders seem rather tall, don't you think? What happened to last year's resolutions? Are they simply dumped, forgotten until you come across those promises which were scrawled in the back of your memory? I hope that isn't the case. Please remember to try again, okay? It's not too late.
Something I would simply like to point out is that, we don't have to make brand-new, probably unattainable resolutions every year. Of course, being able to attain such a high standard would be lovely, but the fact is that most of us aren't really capable of accomplishing something absolutely outstanding in a short period of time. A year, in retrospect, is short. One must go through a long period of time, dedicating energy and passion to your goal.
Well, I'm rambling on again, aren't I? The point is, just take it easy. We're all struggling, and you're not alone. It's okay to fail, to binge a little, to not sleep as early as you hoped. What's important is that we have a definite goal, and we stick to it. Maybe something as simple as "no snacking in the afternoons" or "say 'good morning' to your parents everyday" can make all the difference. And if you fail, just breathe. Sit down, pray, then smile and try again. Cheers to 2016!
Labels: musings
The Horse And His Boy
Hello, everyone! How's it going? It's already been around a month since my last post, isn't it? Ah, time does fly by quickly, especially when you're quite busy. Especially now that it's exam season over here, we got a lot of things to accomplish and submit...
That aside, I would like to talk about a theatrical performance that my church mates and I watched yesterday. It's a rendition by Trumpets Inc. of The Horse And His Boy, the third book (chronological order) of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. This book is about Shasta, a boy in the land of Calormen who attempts to escape to Narnia with Bree, a talking horse. Unlike the other books, the main protagonists of The Horse And His Boy are not the Pevensies. Instead, it is Shasta and Bree, who are later joined by Aravis and Hwin (the latter is also a talking horse).
I've already read the book prior to watching the production, actually. It wasn't the best book in the series, but I did enjoy reading it. I really liked Shasta in the book, though it took me quite a while to form a mental image of his appearance (when I was reading it). But I did like his clumsy personality. I found that sort of awkwardness endearing, especially in book characters. Needless to say, I have added him to my list of literary boyfriends (╯✧∇✧)╯
Aravis, on the other hand, was my #goals. Like ugh, a brave fighter and at the same time a sought-after maiden? Um, SIGN ME UP. Aravis should give me lessons, as she is the warrior princess I aspire to be. I ship her with Shasta.
Now, for the stage production itself. It was held in this large auditorium in the Meralco Theater. We actually missed the first part because of traffic caused by the temporary closing of some roads (thanks, APEC). Nevertheless, I had a wonderful time watching the two-hour presentation. The actors and actresses were amazing! Please, their skills are literally goals. The props and costumes were also really cool, especially the ones for the Talking Beasts (that's Bree, Hwin, and Aslan)! I'm sorry, I am positively obsessing right now, I cannot get over it. The play was absolutely smashing!
And oh, Shasta and Aravis! Please, catch me right now. Hold me back before I go on a fangirl speech. Their OTP score has absolutely skyrocketed. I shipped them, yes. But after watching the play, I was simply... surprised. I am also very sorry, but I just have to say this— Shasta is so cute. I like Shasta/Prince Cor ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
He was so adorable and I just wanna hug him after watching the play, and... Ffffff, I cannot even right now. I am in that phase. Sorry Shasta/Prince Cor's actor, I am kind of obsessing over you right now.
I also saw him up close after the play. I didn't ask for a picture or anything though. I was too awkward (yep, living up to the blog name).
All that aside, I guess that my takeaway from the show is the reminder that things happen for a reason. Just like Shasta/Cor, we go through a ton of difficult things. We may see ourselves as extremely unfortunate. But really, in the end things will work out. All those hardships are simply a form of trial, training, or test to further your abilities.
Well, I suppose that's all for today. Thanks for reading! Tell me, have you ever read the book or watched this play that I was talking about? Do share your thoughts in the comments!
Alrighty, until then. Ciao!~ <3
Labels: theatre
Mortality
Hello everyone. It is I, and today's blog post is a little more pensive than usual.
Last Thursday, I had a strange dream about death. In it, I saw my parents lie in a coffin, as everyone was mourning. Needless to say, I was as well. I woke up with a damp pillow.
Now yesterday, I watched a movie called "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" (it's amazing and infuriating). The title pretty much explains what it is about— a girl who can leap through time (literally). She uses this time-traveling ability to fix her past mistakes and avoid difficult situations. Although halfway around the movie, she begins to experience the consequences of her actions. One of this film's themes is "time waits for no one."
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| Yeah, screenshots FTW! |
Now, it reminds me of mortality (yes, forgive my morbid mind). Time waits for no one. In real life, we cannot will time to stop. It's impossible. If we're running late for an appointment, we can't ask time to stop for us. If we're having fun, we can't ask time to stop so we can go on forever. Time goes on, whether you like it or not.
There is also this one incident regarding Cyndago. If you frequently watch YouTubers, you may be aware of them. They are a trio who run their own YouTube channel. Almost a month ago, Daniel— one of the guys— attempted suicide. He failed, but still passed away soon after since his attempt did some irreversible damage.
Those who are in the know about them are aware that these folks dyed their hair with Markiplier for raising awareness for depression and bipolar disorder. Quite ironic, isn't it? They were trying to raise awareness for a cause that one of them was suffering through. We all didn't know. I suppose we cannot really judge, because I'm sure Daniel was going through his own troubles at that time as well. (You will be missed, Daniel Kyre.)
What I garner from these things is that time is continuous— life is continuous. It's constantly moving ahead, bringing us along. And, one of the things life brings along is death.
You may ask, where am I going with all this? Well, it's human nature to take life for granted. It's always present, seeing that we all have it. We never get to appreciate it and its value, because it is always present from the moment we're born until our last breath, and we only get to see it fade away when someone else's does. The bad thing about this is that it's usually our loved ones' lives we see disappear. But, we can't help them. We cannot do anything but watch because time waits for no one. It will always be too late to tell them what you feel. It is only at those moments that you realize you have to tell them you love them. I watched Markiplier play a game called I Remember The Rain, and he said something that really hit home.
"Tell the ones you care about that you care, because the problem with things like this is that some things get left unspoken and you never know... You never know when the thing you care about will be taken away from you whether it's your control or not.
So remind the people around you that they matter, and more importantly than anything that they matter to you. And you know, maybe you'll hear it from someone that you matter to them too, and that'll come right when you need it the most."
Things happen. Life sucks. But, we still gotta live life because just like what The Girl Who Leapt Through Time says, time waits for no one. The true value of life is one we only see at the last minute, but it shouldn't be so. I suppose you can never really put a precise value on it. It's priceless.
So what do we do about it? I think the opposite of the phrase works too— don't wait for time. Let's be honest, the right time will never come. This moment only arrives when you think it is, and when you believe from the bottom of your heart that it is meant to be.
We all know of
Shia Labeouf's extreme motivational speech, I'm sure. It's the video where he constantly yells out "JUST DO IT" in an aggressive manner. Honestly, we all probably laughed at it. The video is too ridiculously fitting as a glorious internet meme. In all honesty though, it's actually really inspirational once you listen to what he's really saying. There's one part where he says, "yesterday you said tomorrow, so just do it!". I believe this to be especially agreeable. Don't wait for the right time to do your homework, don't wait for the right time to choose which job you want. Don't put off life, because once it leaves it's never coming back. If you want to show people you care, then do it today. Don't settle for less. Help them carry their bags, or even just a simple hug. It's okay if it isn't a big grandiose event, as long as you do it.
I guess I may or may not be a little guilty of that too. I sometimes become rude and uptight to my own family, but I never get to show them that I do care. I take it for granted as well. We all sort of do.
Oh well. Perhaps it's about time we needed a wake-up call anyways.
Labels: anime, musings
The 36th Manila International Book Fair
Hey there everyone! (｡^‿^)ﾉﾞ It is I, and today we shall be talking about the 36th MIBF!
Alright, so what is the Manila International Book Fair? It is one of the biggest book events in the Philippines, and has been around for quite a while now (36 years). There's a variety of books to be found— from textbooks and encyclopedias to comic books and novels. Book signings and launches are also held, as well as other literary events.
I must say, I actually enjoyed my time there. I went on the 19th, right after my midterms (which I almost certainly failed). It was my first time and the number of people was slightly overwhelming, but I still had fun! I was fangasming from all the literature that surrounded me, it was absolutely glorious. Oh, and Best of Anime was held nearby as well, so you can see how much of a treat this is. (Although I wasn't able to visit BoA, I saw tons of cosplayers around and it was basically the best. Two things I love together <3). Now if any of you went to BoA, leave a comment and tell us how it was! I am curious! ( ^-^)/
All that aside, SMX CONVENTION CENTER IS HUGE. I LOVE IT. I do not have pictures, but trust me when I say it is. We had to line up first to get in though, as there were lots of other people too. The line moved quickly though, and we were inside in no time.
The excitement and bustle hung on the atmosphere, rubbing into me. I felt really hyped just being surrounded by all these books, and my kin! Aisles and aisles of books were on display: paperbacks, hardbound, they were all there. I even saw a Game of Thrones graphic novel which I ABSOLUTELY ADORED, but ended up not buying. Regrets :(
Now, as for the book signings. Colleen Hoover, the author of Ugly Love, was there! And ughh, KIERA CASS SENSEI WAS THERE >:O I MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET HER AND I AM FURIOUS!! Nooo, my beloved sensei :'(
Ah, and there was an interesting pen that I saw. For all the Chinese school students here, you must know of the Chinese calligraphy brush, otherwise known as the
mo pit. Alright, so I saw one. But it has an ink cartridge. Literally works like how a regular
mo pit would, and you wouldn't need to dip it in an inkwell anymore! Dude, that was mad awesome.
Now, for the books. What else is there to say? There were miles and miles of books lined up on shelves, and just as much people as there were books. I bought Zoella's book Girl Online (MY FIRST YOUTUBER BOOK), and a couple more others, including We Were Liars and Flowers For Algernon. My only complaint is that my copy of Girl Online had a small defect
inside the cover, which I only discovered after opening the book for the first time. Mind you, it was in plastic packaging so I wasn't able to thoroughly inspect the book when I bought it. I'm still a bit upset about that. Perhaps I am just a very unlucky person...
All in all, my first time attending the MIBF is definitely memorable! It was absolutely amazing, and I'd love to go again next year!
Well, that is all for now I suppose. Sorry for the late post! That aside, has any of you attended this event before? Leave a comment~~
I suppose that's all for now. Ciao! <3
Midterms and Motivations
Hi everyone! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧ It has, once again, been a while. But I've returned! ლ(́◉◞౪◟◉‵ლ)
Anyways, perhaps you can infer from the title that I am currently in my midterms. Then why, you may ask, am I here with a blog post? That's simple. I am avoiding responsibility I am taking a short break from all the work. Math was very arduous work, and it's fan-freakin'-tastic that it is over. Sure, I probably failed miserably and might have to repeat the semester, but that's okay! #BleakOptimism
I don't know why, but I find it sad how our society puts a frighteningly big emphasis on mathematic ability. It's just sad, especially for people like me who are inept in academic endeavors. I mean, I can't do math but I can write fanfictions. I can speak. I can present arguments. Where do my undocumentable talents come to use? Ah, such is life.
Speaking of midterms, I also can't fathom why we students are passive-aggressively asked to fulfill unbearablly high expectations. I mean. Yeah. I wanna learn, I wanna get good grades! But at this point, it's like it's all that matters, and I don't like it. Or maybe that's just my brain rage-quitting through ranting. I do not know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Probably gonna fail all my tests (￣O￣;)
Moving on, there is one motivating force that drives me to do well. The Manila International Book Fair!! I'm going there after my midterms, and will be meeting with a friend who I haven't seen in quite a while so I'm pretty stoked (╯✧∇✧)╯ I hope my wallet and grumbling stomach will forgive me during weekday lunchtimes...
Well, I better get back into the zone if I want to scrape by with a passing grade. I may do another post after the book fair, documenting what I have experienced. Hmm, we'll see how this works out when the time comes. Oh well, ciao everyone! And if you guys are having exams too, then good luck and God bless! May the force be with you all! (•̀◡•́)و ̑̑
Labels: rants
Changes and Cringes
Good day everyone! I've been going through my old posts lately, and
wow. Okay, can I ask you all a question? Have you ever felt very calm— like, you're having a normal day, a grand time... The metro arrived on time, you had a great lunch out with your friends, then suddenly
bam someone brings up that embarrassing story about your dark, emo days.
Okay, perhaps that was a bit of an overstatement. But, I'm pretty sure everyone has that cringe-filled era of their lives that is better off hidden in the shadows, y'know? Ah, but
friends! Now those kids? They wanna see you suffer. And that's also an overstatement, but you get what I mean right?
Well, this entry's not about me shriveling up and dying for friends' amusements, thankfully. I just want to talk about how time helps us change out of that cringe era (and for the better), as well as my own thoughts on that.
As I was saying, I've been browsing through my older blog entries recently. I first established this space in August 2013, so there's a whole lot of stuff going on here. And oh boy, my earlier posts were—
ugh I don't even wanna talk about it— IT'S SO CRINGE-INDUCING. I started thinking, was I really like this before?
And the answer is apparently, yes. Have you guys ever felt like that? Going through your own posts and photos from back in the day, and just wanting to sprout multiple arms so that you could facepalm much more intensely at your own naïveté? I once posted a short entry updating the status of Hetalia's production that was just a bunch of links and digitally typed screaming in my state of fangirling delirium. Seriously.
Why, Cossette, why?
And don't even get started on my first few entries. Having the power to control colors and fonts was too much for me to handle. I ABUSED that power. Colors
everywhere. Kaomojis
everywhere. Ellipses
everywhere. Tildes
EVERYWHERE. I was the weeaboo that present-day me would probably not want to associate with. I'm so glad I got out of that phase. Of course, not to judge those who type like that. I've just outgrown that style of typing, that's all.
Looking back at my previous atrocities, I can proudly say that though I may still have a long way to go to reach what I truly wish I could be, I
have been through many improvements, especially in my style of writing (begone, tilde obsession!). As a writer/blogger, this makes me immensely motivated to push myself even further. Who knows, maybe in the future I'd even look back to this post with disgust as I further enhance my skills in this craft?
As much as I want to go back and edit every single entry of mine that fell into any of those descriptions, I think it's best to simply leave it and let the world bask in the immature, kaomoji-loving, ellipses-abusing 13 year old Cossette of the past. This virtual abode of mine is, after all, a way of showing me being myself— me in all truthfulness. It would be a lie to say that I've always had immaculate blogging etiquette. I'm certainly far from being such a human as that. I am me, with all my flaws, my embarrassing past, and my ongoing process of self-discovery and improvement. It takes time, but it's worth it.
I hope that everyone will be able to view themselves this way. None of us are perfect (except fictional characters. Bucky Barnes is such a dreamboat ♥ ), and we are undoubtedly far from that. Flaws and all, I wish that you will be able to look at these things and use them as a stepping stone to be able to develop yourself even further. Yeah, it's not exactly the fastest way to go, but hey. It's a good start.
The Joys of Summer
Hello everyone! Finally, I am now on my long awaited summer break. Although, since I have to review for my college entrance exams, I still have to do loads of studying during the vacation. Ugh. Oh well, if I'll be able to ace it, then it's all gonna be worth it. Hopefully (^_^;)
Alright! It's been a third of a year since I last made an entry. Given that the last couple of months of the school year have been tough (a math statistical research paper? Yes, a task of torture), I'm infinitely glad that I could finally lift my head from the murky waters of school life and into the utter joy ride of sunshine, greenery, and twelve-hour slumbers that is summer vacation. Except, you know. I have to wake up everyday at 6 am to go to my review center. Otherwise, my break is going peachy keen!
So now that summer's begun for us, it's time to answer the million-dollar question: what are your plans for the three months of freedom?
WELL, actually a lot. No lazing off for me, because I'm going to go to college soon. Lots of prep going on. And since I decided to become a well-rounded person and take up a sport, I tried out for the table tennis varsity in school (I am yet to be an official member, but I am still required to attend the summer trainings). Then there is the practices for this musical we're having for school, which I am so excited about (*-*)
Speaking of musicals, the weekend my school ended (two weeks ago), I watched the musical of Les Misérables here in Manila. And, oh my goodness. Hold my teacup for me please, I am going to faint from wonder. Um, HELLO PEOPLE DO YOU HEAR ME IT WAS AMAZING (=´ ∀｀)/ I was crying at the end of the show. Or idk maybe it's just me and my sensitive theatre heart well then ANYWAYS I loved the cast as well, they were all so good I am going to cry again. Kerrie Anne Greenland is a stunning Eponine. And sparks, Paul Wilkins is asdfghjkl dude omg. And y'all Simon Gleeson absolutely slayed! Well, everyone did. I have nothing but praise for the musical <3 I am so glad I got to watch it (>//u//<) YO SINGAPOREANS, THEY ARE HEADED THERE NEXT. GO WATCH THEM OR REGRET YOU DID NOT.
Let's see, what else? Ah, you— my dear reader— may have noticed the use of Undertale music in my current lineup. Yeah, I just finished watching Cryaotic's playthrough of it last week, and I loved it! Man, the pacifist route is so feel-y and sweet and SPOILERS, a little grim at the end. I also watched Jacksepticeye's genocide run. So yes, spoilers abound if I discuss it, so I'll just leave that topic for another day. Anyways, if you do have some time and are curious about Undertale, please give it a try! The RPGMaker graphics might turn someone off, but what it lacks in graphics it makes up in the story line, quirky characters, and beautiful soundtracks. But hey that is but my view of it, pardon me if you didn't like Undertale XD
Now, back to the actual question: what am I gonna be up to? Yeah, aside from studying, I guess I'll simply be doing what I usually do during summer. Watch some anime (currently watching Sailor Moon. My inner 90s kid is squealing AAHHH), some Youtube, and just keep busy with my hobbies in general. Oh, and a little volunteer work ain't bad too! And I'd try to get a decent night's sleep, and just enjoy the days I could run around the yard with my dog, bask in sunshine (put on sunblock, people!), and feel the nice and quiet breezy rural village-esque vibe my neighborhood has. Summer is amazing people, get out of your houses and enjoy (while staying cool and hydrated. Even if you're not moving around, drink some water)!
Well, I'm in a chipper mood today so I ought to stop here before I ramble on. This post is already longer than what I usually write, I think (^_^;) Imma try to be back with another post some time!~ Feel free to comment down below and tell me how your summer is going, and what your plans are gonna be \(^0^)/ And if not, well then simply do tell what your ideal summer is like >:3
Hm, I suppose that will be all for now. See you guys soon, and thank you for sticking around. Have a great day! (> u <)/
Labels: summer, theatre
Resolutions and Expectations
Hello all! At long last, it is the awaited beginning of a new year. This post is long overdue, but let's pretend it's on time As 2015 has come to a close, we have all gone through our ups and downs, our own share of troubles, and most certainly a fair share of misadventures. But cheers to 2016, which I hope won't be as awful as 2015! Here is to many more experiences, fun, sorrows, dreams, love, and laughter that will shape us as we drive through the beautiful, twisty road of life.
Of course, despite new beginnings, there are still some regrets that have burdened me as the old has gone. There were many things that I was still unable to accomplish in 2015. I still haven't become proficient with my languages. My guitar playing capabilities are still below par. I still have a marshmallowy-fat belly. And I gained 10 pounds. As unfortunate as the situation may be, there is nothing more I can do about it aside from trying once more, no?
Perhaps out of practice, most of us seem to be attached to the idea of a new year's resolution. The exhilaration of simply planning the feats we intend on accomplishing has driven us to push towards greater heights. After all, a new year is a new chance, isn't it? Some of us may have resolved to get a new job, or perhaps get top marks in class. Not that I'm saying it's impossible, but those orders seem rather tall, don't you think? What happened to last year's resolutions? Are they simply dumped, forgotten until you come across those promises which were scrawled in the back of your memory? I hope that isn't the case. Please remember to try again, okay? It's not too late.
Something I would simply like to point out is that, we don't have to make brand-new, probably unattainable resolutions every year. Of course, being able to attain such a high standard would be lovely, but the fact is that most of us aren't really capable of accomplishing something absolutely outstanding in a short period of time. A year, in retrospect, is short. One must go through a long period of time, dedicating energy and passion to your goal.
Well, I'm rambling on again, aren't I? The point is, just take it easy. We're all struggling, and you're not alone. It's okay to fail, to binge a little, to not sleep as early as you hoped. What's important is that we have a definite goal, and we stick to it. Maybe something as simple as "no snacking in the afternoons" or "say 'good morning' to your parents everyday" can make all the difference. And if you fail, just breathe. Sit down, pray, then smile and try again. Cheers to 2016!
Labels: musings
The Horse And His Boy
Hello, everyone! How's it going? It's already been around a month since my last post, isn't it? Ah, time does fly by quickly, especially when you're quite busy. Especially now that it's exam season over here, we got a lot of things to accomplish and submit...
That aside, I would like to talk about a theatrical performance that my church mates and I watched yesterday. It's a rendition by Trumpets Inc. of The Horse And His Boy, the third book (chronological order) of The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. This book is about Shasta, a boy in the land of Calormen who attempts to escape to Narnia with Bree, a talking horse. Unlike the other books, the main protagonists of The Horse And His Boy are not the Pevensies. Instead, it is Shasta and Bree, who are later joined by Aravis and Hwin (the latter is also a talking horse).
I've already read the book prior to watching the production, actually. It wasn't the best book in the series, but I did enjoy reading it. I really liked Shasta in the book, though it took me quite a while to form a mental image of his appearance (when I was reading it). But I did like his clumsy personality. I found that sort of awkwardness endearing, especially in book characters. Needless to say, I have added him to my list of literary boyfriends (╯✧∇✧)╯
Aravis, on the other hand, was my #goals. Like ugh, a brave fighter and at the same time a sought-after maiden? Um, SIGN ME UP. Aravis should give me lessons, as she is the warrior princess I aspire to be. I ship her with Shasta.
Now, for the stage production itself. It was held in this large auditorium in the Meralco Theater. We actually missed the first part because of traffic caused by the temporary closing of some roads (thanks, APEC). Nevertheless, I had a wonderful time watching the two-hour presentation. The actors and actresses were amazing! Please, their skills are literally goals. The props and costumes were also really cool, especially the ones for the Talking Beasts (that's Bree, Hwin, and Aslan)! I'm sorry, I am positively obsessing right now, I cannot get over it. The play was absolutely smashing!
And oh, Shasta and Aravis! Please, catch me right now. Hold me back before I go on a fangirl speech. Their OTP score has absolutely skyrocketed. I shipped them, yes. But after watching the play, I was simply... surprised. I am also very sorry, but I just have to say this— Shasta is so cute. I like Shasta/Prince Cor ⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄-⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄
He was so adorable and I just wanna hug him after watching the play, and... Ffffff, I cannot even right now. I am in that phase. Sorry Shasta/Prince Cor's actor, I am kind of obsessing over you right now.
I also saw him up close after the play. I didn't ask for a picture or anything though. I was too awkward (yep, living up to the blog name).
All that aside, I guess that my takeaway from the show is the reminder that things happen for a reason. Just like Shasta/Cor, we go through a ton of difficult things. We may see ourselves as extremely unfortunate. But really, in the end things will work out. All those hardships are simply a form of trial, training, or test to further your abilities.
Well, I suppose that's all for today. Thanks for reading! Tell me, have you ever read the book or watched this play that I was talking about? Do share your thoughts in the comments!
Alrighty, until then. Ciao!~ <3
Labels: theatre
Mortality
Hello everyone. It is I, and today's blog post is a little more pensive than usual.
Last Thursday, I had a strange dream about death. In it, I saw my parents lie in a coffin, as everyone was mourning. Needless to say, I was as well. I woke up with a damp pillow.
Now yesterday, I watched a movie called "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" (it's amazing and infuriating). The title pretty much explains what it is about— a girl who can leap through time (literally). She uses this time-traveling ability to fix her past mistakes and avoid difficult situations. Although halfway around the movie, she begins to experience the consequences of her actions. One of this film's themes is "time waits for no one."
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| Yeah, screenshots FTW! |
Now, it reminds me of mortality (yes, forgive my morbid mind). Time waits for no one. In real life, we cannot will time to stop. It's impossible. If we're running late for an appointment, we can't ask time to stop for us. If we're having fun, we can't ask time to stop so we can go on forever. Time goes on, whether you like it or not.
There is also this one incident regarding Cyndago. If you frequently watch YouTubers, you may be aware of them. They are a trio who run their own YouTube channel. Almost a month ago, Daniel— one of the guys— attempted suicide. He failed, but still passed away soon after since his attempt did some irreversible damage.
Those who are in the know about them are aware that these folks dyed their hair with Markiplier for raising awareness for depression and bipolar disorder. Quite ironic, isn't it? They were trying to raise awareness for a cause that one of them was suffering through. We all didn't know. I suppose we cannot really judge, because I'm sure Daniel was going through his own troubles at that time as well. (You will be missed, Daniel Kyre.)
What I garner from these things is that time is continuous— life is continuous. It's constantly moving ahead, bringing us along. And, one of the things life brings along is death.
You may ask, where am I going with all this? Well, it's human nature to take life for granted. It's always present, seeing that we all have it. We never get to appreciate it and its value, because it is always present from the moment we're born until our last breath, and we only get to see it fade away when someone else's does. The bad thing about this is that it's usually our loved ones' lives we see disappear. But, we can't help them. We cannot do anything but watch because time waits for no one. It will always be too late to tell them what you feel. It is only at those moments that you realize you have to tell them you love them. I watched Markiplier play a game called I Remember The Rain, and he said something that really hit home.
"Tell the ones you care about that you care, because the problem with things like this is that some things get left unspoken and you never know... You never know when the thing you care about will be taken away from you whether it's your control or not.
So remind the people around you that they matter, and more importantly than anything that they matter to you. And you know, maybe you'll hear it from someone that you matter to them too, and that'll come right when you need it the most."
Things happen. Life sucks. But, we still gotta live life because just like what The Girl Who Leapt Through Time says, time waits for no one. The true value of life is one we only see at the last minute, but it shouldn't be so. I suppose you can never really put a precise value on it. It's priceless.
So what do we do about it? I think the opposite of the phrase works too— don't wait for time. Let's be honest, the right time will never come. This moment only arrives when you think it is, and when you believe from the bottom of your heart that it is meant to be.
We all know of
Shia Labeouf's extreme motivational speech, I'm sure. It's the video where he constantly yells out "JUST DO IT" in an aggressive manner. Honestly, we all probably laughed at it. The video is too ridiculously fitting as a glorious internet meme. In all honesty though, it's actually really inspirational once you listen to what he's really saying. There's one part where he says, "yesterday you said tomorrow, so just do it!". I believe this to be especially agreeable. Don't wait for the right time to do your homework, don't wait for the right time to choose which job you want. Don't put off life, because once it leaves it's never coming back. If you want to show people you care, then do it today. Don't settle for less. Help them carry their bags, or even just a simple hug. It's okay if it isn't a big grandiose event, as long as you do it.
I guess I may or may not be a little guilty of that too. I sometimes become rude and uptight to my own family, but I never get to show them that I do care. I take it for granted as well. We all sort of do.
Oh well. Perhaps it's about time we needed a wake-up call anyways.
Labels: anime, musings
The 36th Manila International Book Fair
Hey there everyone! (｡^‿^)ﾉﾞ It is I, and today we shall be talking about the 36th MIBF!
Alright, so what is the Manila International Book Fair? It is one of the biggest book events in the Philippines, and has been around for quite a while now (36 years). There's a variety of books to be found— from textbooks and encyclopedias to comic books and novels. Book signings and launches are also held, as well as other literary events.
I must say, I actually enjoyed my time there. I went on the 19th, right after my midterms (which I almost certainly failed). It was my first time and the number of people was slightly overwhelming, but I still had fun! I was fangasming from all the literature that surrounded me, it was absolutely glorious. Oh, and Best of Anime was held nearby as well, so you can see how much of a treat this is. (Although I wasn't able to visit BoA, I saw tons of cosplayers around and it was basically the best. Two things I love together <3). Now if any of you went to BoA, leave a comment and tell us how it was! I am curious! ( ^-^)/
All that aside, SMX CONVENTION CENTER IS HUGE. I LOVE IT. I do not have pictures, but trust me when I say it is. We had to line up first to get in though, as there were lots of other people too. The line moved quickly though, and we were inside in no time.
The excitement and bustle hung on the atmosphere, rubbing into me. I felt really hyped just being surrounded by all these books, and my kin! Aisles and aisles of books were on display: paperbacks, hardbound, they were all there. I even saw a Game of Thrones graphic novel which I ABSOLUTELY ADORED, but ended up not buying. Regrets :(
Now, as for the book signings. Colleen Hoover, the author of Ugly Love, was there! And ughh, KIERA CASS SENSEI WAS THERE >:O I MISSED AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET HER AND I AM FURIOUS!! Nooo, my beloved sensei :'(
Ah, and there was an interesting pen that I saw. For all the Chinese school students here, you must know of the Chinese calligraphy brush, otherwise known as the
mo pit. Alright, so I saw one. But it has an ink cartridge. Literally works like how a regular
mo pit would, and you wouldn't need to dip it in an inkwell anymore! Dude, that was mad awesome.
Now, for the books. What else is there to say? There were miles and miles of books lined up on shelves, and just as much people as there were books. I bought Zoella's book Girl Online (MY FIRST YOUTUBER BOOK), and a couple more others, including We Were Liars and Flowers For Algernon. My only complaint is that my copy of Girl Online had a small defect
inside the cover, which I only discovered after opening the book for the first time. Mind you, it was in plastic packaging so I wasn't able to thoroughly inspect the book when I bought it. I'm still a bit upset about that. Perhaps I am just a very unlucky person...
All in all, my first time attending the MIBF is definitely memorable! It was absolutely amazing, and I'd love to go again next year!
Well, that is all for now I suppose. Sorry for the late post! That aside, has any of you attended this event before? Leave a comment~~
I suppose that's all for now. Ciao! <3
Midterms and Motivations
Hi everyone! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ✧ It has, once again, been a while. But I've returned! ლ(́◉◞౪◟◉‵ლ)
Anyways, perhaps you can infer from the title that I am currently in my midterms. Then why, you may ask, am I here with a blog post? That's simple. I am avoiding responsibility I am taking a short break from all the work. Math was very arduous work, and it's fan-freakin'-tastic that it is over. Sure, I probably failed miserably and might have to repeat the semester, but that's okay! #BleakOptimism
I don't know why, but I find it sad how our society puts a frighteningly big emphasis on mathematic ability. It's just sad, especially for people like me who are inept in academic endeavors. I mean, I can't do math but I can write fanfictions. I can speak. I can present arguments. Where do my undocumentable talents come to use? Ah, such is life.
Speaking of midterms, I also can't fathom why we students are passive-aggressively asked to fulfill unbearablly high expectations. I mean. Yeah. I wanna learn, I wanna get good grades! But at this point, it's like it's all that matters, and I don't like it. Or maybe that's just my brain rage-quitting through ranting. I do not know ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Probably gonna fail all my tests (￣O￣;)
Moving on, there is one motivating force that drives me to do well. The Manila International Book Fair!! I'm going there after my midterms, and will be meeting with a friend who I haven't seen in quite a while so I'm pretty stoked (╯✧∇✧)╯ I hope my wallet and grumbling stomach will forgive me during weekday lunchtimes...
Well, I better get back into the zone if I want to scrape by with a passing grade. I may do another post after the book fair, documenting what I have experienced. Hmm, we'll see how this works out when the time comes. Oh well, ciao everyone! And if you guys are having exams too, then good luck and God bless! May the force be with you all! (•̀◡•́)و ̑̑
Labels: rants
Books 
My friends 
Homestuck 
More time to read books please 