The Rome Rant

I'm not really planning to announce it here but all I'm thinking nowadays is about it. Partly, it makes me happy but for the most part, I feel desperate. It's not like I'm shooting it all out to you, guys. It's just that it's impossible for me to blog about anything else right now.

You know that I've always been busy since I moved out. Actually, it's not all because of studies. Elsie, Gem, Jali, Dana, and I have been working on a research paper about telenovelas. That was how we got to interview papa Richard Gutierrez. This one was not just any normal research paper we do in school. It was for Rome.

UNIV stands for universality. It's an international (cultural and intellectual) gathering of university students in Rome to discuss issues concerning the year's theme. The theme for UNIV 2006 is "Projecting Culture through Mass Media" - the perfect topic for the five of us. Annually since 1960s, university students and professors of all races worldwide gather in Rome and present their research papers as representatives of their countries. Among the audience is the Pope - this year's the first for Pope Benedict XVI.

As a Catholic, just the experience of traveling to Rome is bigger than life. That and Holy Week in Rome is even bigger. Combine it with the celebration of UNIV, well, you get my point. Rare, rare opporunity.

Our paper got accepted for the nationals. I've been busy all this time because of this. Together with other research groups (of mostly female UP students), we're now official delegates for UNIV. My four groupmates backed out, leaving me the only one who can hopefully go to Rome. I'm not alone though, Marisel and other delegates are going too.

Ngayon, naloloka ako sa pagso-solicit. Kasi ba naman, kelangan namin mag-raise ng tatlong libong dolyar ($3000) each para matuloy sa Roma, kasama na dito lahat ng kelangang gastos (pati pang-taxi at pang-toothbrush). I-convert nyo sa pesos, pwede na kayong makabili ng secondhand na kotse. Ang sama-sama ko namang anak kung pagbabayarin ko mga magulang ko sa gastos. Kaya lang talaga, wala na kong matakbuhan para mahingan ng tulong (at pera). Exhausted na lahat ng connections namin, kaunti pa lang nare-raise ko.

Ayan ay ang dahilan kung bakit ako troubled. Isang araw, pag-gising nyo at may solicitation letter na sa ilalim ng unan nyo, sa'kin galing 'yon. Hahahaha. Hindi 'to joke.

Ngayong tumataas pa ang piso dahil sa mga welga-welga sa EDSA, matutuloy pa kaya ako? Hindi naman ako namamalimos, nagra-rant lang.

So Young

It's not time to make a change. Just relax, take it easy. You're still young, that's your fault. There's so much you have to know. - from the song "Father and Son" revived by Boyzone.

I disagree.

The things that we, the youth, accomplish are because of our age, not in spite of our age. Being in the university makes me realize that even though the world seems to be ruled by older people, the younger ones are more than scions waiting for their turn. They also rule the world. Big time.

We understand that there are delinquents among us, giving the impression that the next generations are getting worse. My say is: Don't let a rotten apple ruin the entire barrel. The good apples should make the rotten one look good.

I'm usually the (or one of the) youngest in the groups I belong to. Although age does not matter, I admit to take pride on being young.

Being in a group of older ones makes me look good. It's like I can do what they're doing in spite of my age. But I think it's not in spite of, it's because of. I take my drive from that. I always think that because I'm younger, I can do more. If I take action now, then in the future I've already accomplished a lot.

On the other hand, I use my age as an excuse if I happen to be different from the rest. When immaturity strikes me and people notice it, it's because of my age. When I'm clueless and passive while everyone's on the move, it's because I'm the youngest. When they underestimate me, it's also because of my age.

There are, I agree, advantages and disadvantages to being young. But still, more of the former than the latter.

Don't listen to Boyzone's words though it's a damn good song. If we have so much more to know, then it's now time to make a change.

(Hyuck, ang bait ko pakinggan. Parang totoo ah.)

EYE

Some of the things I have learned, become, and realized nowadays ...

I love life and I try to live it well.
I try so hard that I end up asleep on my bed, stalling.
I love speed. I love racing, tennis, basketball, and cramming.
I know that movies are real life, some are just not written down and filmed.
I sleep at 1:00 in the morning after playing computer games.
I have a Need for Speed. Part 2. Underground.
I'm a fan of effort.
I'm a fan of beautiful words and phrases that go together.
Cartoon turtles make me happy.
Everything cute is pink.
VAIN means Very Attractive Individuals. Ehem. K-5.
V is for Vendetta.
I'm the real Queen Amidala. See: Queen aMIMIdala.
Shopping is the total rehab.
Talking is therapy.
Listening is an art.
Beauty is in the angle.
"Nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." - Anne Frank