Mela Diary: SG December Adventure

I was planning on another trip to Singapore by the last weekend of November for the 'Lives Made to Worship' Praise Concert of the YFC's there. Everything was set except for one thing my ticket. It even came to a point where my dad was the one asking me if I would still go, and then my sister suddenly wanted to go to Singapore during her Christmas break and so, I decided to not go anymore for the concert and instead join my sister in December.

Our flight was at around 4 or 5 and my parents were a bit too paranoid, we went to the airport too early. Well, it was really because they still had late lunch to go to and the wedding of my cousin after. So while stuck at the airport and not wanting to go in yet we decided to eat first in Pancake House.

When we were finally done eating and was left with nothing else to do, I decided to play with my newest 'accessories' -- Kola. :)

 

LENS: Red

LENS: Green

LENS: Orange

Kola really is just filters and you can either put it on top of the lens or the flash depending on what you want to achieve. Eventually we had to go to the boarding area and all I did was read. I'm currently reading 'Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close'.

The relief of seeing this sign! Off to Singapoooooore!!!!

Why hello there Singapore!!! (I do suck in taking pictures without a flash)

When we got there we were greeted by Kate. And since we seemed messengers from the Philippines, we still had to do one errand before going home and that is to give shirts to a friend of a friend. We seriously had one whole maleta for all the bilins. And when that was done, we went straight to the house. We fixed up a little, figured out the wi-fi then off we went to Downtown East which was a 5-10 minute walk depending on your speed. Kate left us there since she still had a party to go to and so we were left to explore the place on our own. We decided to have dinner in Burger King then went around the area.

With Mr. Funny and Miss Chatterbox :)

This is basically what I did-- retail therapy

Little Mr and Miss.

The plan for the next day: WE WAIT FOR KATE TO GO HOME, GO WITH KATE TO VIVO, SHE'LL ATTEND SERVICE WHILE WE GO TO SENTOSA TO BUY TICKETS.

What happened that day: We woke up without Kate in the house so we decided to just go shopping in Downtown East at around 2pm we decided to go home and since we had a feeling that Kate wouldn't show up we decided to just walk to the station since we didn't know where it was and the fun started when we started walking to the station, it started drizzling and we didn't mind it as much until the rain came pouring down and we didn't have anything to cover ourselves, but we had no choice but to brave it anyway. Then we started our adventure to Vivo then to Sentosa.

 boo! some photos cant be rotated, I don't want to make you all tilt your head just to see my face! :))

RED M&M's mascot. OMG!!!

So if you're wondering what happened to Kate, well we were supposed to meet up with her for dinner but she was still her hangover self so we just decided to have dinner and while waiting for our food I played with my beloved KOLA again.

When we got home it was such a relief seeing Kate home and since it seemed like we were all back in college we decided to watch an 11:50pm showing of Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Yea, we cool like that eh!

The following day, Kate decided to take the day off.

Here we are all fresh waiting for the bus

From Bugis we went Somerset to meet more friends. It was also where Ernest, Paolo and Gico also met us then from there we went to Coldstone. Aaaaaaah. Ice cream!!! <3

Then from Coldstone we had early dinner then went to IHM for Simbang Gabi and to meet with some more YFC's!!!

With the girls: (L-R) Me, Kam, Aika, Elisha, Ellaine

With the boys: (L-R) Kam, Ernest, Gico, Niguel, Allen, Me

We had our little adventure when we got off  the station. We had to walk all the way to the church 'cause they guys weren't really sure what bus to ride and to top this all of we had to walk under the rain and man it was raining really really hard but it was fun!!! When we got to the church we were already seated then we had to move to a different pew since the pew where we were seated was apparently reserved, but then the others followed us upstairs, creating a scene or what? HAHAHA It was such a good feeling seeing old faces. Despite the short amount of time that I got to spend with them the last time I was there I felt warm around them and I did really miss them. And as if we weren't tired from all the walking that we did, we still walked all the way back to the station to go home. So yea, that day was beyond tiring!

The next day was the most anticipated day of the trip, trip to USS!

At the Madagascar ride!

lining up for Shrek 4D

After the lamest show ever-- The Donkey Live (but it was super hi-tech!)

On the other end of USS. That's far far away land!

Battlestar Galactica, my most favorite roller coaster still!

I was really jumping up and down when I saw Bumble Bee

Transformers Ride, this got to be the longest wait ever!

After the Mummy Ride

It would take me 10 years to write what went down in USS it was a crazy day, tiring yet really really fun! After USS we met up with Ernest to have dinner then strolled along Orchard. It was super crowded then there were 'gimmicks' on the side. Pardon the next two pictures, it was rushed and I didn't even get to set it on the right mode.

The worst part of this day was that we had to start re-packing our stuff already. That would have been the most bittersweet moment of 2011, like fo'real!

For our last day, Kate invited us to their school's Christmas Party! OM. She does have super adorable students!!!

We had to leave by lunch then off for last minute shopping! Then we had to rush home fix some things rested awhile then off we go to the airport. Our flight was at 8:50 so we had to be there early on. And as if we didn't have enough adventures, our flight got DELAYED. Our flight was first moved to 10:00pm then to 12:15am. Mind you our ETA in Manila was 12:10. WHAT HAPPENED EH? So while we stranded in the airport, thank goodness Changi was super nice, we went around, abused the wi-fi and eat.

Our meal for the night-- Chicken Rice!

We got back in Manila around 3:45 waited for our luggage for at least 10 minutes and then finally we got home.

So that was it, that was the end of our adventure in Singapore. The five days reminded me of how blessed I really am. It was great to see familiar faces and it was such a great experience to realize a few things in my life. I will never get tired of going to Singapore. Until next time, SG!

PS. Thanks for bearing with my face. :)) Not the best travel entry but yea, thank you still!

The 11 Highlights For The Year 2011. :D

As the year 2011 is coming to an end, I decided to write a blog on how this year went. I remember as 2010 was coming to an end, I said that 2011 will be an awesome year. So let me write down the 11 highlights of my 2011.

This year started with me finishing our THESIS. I will never forget the stress that this caused me and at the same time the fulfillment I felt when I finally saw the hardbound copies with the signatures!!! OMG. I wanted to throw a party!!! But seriously, the process of making our thesis, tested my patience and tolerance towards people. After everything done and countless of sleepless nights I'm just proud of me and my group mates that we we're able to write and defend our thesis. :)

This has just to be said, part of the best things that happened to my year was the AZKALS, You see, with the rise of the Azkals, it also came with papers and finals and lots of them. And I have to say thank you to the Azkals, for keeping me company and sane at the same time during this tough time. In what way did they do this, well you have to be Tiffany Uy or if not get to read our 100++ paged conversation about school work and yes, the Azkals. Ibang klaseng makabaliw ang last hurrah for school and Azkals were keeping us sane, at least thats what we want to think! Aside from this, it was also fun watching the Azkals live! Hooray to me, I got to watch 2 matches. One vs Sri Lanka and the other versus Kuwait. :D

What's the best way to detox from the loads of school work but to have an out of town trip! This was perfectly timed since this was scheduled right after my finals week. Although, I still have a deadline by Saturday morning, I did all my best and submitted early my Media Laws paper! My family decided to fly to SILAY (BACOLOD) to visit my Mom's family there. It was also the first time after almost 11 years that we get to visit them again. The last time we were there we spent the holidays with them and sadly, my lolo died. We got to catch up with my cousins. We stayed there for the weekend after my finals week and that means when I got back here in Manila I'm on a one month break just waiting for my grades and rehearsals for Graduation. But you know what sucks is that after three weeks, we had to fly back because my lola died. No one expected this and my mom, sister and I had to rush back to Bacolod. It was such a heartbreaking moment especially after seeing my mom super indenial of what happened. And in this trip my little cousins got super fascinated with me and my sister that they want to come with us back in Manila or atleast we go back there and went back there we did. My sister and I went there for the 40 days of my lola and got to really bond with my cousins! So you see, we made bawi the 11 years in just 3 months!

One of the biggest things that happened to me during the year 2011 was my COLLEGE GRADUATION!!! Finally after 14 years of studying I am DONE with that chapter in my life. This was really the end and the beginning. This has to be the most bittersweet of all since I super love my block mates, we've been through a lot and we've seen each other in our worst and of course our best. But we all have to move on and continue our journey independently keeping in mind we have each other.

This year was also a year of DESPEDIDAS. I had two of my friends leave to study abroad. First is PJ, I knew of his leaving just a few weeks before he actually left and good thing he got a week or I think even a month delayed so it gave us more time with him. We even had a surprise despedida for him which sadly he found out, and mind you this was one of the more stressful things I had to do this year. Its not just throwing a party but we had to secretly do that we sometimes have to do in his place and we had so much to do and we're only four and to top it was also scheduled during the week of my defense!!! I'm such a good friend sometimes. HAHAHAHA. Anyway, it was also fun to get to see all of our friends just sad that it was because one of us was leaving. Oh well, that's life and life has to go on. My other friend which is now based in San Francisco is Nina. We all knew of Nina's plan to study abroad in 2010 and she always always gets delayed and we always always take advantage of the time we get to spend with her and we were even telling her, she wouldn't push through and when she finally had to leave for the states, what's funny was she even went to watch a quarter of a PBA game before heading to the airport, devoted lang eh. HAHAHA During her despedida, we had so much fun as well. It felt like it was my party since I had friends who were also her friends that were there. I didn't even get to hang with the people I always hang with. That's how intense it was.

Next on the list is ILC in CDO this year. The trip maybe be short-lived but it was worth it. Aside from it being the ILC, and ILC's are always fun, it was the first time that I went to a YFC conference without my sister and Dea. It seemed like the start of a new ere in YFC. And apart from that, we all got the chance to be silly and bond hardcore! This may also be because we had few delegates this year giving us more chance to bond. Late night bonding with the cluster was ofcourse beyond worth it. I just wish that I could back to the city and try their tourist attractions. Yes, as lame as it may sound, I wasn't able to go try White-Water rafting and the Zipline in Bukidnon, but I believe that in time I'll get to go back to that beautiful city. And while I'm on it, lets all continue to pray that CDO and Iligan can rise above the recent flooding and that they may slowly get their lives back. 

From one beautiful destination to another. Next of my highlights is my trip to BORACAY.  So this was my first EVER trip to Bora and my family decided to go on this trip to celebrate my parents' 25th Wedding Anniversary!!! So what was supposed to be a family trip turned into a vacation with friends. Okay, let me be clear with this. We were with Nina and Yma to begin with and after a tour around the island my parents gave us the permission to go on our own besides it is Boracay. So my parents had their 'date' while we go around on our own, that we only see each other in the hotel. And the best part of this trip we stumbled upon more friends which made it even a better trip. We even made new friends. Seriously that trip was fun. I would always always look back to May of 2011 and would want to relieve it over and over again. It would be fun to go to Bora to detox and just escape the business of the city. I couldn't really go to details because as what they say, what happens in Bora stays in Bora ;)

This year I've been blessed to ride the airplane numerous times. This time I flew to SINGAPORE and twice at that! :D Let me share to you both trips, and wait for my other blog about the recent trip there but here's the gist of it! The last week of May I flew to Singapore with Reg to join the Cross Culture. In 2008 my sister joined the team that went to Singapore and ever since I've always wanted to visit the country and a few years later I was given the same opportunity and it was worth it. We stayed there around 2 weeks, stayed with a host family, met YFC's from Singapore and most importantly have a one-of-a-kind Jesus experience! I can't really explain what transpired and how I felt during those 2 weeks all I know is that I feel blessed to have been there and given the chance to meet all of them wonderful people. In Singapore I found what I was looking for, it made me understand things more and it made me want more things for my service, for my chapter, for my cluster. YFC Singapore has been an inspiration ever since and what's best is that I found great people along the way. The Cross Culture Experience is actually a tie with my Graduation as the best things that happened to me this year. When I was leaving for Manila, they were all convincing me to go to back on November for the Praise Concert. I was really scheduled to go but for some reason the supposed November trip was pushed to mid-December. This was a different trip, it consisted of shopping and bonding with one of our friends who's now based in SG. It was fun exploring the other side of Singapore and walking around and the best part was we got to meet our friends there and they're still as awesome as ever!!! I think I can always always go back to Singapore. I love SG!

One of the most unforgettable experiences of 2011 for me is the ULTIMATE ALL STAR WEEKEND. If you're a basketball fan this seriously should be on the highlights of your 2011. Who would have thought the the likes of Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose, Chris Paul would actually play a legit basketball game here versus selected PBA players and also our very own Smart Gilas. The best thing about this was that I got to witness it live, well the game versus the PBA selection at least. If you wanna know more about this experience you could read it here.

Next thing was this year's METRO MANILA CONFERENCE. You see around this time of the year, I wasn't my best self. I was questioning a lot of things, thinking of my future and what it holds and basically looking for answers. I've always attended every MetroCon since I joined YFC and it seemed like this was no different but it was. This conference spoke to me. I wouldn't go into details for this post 'cause I already blogged about it. But aside from God's message this was particularly a different YFC experience 'cause for one there were only a few of us who came, second is that the YFC's who attended weren't the usual YFC's and so we got to really bond with those who went. What's best was the basaan and Agawan Panyo after the conference.

Last on the list was our trip to EK with my beloved household! Us girls decided to sleepover at Marie's house. We had an ultimate girl bonding talking about different things that mostly centered about boys. We didn't realize the time and the next thing we knew the sun was rising and it was time to prepare so we could still hear mass before going to EK. EK is always fun, the rides may not be as exciting as it used to be but who cares its really the fun that we'll have with each other that would really matter in the long run right? It started with bump cars and bullying Trish, to really lame water ride, to the crazy Anchor's Away moment, to the insanely long line in Log Jam, through Space Shuttle and 'Horror House', to the anticipating drop of EKstreme and finally to getting all wet in Rio Grande Rapids and screaming 'yung bag'. This day was beyond fun, I mean seriously it was not only the chance to be with my second family, but also this binded us even more, yes we are cliquish like that. Allow me to share a blog post written by Mer. Going home was a totally different story and it was a chance to catch up with an old friend. That weekend has been really great, really really fun. Thank you God for this kind of family.

So that's it for my 11 highlights for 2011. This year has been great, it wasn't as exactly like what I had in mind, nothing of MY plans with my life ever pushes through anyway. This year has been tough, emotionally especially. It has been an endless roller-coaster ride, people may have left but at the same time I gained more. Non-stop laughter together with an endless stream of tears, the many days spent by my lonesome and the countless hours spent with friends, of travels here and abroad, of book I've read and movies I've seen. Life has still been good despite everything. There are times I question and at times I suddenly come across the answer. The random 'reflections' in life I've had.

This year has been crazy and this year has taught me numerous things. Despite things not going according to what I planned, I am still thankful after I realized what 2011 really has brought me. This year, God made sure that I am assured with myself and what I want to do with my life. This year, God gave me the chance to know myself even more, to re-discover myself and to re-define myself, by who I envision myself to be. This year, I was given  the chance to love, love not only other people but also love myself. To love myself without hesitation and know my worth.

2011, I thank you for bringing out the best in me. I thank you for making me realize what I want to be. And to everyone I spent this year with, from my college blockmates to my A3 family, to my basketball-related friends, to YFC Singapore to my own family thank you. Thank you for making this year as it is. I love you all and I'm looking forward to another year with all of you!

Crazy or what?

Our driver is crazy. You wanna know why?

1 - When I drive, I can't go past 20kph. He gets mad every time, I'm more than 20 in his words, mashado na daw akong bumibilis. But since, I'm pasaway I always go beyond 20. :)) 

2 - He's more tensed for me more than I am for myself. As in sometimes, he just pulls up the handbrake like I don't even know why. He actually thinks kaskasera ako, when in fact I'm not. :))

3 - He never lets me park. He thinks I can't park. :))

4 - He drives for us but he never makes me drive to the places I usually go to, but he brings me to the more challenging roads. As he puts it, he wants me to drive in 'heavy traffic' situations. SMH


5 - He is never happy with how I drive. He always gets mad at me, then when I adjust it, he gets mad pa din. What could a girl like me do? :))

And actually there's a lot more reasons but I couldn't really think of it at this moment. But do you agree with me or what. He is crazy right? :))

Smorgasbord

Disclaimer: This post is full of random thoughts. Forgive me. These are ideas/ thoughts I've wanted to write the past few days but I haven't had the chance to. I will divide this post into 4 lets see how this post turns out. 

I

A right thing is and always will be THE right thing but a wrong thing accepted to be right, well that's a whole different story.When does this even happy? Could this be even possible? A right thing is BUT right while the wrong one can go either way, it just depends on how you look at the situation. Sometimes just saying the flat out truth and talking about it is better than making the person feel better about themselves while you make yourself feel better think that you're such a good person for what you've done. Okay, I won't go preachy but really what I'm trying to say is that do we really want to live our lives in shortcuts, in thinking that the wrong thing is the right thing because that's the easier way out, or are we going to be man enough, be courageous and keep on doing things the right way, no matter how hard it will be, who will get hurt and the little sacrifices that we have to do. Living our lives head on makes us even stronger and wiser, it somehow makes us feel that we are getting most in our lives. 

II

Have you ever felt that you have the world on your shoulder? Living day in and out with problems here and there. Well I guess, we've all been at that point in our lives and sometimes we're brave enough to lift of each of our problems and resolve it; but other times, we just push them away, pretend they don't exist. We go on, like everybody else on the surface all happy and jolly but deep within  we are crippled and broken. On bad days, someone strikes a memory from a previous pain, buried with joy in pretension and we are once again faced with our life's reality that we really carry more than we recognize and we feel doubly hurt because we thought that all along we've forgotten about it. The truth is, we just couldn't really let it go. We couldn't let go of many things in life despite the pain it brings for the happiness that it is associated with. We feel that as long as we hold on to that one thing in our life, we could be happy or at least be that happy, but of course we thought wrong because we just allow ourselves to feel the pain of the memory, of the things we can never have and of the things that we wished we had-- we are slowly being masochists, plotting our own depression. Honestly, it is in facing it, experiencing the pain until all of it is gone could we only feel lighter, that somehow we got rid of it, and as it cliche says, we could truly move on. It is in the realization of the gravity of things, the acceptance of the circumstance could we truly derive our strength from. We could be broken and broken things could never be like the original one but we should always remember that we can never live in the past but rather we should be living in the moment and realizing each moments' potential of pain, sorrow, suffering and most importantly joy. 

III

Sometimes, we make our decision based on our emotions while at other it is based on our rationalization of things. We plan things but it didn't exactly go as planned and it turns out something better was in store for us. Sometimes, we only think of how much fun it would be for ourselves that we forget that we have more responsibilities to other people. We have to realize that one thing doesn't happen not because it was a bad idea but because it only does good to a few people. We have this notion that we have to look far to find our joy, our peace of mind, our purpose but in truth all we need is right in front of us. Besides our happiness and the reason behind all of those are just the same, we just mature and think differently from time to time but ultimately deep inside we still have the same formula for happiness, satisfaction and peace in our life. We just have the tendency to look at things from a different view and in a different perspective but in reality it is just the same.

IV

We are all looking for answers. Everyday we have a new question about our life, sometimes the answer is right in our faces but we still couldn't take it in.afraid of the unknown. We sometimes get too scared to step out of our comfort zones, afraid of what lies ahead unto the unknown. We have a picture of ourselves in our mind and yet we are scared on how we will get there. It is more than frustrating for one, but you know what's amazing, is when we get affirmation in weirdest ways. That we will be alright, we have to believe in ourselves that we deserve it and make sure we don't sell our self short of what we truly are capable of. We get the sense of assurance that whatever we have to go through in our life we will be ready for it, ready to endure it. After all our heart's desire is the most important and living it will be a dream come true. It would be like the princess finally having her happily ever after. Sometimes, these affirmations, no matter how small and weird it is, it gives us the boost that we need to take the step of faith, to finally conquer our fears and chase the dream. It is in that simple affirmation, in simple words where everything big and grand starts. 

Life is just a matter of perception, how we plan to look at the things happening in our lives. We go through our own battles, no one lives the perfect life, but we could always picture our ideal life at how we want our lives to be spent. Our lives is designed to be beautiful, there maybe the occasional hurts and suffering but really who cares if we have more than half a day laughing until we cry, we all get to sit down and eat with the people that we love and just have fun and enjoy ourselves and the company of others. We just need to have a beautiful outlook in life to be able to live it beautifully. It is only us who can live our life and it is really in seeing the beautiful, in doing the right, in being courageous and fearless, sensitive yet strong, that we could be able to live our life the best way we could.

Thirteen Reasons Why

I just finished reading Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.

Clay Jensen returns home from school to fins a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker-- his classmate and crush-- who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made it the list.

I first saw this in FullyBooked, Eastwood. I really got curious about the title, good thing was there was an open copy and so I randomly opened the book and read one of the pages and in that instant I knew I wanted to buy the book. And it didn't disappoint. As I turned the page of this book and as Hannah shared her reasons for committing suicide I could feel her pain. I could feel where she was coming from the helplessness she felt, how people just taken her for granted not even trying to know her despite the rumors and the gossip going around the school. She took all of it and it crushed her, broke her which eventually led to her death.

As I said earlier I felt the pain that Hannah was feeling. I think we've all been through something that we've always thought that no one could ever understand what exactly we are feeling. After reading this it dawned on me, are we really misunderstood by people or we just don't let them in enough to actually understand us? I mean, let's face it, if we look closely there must be that one person who wants to help us. Who despite what it takes would understand us. You get me?

Personally this book reminded me how even the small things we do to another person, matters. On the surface it may seem small but we have to remember we don't really know what they're going through inside and thus we do not have a single idea on how one thing, no matter how small it is, affects the other person. Sometimes, we just go through the motions not knowing how much we have affected the person next to us. For us it may seem silly but for them it is personal, too personal even. No one would really know how exactly a broken person feels because as broken as he/ she is, she still wouldn't let everyone know that she is. We all have our own coping mechanism and what we show other people is how we only intend other people to see us and of course this has more depth to it than what we know. So yes, its true when people say or you read the statement "you only know my name and not my story". People could just jump into conclusion create gossip that would eventually believed as true by most and yes, it could break the person talked about, apart.

I have been through what Hannah has been through well not that kind of gossip but I could relate to her in terms of letting those words said about her get to her and act based on that. I've been through so much criticism in my life that it broke me that even, I, myself doesn't know who I am anymore. Its hard just dealing with people who say hurtful words towards you, but what's tougher is that you have to battle the fight on your own. Its not merely you against them but its you against yourself. As they say, 'you are your own worst enemy'.

Give some people a slack, give them a break because you do not know what that person is going through. Try understanding people even more. Look beyond what the eyes meet. People especially those like Hannah have their walls up and doesn't really trust anyone. Its hard to earn the trust of those people. So if you really want to be of help, be sincere and don't ever give up on them. Don't you ever give up on people. You have to give them more time, you have to make them feel that you could be trusted, you have to make them feel that unlike the others, you won't hurt him/her and keep in mind that you will never know how a simple 'how are you?' matters to the broken.

PS. Here a link to a Tumblr post about the book. Quotes. Quotes and more Quotes. That could actually help you understand this blog post even more.

Nine Months

There are really days that its just so interesting how things unfold in front of your eyes. Earlier today, I heard that one of my cousins gave birth to her child and here's the catch we didn't even know she was pregnant in the first place. Okay, I'm not really sure how many of my relatives is reading this but, I just really have to put words to what exactly I feel.

I've always believed that every child is a blessing. So I was really torn on what I felt upon hearing this news. Wait, I have to remind you that this particular cousin of mine is actually two years younger than me. TWO FREAKIN' YEARS. I've heard teenagers getting pregnant and stuff and if you're one of them I would take my hats off you. You're so strong to go through what you've gone through plus the fact that you stood for what is right, and for that alone you've got my respect. I realized its different when its a family member.

Our family structure is a little different now, I mean, I would love to explain further how things are but really, I don't think its part of your business. We maybe cousins but I have no business with her right now and I don't think I have the right to judge or whatever but the fact remains that I felt hurt not for her but for her dad, for our family. I seriously do not get the logic behind not telling us about all of it?! And the last time we were with her family, it seemed like her dad had wanted to tell my mom/ aunts about it but he can't for reasons no one really knows. I don't even think they'll even show up on Christmas with another baby in their family. I mean really, you really opted for us to know through FACEBOOK and seriously I do know that they know we already know so why not be upfront about it NOW. We maybe all maldita and we maybe have our own say at it at the back of our minds but I think really it would be better if they have told us straight up, sorry parang 'di lang pamilya turing samin eh. Our situation maybe a little different from what it was like a few years back but family will always be family right? 

Through the years many things have changed and that this incident just proved that as much as we are 'bonded' in spirit, seeing each other, being with each other, still feels different. Its still better compared to just being connected via mobile or even the internet. Seeing the person is an assurance of how they really are besides no one can really hide anything if you're all facing each other because you are family and you would know if something bad is going on right? Catching up is always better because you get to talk about so many things from the present-future-past-and back to the future and then back to the present. I always think that at some point we need to be there and I mean really there. 

Time flies and just make everything count, because before you know it everything will just be a memory you would learn from, a turning point in your life. Make sure to ask your family how they are, catch-up with them, try seeing them as often as you could, cherish the moments while you can do things together because before you know it you're too old for it. Do not let life just pass you by but instead you get through life with your family. There really maybe days that you won't get to see each other, not even talk but what's important is picking up where you left of. And just make the most out of the time that you have with them. 

PS. Tonight we had dinner and celebrated the birthday of one of my lolos. We didn't really plan all of this and as soon as we all got the chance to be together and got to talk about everything, we just realized pano kami nalipasan ng panahon. My titas were even asking "o ano, sino na susunod sa inyo" and we were all quiet because none of us there is even in a relationship and then one of my cousins said "wag na kayong magtanong kung ayaw niyo mashock ulit" but seriously today I was reminded of how crazy my family really is. And oh, what a super coincidence we were all together while the Sinag Pilipinas game was on. We weren't really watching (only the dads) but then the older ones kept on talking about Kiefer, talk about family support. :)) 

Best of Both Words

Our family is our friends that's with us, 24/7.
Our friends could also be our family.
I have friends that are like my family.
And you know whats the best thing about this?
Its having the best of both worlds.

I'll Do Better Than My Best

Last Saturday my family went to watch Sound of Music at Resorts World. If you haven't seen it yet, you better make time for it. First, because who doesn't love the Sound of Music? I mean seriously?!?! Second, the production is world-class!!! The production design was jaw-dropping, how they actually brought you to each place, each room, the feeling in each scene. And of course the cast was really really and I mean really good. Our Gretl, was super adorable, you just wanna hug her every time she was on stage!!! And our Maria was Joanna Ampil and we had Audie Gemora was our Capt. Von Trapp. Lucky huh? :) anyway, the supporting cast was also good!!! But seriously, go watch it. You won't be disappointed, sa LED pa lang, super sulit na nung bayad mo :)

Sound of Music is one of my most watched VHS tapes when I was younger together with Casper and Parent Trap. When I was watching this when I was around 7 or 8, it was for the music. Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things etc. but I didn't realize how moving and touching the story really is, I was holding back my tears the whole the whole time. Sound of Music, reminded me the importance of family, values, love and faith. :)

Mother Abbess: What did you learn from the abbey?

Maria: To accept the will of God no matter how hard it is

I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad

-My Favorite Things

Climb every mountain, search high and low

Follow every byway, every path you know

Climb every mountain, ford every stream

Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream

A dream that will need all the love you can give,

Everyday of your life for as long as you live

Climb every mountain, ford every stream

Follow every rainbow, 'til you find your dream!

-Climb Ev'ry Mountain

I've always longed for adventure
To do things I've never dared
Now here I'm pacing adventure
Then why am I so scared?
A captain with seven children
What's so fearsome about that?
Oh, I must stop these doubts
All these worries
If I don't know I just know I'll turn back
I must dream of the things I am seeking
I am seeking the courage I lack
The courage to serve them with reliance
Face my mistakes without defiance
Show them I'm worthy
And while I show them,
I'll show me
So let them bring on all their problems
I'll do better than my best
I have confidence
They'll put me to the test!
But I'll have make them see
I have confidence in me
- I Have Confidence

11.11.11

People have been making a fuss over 11.11.11 for a long time now. Some people say, if you make a wish a today, it would most likely come true. I'm not the person who says 'today is just another day.' There's nothing wrong in believing that today might be a great day, your 11:11 wish would come true, I would rather just pray to God about the things I would want for my life, for it is with Him where I could guarantee that all my hearts desired are met.

Today, God reminded me, that I am destined for greatness, I may not be as over-achieving as people around me are, but I am and will be great in MY OWN special way.

Today, I will pray for myself. For my dreams and the things that I want to do, for the things that I want to happen.

Today, God reminded me that not until I believe that I am good let alone great, no one else would see it.

Today marks the day that I will be thinking of myself as much as I think of other people.

Today will start the journey of a new me. :)

Please Be The One

I read somewhere that people meet their partners at the age of 16 or even 13. I just can't remember, but that's for most people. If I put that in my case, I may have passed by him, know him from a friend, he could even be my  friend or maybe I am not part of 'most people' maybe I have yet to meet him. 

A week ago I had this conversation with my friends and that night we realized one thing. "all guys are jerks, some of them change for the girl they love, we just have to figure out who is the one worth fight and sacrificing for" and at the end of that night we all asked this one question: "asan na SIYA? Where is that one guy that would turn our fantasies into realities. Where is the guy that God has prepared for us"


After a few days and a lot of thing I came up with this.

Maybe the reason that God had not made it happen just yet, is because He knows that I am not ready yet. He knows that I am not emotionally strong to handle it and MY perfect love story would be put to waste because I am too immature, weak and superficial that I wouldn't even realize that HE was THE ONE for me. Or maybe because God wants me to figure out the real me first, to be secured in myself so that when I will be in THAT relationship, we would not depend for each other to complete us, but rather we will just have to complement each other and help each other to even become the better version of ourselves.

God has given me little heart aches every now and then and in the process made me learn things about myself and the more I learn the more I grow as a person and the more it readies me to handle what life would throw at me, and yes even relationships. It doesn't follow that since God has put us together it would be easy, it will never be easy especially for those who rush into it, unprepared for it. Being in a relationship takes time and only time could tell when I will have mine. So as I wait and pray for him, I will better myself, explore all my possibilities, do things I've always wish I could do, be spontaneous and carefree, learn about myself and life.

And to whoever you are, I hope you will be doing the same and when the right time comes and things fall into place, we will live OUR love story, and we could both say that it was well worth the wait.

Ironies of Life

Small thing happen in our life to prepare us for bigger things and these big things  teaches us how to appreciate the small ones.
Its just like meeting the wrong person for us to know who the right one is.
Like how we are capable to feel pain and sorrow because we have experienced how it is to be happy.
Its just like how we manage to surrender because we feel weak only to find out how strong we really are.
Things happen, its how we respond to these events that sets us apart from other people.

Stranger Things Have Happened

When you're down on your knees and all hope is gone you pour your heart out in crying, crying your frustration and depression out. Wallowing in self-inflicted pain and pity. Until the moment that you get too tired of crying is the only way you can see clearer, making you want something more than before, making you go for it without thinking of what may happen and once again following your heart wherever it leads you because you ant to cry not of frustration nor regret but because of joy, because after all the crying you did, you are happy now and it made you believe that there can still be hope. 

Slowly Drifting Apart

That moment when I saw him again after a long time, I was looking forward to catch-up with him, to be with an old friend once again. When it was just the two of us, I thought we could be back to normal, but I was surprised to see that even for him I already have a wall put up, that I didn't let him through, that what seemed to be our usual conversation, all bubbly and random, was pretty much silent, our hearts just beating, dying in the silence of our surroundings. I thought we could be okay, but then I guess life has just to happen and we have to grow and sometimes, growing means we have to grow apart as well. I wanted to cry just when I realized that it could never be the same anymore.

Alone

Earlier this week a very good friend of mine tweeted me this:

Am I really that great in pretending and showing off to the world that I am happy. If only you knew that I was once dying inside and just beginning to pick myself up. I am screwed up inside in ways no one even thought possible.

And then it hit me, I was THAT alone, no one really knows how I feel, no one knows how it is to be me, and no one knows how much I have to psyche myself to appear as strong and happy in the world.

Maybe, I really don't have a friend and everyone are just people who I happen to get to hang-out with every so often but no one really knows ME.

What Drives You?

When we want something we do everything to get it, but what really drives us what pushes us to attain the thing that we want really bad. 

All my life, I've seen myself as a mediocre piece of crap (what a way to describe myself huh?) but yea, the back story's kind of long so lets just put it that growing up I had the notion that I could not achieve anything great, and no matter how hard I try I always fail being great at the thing I am doing, unlike others I am not destined for greatness. It was so hard battling this kind of insecurity, its so hard that ones it got to me, I couldn't really get away from it. It was so hard that it actually stopped me from dreaming the biggest dream, because what would it do to me if despite all my efforts I still wouldn't succeed. 

I've lived the past few years of my life scared of failing but at the same time determined to change things, determined to change how people looked at me and most importantly how I looked at myself. Ironic but true. I was so scared of achieving so much because I was even more scared of disappointing myself, of not actually getting it done. So I settled for the easier things, which by the way hasn't gotten me far either. Earlier today, I was driving around endlessly on the same road and I realized, I am living my life as such going around in circles and not taking enough risk because I was afraid. The roads I drove on, I've mastered driving around them, I've been driving the same route since driving school and yet somehow I can't manage to go the different direction. Well I think its also because our driver didn't want me to. Yes, story of my life. I've put up with whatever people tell me and say to me that I just go around endlessly with no certain direction, my life has lost the value of excitement all together. 

Then it hit me, what drives people to achieve their goals, their dreams. What measures does people take to just have that one thing come to life and live that dream. Then I ask myself, why do I keep on going 'right' if I could actually go 'left' and I answer 'because you don't know what happens next'. Yes we do not know what happens but our lives are designed with mysteriousness in mind. But despite the uncertainty, some people still go for it, some people still want it, and I ask 'what's pushing them?' Probably,  they've long dreamed of being there so they take all possible measures to be there. 

We try, we may fail or succeed but what kind of fulfillment will it bring in our life? How will it make us a better person? I can re-butt all of this by saying at the end of the day, we now know our limits, we know what we can or cannot do, blah blah blah; but lets think about it, we are usually driven to the top not because it would complete our identity, but it is our bragging right to show everyone who doubted that we can do it that we can be successful but is that really enough, are we going to be continuously blinded by the things that won't matter in the end? And do we really just want to live our life continuously proving to others that we could do it or we were there because we were forced to because people expected us to be there or for once are we gonna do it for ourselves, because it really is what we want in life and what we hope to be doing. 

I'm not really sure if you're also undergoing that stage in your life when there are more uncertainties in your life than the sure ones, but don't fret, in time you will figure out the thing that you want to do with your life just like how I am figuring things for me. Its not easy because we are wasting not only our time but also our efforts and ourselves, I mean c'mon in everything we do, there's a certain emotional attachment to it right? 

Don't let the universe dictate to you what you should do but rather let your heart lead you to where you truly want to be. Don't let your judgement be clouded by the people that surrounds you. In all times remember that you are who you are it may take awhile before you could label who you really are, but take as long time as possible, learn more about yourself while taking as many wrong turns 'cause one of those will lead you right back where you should be.

Its funny that I am writing this blog and yet I can't really take THE risk because I am still in fear, but I am getting there, I'm slowly figuring out my life's map and getting there and really being there and staying there to wherever my destination will be. 

So now I ask you, where are you going and what drives you?

The Re-incarnation of the Show Choir

If you've been following my tweets then you may be weird-ed by the fact that I tweet a lot about how proud I am of Central A3's Show Choir. So in case you do not know, in YFC we do not only pray we also have this thing called Creative Competitions and we take this seriously. For the past year or two, our cluster didn't join the A Capella/ Show Choir competitions, why? I do not know, well maybe there was the lack of members among other things but this year this group was re-incarnated.

So it all started when after the Covenant Orientation, the girls decided to just 'jam' and sing. Kryzha was convincing Trish and I to form the show choir and all we said was, go basta ikaw head niyan. And she took the responsibility seriously. Stressed over the line-up and practices. After days worth of practice they competed in Central A's Sector Conference.

This was my first time to hear them sing and man, was I impressed. They were soooo good and the concept was really cute and they were eventually chosen to represent our sector for the Metro Manila Conference. So with added pressure, they changed songs and some of the members couldn't go to the MetroCon so we have to 'out source' just to have a complete line-up. And as I expected they were as good. Last minute changes happened, stressful morning but it was still all good.

Sadly we didn't win during the MetroCon to represent Metro Manila for the ILC, but then it really isn't about winning, and as how Paolo Panagsagan put it, its all about HIM. Giving back all the praise to God.

So I hope you enjoyed watching and can now relate why I'm just so proud of them, my babies. :)

xoxo, MCV. :)

MetroCon Challenge: Accepted!

Last weekend I attended the 10th YFC MetroManila Conference. This was my 9th MetroCon, goes to show how long I've been in this community. Personally there's a lot of pressure that I feel inside. I've attended all the past MetroCons and truth be told some of them, I only went to because I had to. On my 3rd MetroCon I was asked to be a part of the production team and a few MetroCon's after I've been a staple face in the stage. After sometime, I guess something inside of me died and I turned my back on prod dance. (well this is another story all together) and MetroCon was just an annual thing for me, I had nothing to look forward to anyway, once again I will be a member listening to the talks and taking care of my members.

Lets backtrack to mid-September. Its when I started to feel that I'm on my lowest. Self-Doubt. Self-confidence down the drain, frustrations, disappointments and a lot of things just seem to not happen my way. I mean, can't life just give me some slack. For some reason I felt so lost that I don't know who I was or what was I suppose to do. I'm so confused that even I couldn't really share it to other people without having to explain so much and that was the things I didn't want to explain it 'cause it hurts even more. In short, I wasn't happy. 

Fast forward to the third week of October. I was asked by a friend how I was and as much as I wanted to cover up what I was exactly feeling-- I flat out said that I was sad most of the time. I am happy when I'm around people but when I'm alone I just seem as lost and confused as how the day started. It feels weird though. Then I was really looking forward to the MetroCon there was just something about this conference that made me really want to be there, it seemed like I knew from the very start that I needed this and that God wanted me to be there; strange thing was I was really frustrated and disappointed that a couple of the YFC's that I wanted to be there but wouldn't be able to go. I wanted them to be there because I knew they needed it plus the fact that it would be extra enjoyable given that they are the people that I spend most of my time in YFC with. I swear I just wanted to like cry and put sense to people but in the end its their decision and maybe it really was part of God's plan.

Lets go back to real time. As I said earlier, this MetroCon was like it was meant for me to listen to. It was as if that God really dragged me to that field, and made me listen to every single word the speakers, worship leaders said. I was asked by the same friend how MetroCon was and how was I feeling and I told him that this conference was for me. It was that personal and to prove to him my point I really quoted him 2 of the strongest lines of the night for me..

"We lose sight of God's victory when we experience disappointments from failed expectations"

"We often get disappointed when we don't receive the same amount of love we give"


... and he really did agree. I could tell you the jist of the talks and the whole conference but I wouldn't. I just wanted to share what God made me realize just this weekend. Sometimes we will feel pain along the journey but we must not be burdened, we may fight our battles alone along the way but we do not need to worry, because these are nothing compared to the victory that we will receive beyond the horizon; that through every battle HE IS THERE. All He is asking of us is to trust and totally surrender in His name and He will be there for us. The pains and suffering, that we are put to are just means of making us stronger.

This years theme was Be. Live. Love. Like Jesus and the only way for us to be Like Jesus is if we totally surrender to God's plans. If we are TRUST and HONEST in our faith, we bring PASSION and CONVICTION to the things we do and we show DISCIPLINE and OBEDIENCE in our life. Easier said than done yes, but then we have God so why do we even worry right? This conference challenged us to Be Like Jesus, no we don't have to die on the cross, just by our little ways we can be like Him, we just have to share to everyone our Jesus experience everyday.

Having been at the conference sure made me feel better and made me feel that I can be better. The challenge was to be like Jesus, and I accepted that challenge. His victory is at hand, we will all be victorious FOR and BECAUSE of him. Its an amazing feeling to be re-assured by God in all things. I surrender everything to the Lord and will work myself on becoming Like Jesus. It would take time, one step at a time, but it will happen.


And since I am at the topic of the MetroCon, let me share my pictures with my crazy cluster and the reasons why I always have a blast when I am with them. God will not let me fight on my own and these people are those that I will be victorious with. :)

Until next year! For now, lets all strive to Lead, Serve, Pray, Speak, Live and Love like Jesus.

xoxo, MCV. :)

From Me to You. :)

I've been thinking, reading and observing a lot of people lately. Let me start this in saying that, I am 20 years old and a college graduate. With my studies past behind me, I can't stop myself from asking 'Why are the young ones excited to grow up'. If I had it my way, I would prefer to still be in school; well, I studied early, didn't have grade 7 thus I graduated when I was 19 (a month and a few weeks short of turning 20); but then I just have to live my life like how life wants me to. And this leads me to my point in case for this particular topic -- Why do kids want to grow up so fast?

I'd like to believe that I have one of the best childhood experiences that I know of. I would spend countless of hours under the sun playing just about everything getting all sweaty and bruised up and it was fun! Now most of the things I played before doesn't even exist. Gone are the days of the magical chinese garter, jack stones and sungka in with the cellphones, iPod Touch/ iPad, Play Station and Xbox. It saddens me that childhood isn't the same anymore, it will never be the same.


I am sad to see kids, living off technology. I am disheartened that they don't get to experience the fun under the sun, the way you talk to your playmates and living in pretend life with your dolls and toy soldiers. They do get that in school I suppose but when at home, they miss the chance to connect to their siblings, to their parents. Lets all admit as much as there is good that technology gave us it also lessened our face-to-face conversations, it lessened our chance to explore the world. I pity those kids who spend all of their waking hours nerd-ing in front of the computer.


Another thing I wanna point-out, why do teenagers drink until they drop. Don't get me wrong, I know the fun you could have in drinking and getting drunk, but aren't you just too young to waste your organs for a "problem."  Personally, I've also had those days wherein I think, 'can I just drink this off?' I'm tempted to text a friend for me to have a drink with, but for some reason I don't pursue, first because drinking off my problems and issues won't solve it and second I think I can actually talk to a friend WITHOUT drinking. Alcohol is so intoxicating that it makes you do and say stuff that you don't normally say or do and its gives you such high and happiness that you wish it was forever a party and you'll be drinking all day. For those who could not resist drinking here's my take on it, drink to have fun and not to make papansin and be 'cool', your friends will love you even if you don't drink with them, especially if you don't want to. While you are at it, know your limits, stop when you know you can't stand straight anymore or even think straight! As fun as it is to laugh at a friend while she's doing crazy stuff it is as hard looking after them afterwards.

Here's another, can someone please explain to me why is there a fascination with having a boyfriend/ girlfriend at such a young age. I know its your life and its your heart that will be broken anyway so why do I even bother, but still, do you really think that it is fun to have a boyfriend/ girlfriend at your age when you can't even pass your tests? Boys and girls, I am 20 and I haven't had a boyfriend and yes I am not ashamed of it. I get it, the inspiration the boy or the girl gives you helps you to accomplish things and all of that but what if you suddenly have a rough patch or hit a relationship ending roadblock have you ever asked yourself if you  are emotionally ready for it? I just think that you're emotionally raw and young to deal with life's real problems when the only thing that you should be worried about it getting a high grade in your test and how to finish your homework.

Lastly, I did not learn to drive because I thought it was cool to own a car and drive myself everywhere like my friends did, but I HAD to learn how to drive. It was a need and not a want and besides I only learned how to drive after graduating from college. I've always believed that having your personal car meant added responsibilities. Cherish the times that your parents make you 'hatid-sundo' don't be ever ashamed that your parents still drive for you :) It just shows how much they love you and making them drop you off or pick-you up from a party or something is also a way of opening up to them, making them see your version of the world, unless your doing something to be ashamed of, then I suggest you just sleepover at a friends' house. I think that in order for you and your parents to have at least a good-working relationship, you have to make them understand your life as much as you have to make the effort to understand their decisions for you. Try letting your friends meet them and you'll see, your parents would trust you even more to go out with them.

You may say that I may be feeling the so-called generation gap right now, but no, I just think that I had so much fun during my childhood and living as a teen that I am able to say all of this. All the things that you do are of your choice and I respect that its just that you only have one life to live, so live it to the full. Live your life to the fullest of you. Explore your possibilities, besides you will never be as young as how you are at this very second, so make it count.

You are a teen, or maybe not, but embrace it; embrace your youth and all of the fun that goes with it. You can do numerous things in your life now that you may never have the chance to once you get older so make the most out of your life and stop trying to grow up. Once you are my age or your mothers' age I bet you'd wish that you are young again and once you make that wish, don't you dare say that you haven't been warned.

xoxo
MCV. :)

[EDITED] Happiness...

Its been awhile since I last attended a household.

And so I went to Jollibee yesterday to meet up with the girls. It was fun seeing them again and being in a hh again! Last night, I was asked 3 questions during the HH, am I happy, healthy and holy. It seemed like it was an easy question, but looking closely, what does happiness really mean?

I wondered how my life have changed since I graduated college. How my perspective on things changed. Now that my life is on a standstill, what still made me happy?

On the course of the sharings, one of them said, 'Sana po masaya ako' I asked her why and she said: "hindi ko po alam pero sana po alam ko"

This conversation struck me, do we really just pretend to be happy or we look for reasons to at least be happy or are we really happy? How do we even know if we are happy? I couldn't answer for myself. I do not know how I feel about how I live my life. Yes, I could be happy in some aspects but I'm more frustrated that I can't seem to get my life on track. Am I really happy living my life in the shadows of the past and of fear. Am I merely looking for reasons to distract myself from the reality of how my life is currently? So am I really happy or at least pretending to? Its been weeks since I've had this feeling-- unsure of how I feel about my life. Unsure about many other things. What is happiness? Do we make it up in our head and tell people what they want to hear or are we truly happy that even the littlest things that we see in our lives makes us so?

We could always pretend that we are happy, we could always tell people that we are but then who are we fooling but ourselves, right? Since I've been feeling a lot of different emotions nowadays, I've realized that in order to be happy we have to recognize that we are not.

Happiness doesn't come with a formula. Theres no scale to even measure it up. We all have to go through the journey. Figure things out, eliminate all possible causes of pain and sorrow; cherish those that brings smile to our hearts. It may take a long time getting there, but once we have it, we will know. And it will be worth it.

Ms. Universe 2011

We've all been raving about Ms. Universe 2011 and how great Ms. Philippines was and that she deserved a higher rank. Well in the end, its still great that she made it to Top5 and she was 3rd runner-up though despite it all she really deserved to win the crown. Most of the tweets, said that she had the best answer of all the 5 and yet she still placed 4th. 

During dinner, my family was talking about her answer and I came to realize that, maybe the reason why she really lost was not because her answer sucked but her answer might be offensive to other people. Our upbringing as Filipinos was centered on God and how we put Him on top of everything but on this day and age, how many are comfortable in declaring to the whole Universe that they do love God and all the more how many are comfortable in hearing that. In the society that has embraced same-sex marriage and abortions how do we now view the answer that she said. 

When she made to Top 5 I knew for a fact that it was hers to lose, I mean c'mon, the girl was just exuding with confidence, she was just glowing out there. Personally, I think she out-staged all of her competition and yes, her smile was infectious. When I heard they announce her as 3rd I was disappointed, no I was devastated and you know why, because I really thought that she would eventually win the crown if not, at least the 1st runner-up but no, the judges decided that the three other girls deserved the place better. Well yes, Ms. Angola surely did but Ms. Brazil and Ukraine I don't think so. 

So what made the difference? That despite answering in such a graceful, very well-thought of manner she still didn't win the prestigious crown. Lets be honest, I don't think her question was one that you actually practice during the pre-pageant preparation. Well, I think it was the response of the judges to her answer, in short their personal bias that made the difference. We, as God-centered individuals appreciate her answer but what about those who doesn't believe in God or at the very least uncomfortable with this topic? We can't say the same for them. After all, beauty pageants and life in general, are all based on an individuals' perception. Was the response of the judges to Shamceys answer the same way that we did, 'cause if it was so then I think it would have turned out differently. 


But despite it all, I am still proud of her. Making it to the Top 5 is a big achievement. She made  me proud to be a Filipina. She represented us, especially Filipina women in a very elegant and intellectual manner. The fact that some of the contestants actually thought that she should have won should be more all the more reason for us to be proud of her, because she truly did made everyone want to be just like her, a Filipina in that hour, in that moment. 


And since, I'm talking about BEAUTY pageants here let me share my take on beauty. Yes. You can be beautiful and smart at the same time o plus the fact that we should truly embrace your natural color. Hello, being white won't make you beautiful and being dark doesn't and will never make you ugly. Being beautiful is not based on your skin color and not even you hair color, it is  based on how you think and carry yourself that would make you one. And remember that being truly beautiful doesn't end in having a perfect body, or that drop-dead gorgeous looks, you should also be SMART whether it be book or street smart or even better, both. Yes. Your brain actually adds to your beauty. So yea, be yourself, embrace your imperfections own them, be curious and you'll be the most beautiful person that you truly are. 


xoxo
MCV. :)