Can you be like Rizal - a genius?

Filipinos make Rizal someone unattainable and not a model whon we can follow. If that is so, then what's the use of studying Rizal and not gaining inspiration and nationalism from him or his works? (Ay! Rizalist na daw si Mysue hehe, Sir Mactal kasi! hehe) Anyway, that's just what I learned.

Sir Mactal said that...
Rizal is not a genius (probably intelligent). Though we think that he is a a.k.a Promil-gifted-child, because he knows how to paint, sculpt, write poems, essays and whatever well, we forgot to consider his surroundings. Obviously, at his time, only very few people had libraries at their home, there were no distractions like television then and he had a nanny. He was well-off so the only thing he does is sit. Of course you wouldn't want to do that the whole day so he'd read all the books they've got. Plus, he had uncles or relatives who were skilled in the arts so they taught him when they are young. His poems and writings are perfect because they were polished and proofed-read, probably by his mom, and those that are so-so, he destroyed them. He decided to be a hero!

So the answer to my question is, yes, you can be like Rizal because he's not a genius. Anyone can be a hero. That's the point. So can someone please save our country from damnation (sorry for the term - just popped in my head)? Decide to be a hero now!

As for me, I have decided and my reply is..no thanks! :)

Everything has its purpose

Actually, i forgot about this story until my sister mentioned it. It's funny that she remembered it and I didn't because I was the one who told her the story. Where'd I get the story? ehhe from some priest (homily). Anyway, just writing this down so that I won't forget the next time. Obviously, this story tells us that things happen for a reason.

There is this girl who go impregnated (because she was raped, i think - i forgot) when she was 15 years old (or 16, i'm not sure). Though the parents did not want this to happen to their child and thought of this as a misfortune or a punishment, apparently, it did and still they kept the baby. After how many years, the girl got married and wanted to have kids of their own. However, this time, they could not because by this time, she developed ovarian cyst and got rid of her ovaries. If she wasn't impregnated then, she wouldn't have had a child. The end.

So, see...when times get worse, have a little faith. Everything has its purpose. :)

Giant!

Can't get him/her out of your head? Well, this is what a speaker, in one of the talks or seminars I have attended, said.

Just as the line "you can't do two things at one time" or "you can't serve two masters at one time", your brain can't think of two things at one time. So, if you're thinking about someone(A), in that instant, nothing else is in your mind but him/her. Moreover, if you're thinking of something/someone else(B), the former someone(A) is vanished in your mind. But if you keep thinking about A all the time, your mind will never think of anything else but A and he/she will be a giant in your mind. You will be afraid to fight against that thought and probably think, you can't live without him/her.

Thus, the only solution to your problem is...think of something or someone else. Keep yourself busy. And most importantly, do it now or else, that someone will become a giant in your tiny head. (That's the speakers idea, I don't know what's right and this remedy is not only for those who have hard time forgetting about someone.)

What drives you?

I was attending mass yesterday and unbelievably, the priest prepared a powerpoint presentation for his homily. Let's clap for him! pakpakpak :) Anyway, this is what he said about the gospel (Mt.4:1-11 - the one about Jesus being tempted by the devil after fasting for 40 days and 40 nights.). Ok, I know you guys won't read it so... here it is.

Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desrt that he be put to the test by the devil. After spending 40 days and nights without food, Jesus was hungry.
Then the devil came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, order these stones to turn into bread." But Jesus answered, "Scripture says: one does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city, set him on the highest wall of the temple, and sait to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for scripture says, God has given orders to his angels about you. Their hands will hold you up lest you hurt your foot against a stone." Jesus answered, "But scripture also says: you shall not put to the test the Lord your God."
Then the devil took Jesus to a very high mountain ans showed him all the nations of the world in all their greatness and splendor. And he said, "All this I will give you, if you kneel and worship me." Then Jesus answered, "Be off, Satan! Scripture says: worship the Lord your God and serve him alone."
Then the devil left him and angels came to serve him.

So Fr. Go said, if you think about it, why did Jesus refuse the offers? First, turning stone into bread when you're hungry...what's wrong with that? You need it to survive, is eating a sin? Second, falling down where everyone can see you. If you think about it, if Jesus would have done that, then Christianity wouldn't be that difficult to propagate, everyone would believe him right away. (For the last one, I forgot what he said ehehe). So anyway, why did Jesus turn away from the devil's temptation? Fr. Go said, it's because Jesus knows the intention of the devil. So you see, the 3 temptations are deceptions and in fact, these are deceptions on how we know ourselves.

He (Fr. Go) said that in the midst of knowing ourselves, we define ourselves of 'What drives us'. In the gospel, you can actually associate these things...
1st temptation - Money and Riches - Wealth
2nd temptation - Relationship and Recognition - Honor
3rd temptation - Power and Control - Pride
If you have the first as your drive, you define yourself as
"you are what you HAVE"
If you have the second as your drive, you define yourself as
"you are what you SEEM"
If you have the third as your drive, you define yourself as
"you are what you DO"
So, what is your drive??? If you have any of these three as your drive, then you would definitely be easily tempted.

So, I asked my classmate, Ellie, what should be your drive, in that case.
The answer: FAITH!

Born for It

My uncle just told me, "Mysue's not born to be an accountant. She's born to be a marketer." Ahem...are you telling me I enrolled in the wrong degree for 2 years now? hehe that's not my point and if you ask me, i'd still tell you, i don't know what i want or what i'm good at - which is true.

This just made me wonder, are we born for a specific career or we develop skills to our desired carreer? If we are really born good at a specific career but we didn't take that path, are we really going to be doomed? Hence, if we don't like the 'born for this career', can't we acquire and be good at something else? (Am I making any sense?) Moreover, how do we know what we are born for?

Okay since i don't want to end, always, with a lot of questions (reminds me of my Income Tax teacher who said I always have questions and that I'm so curious), I'll just say something. In my opinion, this is precisely why we take aptitude and interest tests during our high school; so that we can be guided in what career we are going to pursue - matching our interest and our abilities. Why? This is important because, basically, it would make life easier for you. You'll be happy with your job at the same time, you won't have a hard time because it's natural for you. You won't have to force yourself to a certain career (which you don't like or you have no skills for - like the majority of those who audition for American Idol). However, i don't think it is effective. I took that test and nothing happened to me, as i said earlier, i don't know what i want and what i'm good at.

So what am I concluding at? Nothing is certain...are you really sure about what you want permanently? No. are you sure you'll be good at your field forever? No. are you sure that you'll be happy with your current career? No. However, i believe that whatever you chose and whatever happens to you...it's part of Divine Providence - God had planned something for you. It's not for you to judge what you are born for (but this doesn't mean you don't set goals, only that you should also be ready to accept whatever He wants for you), only God knows. :)

Believing

Chinese New Year 2005 is coming up..McDonald's even launched Prosperity burger (haven't tasted it 'cause I'm not an onion lover. Hmm...haven't heard about ChowKing having any additional promo for the Chinese New Year.). What is there to remember about chinese new year? well, i guess there's 'ang pao', 'tikoy', and chinese horoscope.

Isn't it this time of year where even pure Filipinos get to ask or know their 'year'(year of the rat, tiger, ox, and so on). My parents are apparently experts in knowing what 'year' you are - just tell them the year of your birth and they'd start saying chinese words and counting their fingers (I wonder why I can't memorize the damn thing) and then...in a couple of seconds, they'd know. They don't only know what year you are, it also gives them an idea about you (If you're chinese, I guess your parents are like that too). Exactly! It's chinese horoscope.

How has chinese horoscope, or let's include feng shui, affect my life? Since I'm born on the 'year of the tiger', I never get the chance to be part of many wedding entourage (yeah, been a flower girl twice only). If you guys are chinese, you'd know why. It's because, year of the tigers are believed to bring bad luck to the marriage so, you can only be part of the entourage if one of the couple is also born on the year of the tiger. Feng shui on the other hand is very much evident in my life. When deciding a date for an event, we have to consult our grandfather what date would be best. In building or structuring a house, it takes forever because there are so many beliefs. and the list goes on (but we don't follow everything said, ok?).

Personally, I'd say that some of these superstitious are quite pratical. In fact, they are not based primarily on superstition. However, there are also some that are irrational such as those about compatibility. If you ask, why do we follow this? My dad would say, there's nothing wrong about it. I guess that would depend upto what extent you believe in it. If you believe in it, that it drives and revolves the way you live your life, I don't think that's good anymore. Superstitions are to remain as superstitions. They are not to overlap your faith.

I am a seeker soul

I tried the test xuzhu posted in his blog and here's the result.

I'm a seeker soul (just made me think, would i be a good seeker like Harry Potter.) Anyway, it says that...

You are on a quest for knowledge and life challenges.
You love to be curious and ask a ton of questions.
Since you know so much, you make for an interesting conversationalist.
Mentally alert, you can outwit almost anyone (and have fun doing it!).

Very introspective, you can be silently critical of others.
And your quiet nature makes it difficult for people to get to know you.
You see yourself as a philosopher, and you take everything philosophically.
Your main talent is expressing and communicating ideas.

If you guys want to check the test/quiz, here's the site http://www.blogthings.com/kindsoulquiz.html

The website also tells me that my name stands for...
M is for Mystical
Y is for Young
S is for Successful
U is for Unforgettable
E is for Exquisite

hmmm...

FTK

Yesterday, I joined in an activity called - For The Kids. It is actually a mini-olympics for special children. Me and my friends/blockmates, Lorelee, Nikka, Ellie, Mady, Grace, Kapst and Hana volunteered to join the activity. It was really fun and here are some pictures.


julius the bumble bee! hehe


the kids...hope you guys see julius trying to be in the picture.


this is edmund. doesn't he look like lito cruz in the tide commercial?


here's tolits again with the pa-gwapo pose


here's nikka and nicole. they look cute, don't they?


under the heat of the sun - lorelee and kapst


everyone having fun!

All of us, except Grace who handled an MR, had hearing impaired kids so we went to the sign language seminar before the interaction. Honestly, when seeing the kids, we never recognized that they were special because they really looked happy - like kids. They were super makulit, always running here and there and we would run after them around the football field. I guess it's not surprising that on Monday Ellie and Mady got muscle pains ehehe. By the way, Julius is my kid. He was like the leader2 of them all. If he'd sit, all of the boys would sit and if he'd run back to the field, they'd follow. The girls are...well, good girls. :) But, Lorelee's kid was also mukulit - probably because Lorelee's her idol eheh.

Anyhow, before the interaction I really thought I'd mess up because first of all, how'd I communicate with them. When the day came, the four of us, Ellie, Mady, Hana and me, all just said in sign language stop playing, play later, faster, wait, bad and 'hala'. I admit, it was really hard to give instructions to them when introducing a game...believe me. But as human instincts, our innate sign language skills, mine actually hehe, passed Julius standards because he understands what I want him to do...but doesn't necessarily mean he does it -- especially stop playing.

Though I really had fun, it also made me sad because when we asked them to dance, specifically Ellie to CJ, he actually said that he cannot dance because he cannot hear:(. See, they can't play newspaper dance or trip to jerusalem (which the organizers had for fun games?!?) Nevertheless, I am also happy for them because many love them especially their families, friends and God, and they are happy as they are. I just hope that our country would provide enough ammenities that are needed by these children.

Hope to meet them again next year! For those who have not participated, join!

Getting Over

Last Christmas break, I just saw my crush. Well, before I saw him, I said I was over having a crush on him. However, when I saw him, the way I acted was still like that of when I had a crush on him.

So, I asked my sister...

Why is it that even if I am over these guys (actually I felt the same thing with my other crush whom I said that I'm over him too), I still feel uneasy and act as if I still have a crush on them?

Then she simply answered....

You are not yet over him/them - you still have a crush on him/them.

Then, I ask myself, do I? and unfortunately, I think I still do, maybe not that intense anymore but still. How did I know? It was when I thought of my other crushes whom I also saw again but did not feel and act the same way. Thus, lesson learned here is that, sometimes, we mislead ourselves. Though we may think and say that we feel such, truly, we don't and we must accept it. Just like forgiveness. Though we repeatedly say and believe that we forgive this person there are still times, if we think deeply, where we can see that we really haven't forgiven him/her.

Even if we do want to forgive or get over someone, sometimes, we really cannot rush our hearts - that's why, I believe that time heals. :)


note to xuzhu: i already had this in my drafts before we had our little chat...just to let you know that i'm not talkin about your thing eheheh (you know what i mean)

OK! I'm thinking of scrapping off this article because as i saw my crush today, i realized, i think i'm over him already...i'm confused!

New Year's Resolutions

Definitely, as said in my very first post, people want to change which is why a number of us start the new year off with a list of new year's resolutions and oftenly, they never happen...what happened to last year's resolution of loosing weight? I bet it's still in your NEW year's list. eheh

Well, i was watching television (i forgot when), and I came about an interview of Dr. Phil. He said that for us to effectively change, we should not use the "will power" method but instead, "change our lifestyle". He said that the will power method does not work because you use emotions to motivate you so when you get tired or get frustrated, you easily give up. That is why, he suggests to change one's lifestyle - get out of temptation, make a schedule. Like for example, in loosing weight, we must change our lifestyle like make a habit of taking a jog or walk in the park for a couple of minutes a day or maybe to the extremes, live in another place where the people you live with have small appetites.

However, i was just wondering, for you to be able to change your lifestyle, wouldn't you need will power to do so? Isn't the reason of why people want to change something emotional?

Okay, if he's done his psychological research, i belive him. And besides, I didn't make any resolutions.

If we know we are NOT perfect, then why are we trying to be perfect?

I just heard this question this morning and it made me think. Just like saying, why do we want to be Christ-like if we know that we are never going to be like Christ?

For me, we are not trying to be PERFECT or BE Christ. I think, all of us (maybe not all), just want to be BETTER. And precisely why there is the 'like' in Christ-like.

What do you think?

P25 Christmas Lights

They say Philippines has the longest and earliest Christmas. As soon as the "ber" months come, everyone is on their way to the malls buying gifts and decor for the season, radio stations are starting to play Christmas songs and other than finals, you start missing home. Aint that right?

Talking about decors, everyone always want their place (may it be your home, office or even street) to be the most lighted. But how do you do that amidst an economy like that of the Philippines? Well, don't fret decorators because you can get christmas lights for P25. Wow! That's great! With the same budget I had before, I could even get the whole fence covered up with lights. But if I were you, I wouldn't be too happy because ... have you heard of houses caught up in fire because of christmas lights? Yeah? Well, they used this one.

Okay, I'm not saying if you get this one, surely your house will get burned. But, think about it. As my cousin said, "How could christmas lights be 25 pesos?" How much do bulbs, plastics, wires and labor cost to produce a series? Do you think it's 25 pesos? How about their mark-up?

I am not also saying NEVER buy these christmas lights (or am I? hehe). But just like the law of profitability, the higher the return, the higher the risk.

The question is...do you value your home or a loved one (simbako) more than saving money for Christmas?

the two sides of me

Definitely, we have different personalities within our personality. What i mean is, we may be like this in a time or place and another in another time or place. Some people say that if we act as such, we have masks because that is not our true selves, that we are hiding who we really are. But for me, I think it is not true that we are not being ourselves because in this 2 different personalities of ours, we become whole. Both makes us to be who we are.

As for me, (I think that there is a psychological explanation already available for this.) there are two sides of me which i probably would classify as my outside and inside the house personalities. It is a mystery -- for me, that these two are very opposite.

Outside, everyone thinks that I am this insensitive - I don't care about what people tell me and I don't care about what I tell them, not cuddly - I am not touchy, funny, noisy and diligent person. But the truth of the matter is...I am really sensitive - I easily cry or get hurt when i feel that people hate me (honestly), very cuddly - manya to my sister, serious and silent and lazy - always asleep, watching television and doesn't usually say no to family outings - at home.

So, I guess that gives you a little more information about who I really am. I do know that people don't believe it but I don't blame them. It's really difficult to believe what you don't see, especially if it is an attitude of a person. So, it's up to you to say whatever you think about me.

How about you? Who do you think I am? What are the two sides of you? (write in the comments if you want)

Philippines: One of the world's most corrupt countries and the biggest Roman Catholic country in Asia

There's two point of views about this. First would be...how could a Catholic country be corrupt? Second would be...is being a Catholic country the reason why we are corrupt?

Alright, here's the continuation....after 2 months!? hihi (by the way, I finished writing the continuation just seconds ago but unfortunately, it all vanished in one click.)

How could a Catholic country be corrupt? Precisely because Catholicism teaches us to be "the light of the world" - to be the model of everyone, to mirror Jesus. That is the mission of a Catholic. But no, instead of making Jesus as the masters of our lives, WE (yes, we because whether we accept it or not, we have somehow contributed to this sick corrupt society) have made "money" the master of our lives. If we are really true Catholics, how could this country be corrupt? Are we really Catholics by heart? or just by name?

On the other hand, who taught us "indulgences"? Was it not the friars? We were taught that paying for our sins will save us from hell. Don't you think that we are exactly doing the same thing as of the moment - paying officers to make things easier for us? Isn't it not because of the church that this practice has been instilled in us?

If you ask me? I don't know (FYI, I don't know is one of my favorite lines. I always don't know anything.) The point of this article is not to persuade you to one side but I just wanted you to think and reflect. :)

who's watching who?

Ateneo vs. La Salle UAAP men's basketball - the hottest and most emotional game (always is) in UAAP! With this game, many earn a lot, many miss classes or probably fail their exams, lose their voices and some may get injured. Here's an example of what happens in Areneta. (I have nothing against Ateneans, I even have great friends there. In fact, I would say that maybe, somewhere in that coliseum, a La Sallian is also doing that - or would we? =) )



Ahh!!! shoot that ball!!! 


Oh no! 


Bleh


Hmph!

Moral Lesson (for all those who watch Ateneo vs. La Salle games): Watch out! It's not only God that's watching you.

Coffee, Tea or Juice

I just arrived in Manila. When I was still in the airplane, I couldn't help but notice this silly conversation repeating again and again.

Stewardess: Coffee, Tea or Juice?
Me: Uh......Water :)

What do you think about that? hehe silly right? They could have just asked "What drink would you prefer?" or whatever because truly, they do not only serve coffee, tea or juice. But, nevertheless, at least the conversation makes you smile.

Right after we (with my sister), arrived in MIAA, we went to WTC because there was this bazaar and amazingly, I saw some of my classmates. No, they weren't there to shop (or yeah, maybe that's their sideline motive), but they were there selling...on their own. That's what we call the entrepreneurship spirit. Now, my question is (as what I always do...ask -- for those who know me, I'm really an inquisitive person), how do we enhance and develop our entrepreneurship spirit?

Is it how your school trained you? Other schools (like in where I am studying), they offer courses like Business Management specialization in Entrepreneurship while other schools don't. Others give you a great exposure regarding business matters other than those in your textbooks while others are just bookish.

Is it in the location you're in? If you're in the city, you have a lot of opportunities. There are bazaars and a lot of people whom you can make connections with. While in the province, so little opportunities and everyone just thinks of finishing up college then go to the city to find a high paid job.

Is it in the family? If you're in a family who are entrepreneurs, you will be one. If not, then not. How you think depends on how your family thinks?

Is it just innate? You are born with it, you've got it. If you don't have the skills, you can't develop it anymore?

Here's what I think. School and location are the minor factors. Though, they really help a lot. First, if the school can broaden you're mind, that's a big plus especially if you're in a great location. But, most importantly, it all boils down on YOU. It is how you think (maybe influenced by your family, friends or books), what you do to hone your skills (maybe innate or developed through hardwork).

Now, I am not saying that I have this kind of spirit flowing all over my blood because I don't think so. My thoughts may be entrepreneurial and I may have done some honing but I think there are still some things missing....Fervor and guts. What's the use of being equip if you do not have the passion for it or you do not do anything about it?

So, maybe, some people are really meant for being entrepreneurs and some are just not. For me, it's just practical. Though our society nowadays is telling everyone to become entrepreneurs, all of us cannot be entrepreneurs. It just won't work.

Okay, I'm tired of writing already but I don't know how to end it so....Coffee, Tea or Juice? :)

what's in our thoughts? or better yet, in my thoughts?

i was just wondering...why don't we get tired of the thought of writing diaries, short stories, journals or blogs? Okay, maybe at times we start and then we get tired of it but somehow, it always comes back. you would want to write your thoughts again. maybe we just want to consult our past experiences or speak out our emotions or...are we just wanna-be's of Anne Frank? - that we dream that someday, our life stories would be published and admired. What do you think?

another thought. just this week, i created a new e-mail account, curled my straight hair and next week, classes starts. great huh? and yet, i am i'm making a new blog (well, my first actually). everything (not really..but mostly), is new. now, why do we want that? why do we want things to be new? to start all over again? or do we? i know for sure that there are many resistance in making changes so then, why do we want to change? well, i guess i'm answering my question haha. i read a book entitled 'the present' by spencer and he said that if we want our present to be better than the past, we should do things differently. makes sense doesn't it? though, i just hope that all the changes we make in our life is to make our present and future better than our past and not for the worst. in addition to that, does curling my hair make my present any better? hmmph..