A letter from New York
Sent to my friends from graduate school:
Hey everyone! Guess where I am at. Here are some clues:
M____ spent one and a half years of trauma in this location.
For dinner, we ate a $12 pastrami sandwich and a $14 blintz.
We went through doggy poop alley or as some would say, Upper East Side.
With the description mentioned above, could someone please slap M____ around and tell him that his nightmare is over. He is no longer in New York, but M_____ and I are!
The itinerary for today is Tiffany's the jewelry store, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History. It's great to see what the white man has stolen from the third world (no offense J_____. As a prof at Texas, you qualify as an economically disadvantaged person).
M____, the sirens of the cops, the lights being reflected from the streets, cars and god knows where else is still here. We actually went through Upper East Side and I believe I saw that market where you dropped by to buy some food.
Nice place to visit. We went walking to Times Square and it reminded me of Manila with the street vendors. Paul Jordin watches anyone? HOw about I love new york tee shirts? and how about some photographs of you while walking around? We actually did our portrait by a Chinese artist who sketches using charcoal and a pad. There are many Chinese artists on the streets drawing and presumably making a living. I hope they make lots of money.
God Bless America! and God Bless YOU GUYS!
Take care,
karinderia.blogspot.com
Saturday, April 17, 2004
Friday, April 16, 2004
New York Never Sleeps
It is now two o'clock in the morning in the city that never sleeps. I can still hear the honking of the taxis as they vie for a course on the road. I am staying in the 17th floor of a hotel near Times Square. At least the sky is black at night. Seven years ago, when I stayed with a friend of mine, the sky was gray because of all the light from the streets and the cars and the billboards.
Got in New York at about five in the evening. Thank goodness for daylight savings time. JFK was rather far from Times Square area. But, the taxi drive was invigorating. It reminded me again why New York taxi drivers are an adventure in itself.
Times Square is a blast with respect to photography. There are many "professional photographers" waiting to take your photo. Many of them just have a digital camera and a printer. They do not have one clue on how to take an interesting background. Some of the photographers are so nasty that they actually display photos of women with their underwear showing. I don't know why they do that, it is nasty.
There is something beautiful about the ability of people to sell their services on the streets of New YOrk. The SO and I had our portrait done by a Chinese man drawing on the sidewalk of New York. He managed to capture the eyes very well thought the SO. I thought that he managed to make people look the way they would look if they were perfect and underweight. I looked like I was 20 pounds lighter.
There are many street vendors here. They sell hotdogs and sausages and even shish kabobs. Who would have thought that you could find a slice of Manila in the middle of New York? Next thing you know, some Pin@y would start selling fish balls. That would be the end of capitalism. Who can resist fish balls?
It is now two o'clock in the morning in the city that never sleeps. I can still hear the honking of the taxis as they vie for a course on the road. I am staying in the 17th floor of a hotel near Times Square. At least the sky is black at night. Seven years ago, when I stayed with a friend of mine, the sky was gray because of all the light from the streets and the cars and the billboards.
Got in New York at about five in the evening. Thank goodness for daylight savings time. JFK was rather far from Times Square area. But, the taxi drive was invigorating. It reminded me again why New York taxi drivers are an adventure in itself.
Times Square is a blast with respect to photography. There are many "professional photographers" waiting to take your photo. Many of them just have a digital camera and a printer. They do not have one clue on how to take an interesting background. Some of the photographers are so nasty that they actually display photos of women with their underwear showing. I don't know why they do that, it is nasty.
There is something beautiful about the ability of people to sell their services on the streets of New YOrk. The SO and I had our portrait done by a Chinese man drawing on the sidewalk of New York. He managed to capture the eyes very well thought the SO. I thought that he managed to make people look the way they would look if they were perfect and underweight. I looked like I was 20 pounds lighter.
There are many street vendors here. They sell hotdogs and sausages and even shish kabobs. Who would have thought that you could find a slice of Manila in the middle of New York? Next thing you know, some Pin@y would start selling fish balls. That would be the end of capitalism. Who can resist fish balls?
Thursday, April 15, 2004
PCN as a tool for decolonization
I was a guest lecture at St. Mary's College yesterday. I discussed Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) as a tool for the decolonization of Filipino-Americans. My lecture was kept on track by Powerpoint which is an excellent presentation tool. I wonder how good the Apple version of presentation software is.
One of the points I tried to make to the students was that PCN offers a first step towards decolonization by allowing students to practice culture in a legitimate location. It is acceptable to learn and perform tinikling because of a cultural night at Zellerbach Hall. To practice dancing between two bamboo poles without an upcoming performance would be less acceptable.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
For some reason, my machine is doiong weird stuff. I will post later. I go to New York tomorrow so if you make sure that you enjoy your time in the weekend.
I was a guest lecture at St. Mary's College yesterday. I discussed Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) as a tool for the decolonization of Filipino-Americans. My lecture was kept on track by Powerpoint which is an excellent presentation tool. I wonder how good the Apple version of presentation software is.
One of the points I tried to make to the students was that PCN offers a first step towards decolonization by allowing students to practice culture in a legitimate location. It is acceptable to learn and perform tinikling because of a cultural night at Zellerbach Hall. To practice dancing between two bamboo poles without an upcoming performance would be less acceptable.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
For some reason, my machine is doiong weird stuff. I will post later. I go to New York tomorrow so if you make sure that you enjoy your time in the weekend.
PCN as a tool for decolonization
I was a guest lecture at St. Mary's College yesterday. I discussed Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) as a tool for the decolonization of Filipino-Americans. My lecture was kept on track by Powerpoint which is an excellent presentation tool. I wonder how good the Apple version of presentation software is.
One of the points I tried to make to the students was that PCN offers a first step towards decolonization by allowing students to practice culture in a legitimate location. It is acceptable to learn and perform tinikling because of a cultural night at Zellerbach Hall. To practice dancing between two bamboo poles without an upcoming performance would be less acceptable.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
I mentioned to my friend that I have this project of documenting PCN. One of the people/sudents I would like to meet and to interview is the Filipino who does not think he needs to decolonize. That person would be interesting to know because it would be a reflection of who I was at a much younger age. When I was in college, I felt that I knew what was important about culture and the history of the Philippines. I thought that compared to the history of Europe, the history of the PHilippines was worthless. Little did I know just how short my education and my lack of critical thinking had stranded me.
I was a guest lecture at St. Mary's College yesterday. I discussed Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) as a tool for the decolonization of Filipino-Americans. My lecture was kept on track by Powerpoint which is an excellent presentation tool. I wonder how good the Apple version of presentation software is.
One of the points I tried to make to the students was that PCN offers a first step towards decolonization by allowing students to practice culture in a legitimate location. It is acceptable to learn and perform tinikling because of a cultural night at Zellerbach Hall. To practice dancing between two bamboo poles without an upcoming performance would be less acceptable.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
I mentioned to my friend that I have this project of documenting PCN. One of the people/sudents I would like to meet and to interview is the Filipino who does not think he needs to decolonize. That person would be interesting to know because it would be a reflection of who I was at a much younger age. When I was in college, I felt that I knew what was important about culture and the history of the Philippines. I thought that compared to the history of Europe, the history of the PHilippines was worthless. Little did I know just how short my education and my lack of critical thinking had stranded me.
PCN as a tool for decolonization
I was a guest lecture at St. Mary's College yesterday. I discussed Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) as a tool for the decolonization of Filipino-Americans. My lecture was kept on track by Powerpoint which is an excellent presentation tool. I wonder how good the Apple version of presentation software is.
One of the points I tried to make to the students was that PCN offers a first step towards decolonization by allowing students to practice culture in a legitimate location. It is acceptable to learn and perform tinikling because of a cultural night at Zellerbach Hall. To practice dancing between two bamboo poles without an upcoming performance would be less acceptable.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
I was a guest lecture at St. Mary's College yesterday. I discussed Pilipino Cultural Night (PCN) as a tool for the decolonization of Filipino-Americans. My lecture was kept on track by Powerpoint which is an excellent presentation tool. I wonder how good the Apple version of presentation software is.
One of the points I tried to make to the students was that PCN offers a first step towards decolonization by allowing students to practice culture in a legitimate location. It is acceptable to learn and perform tinikling because of a cultural night at Zellerbach Hall. To practice dancing between two bamboo poles without an upcoming performance would be less acceptable.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
The students were composed of about 90% minorities which was a great thing because I felt more comfortable, and I thought that the lecture was more useful for them. I would have to wonder what a Caucasian person would use a lecture on decolonization for. Ideally, to understand his/her place in the whole colonizer world. But I doubt that this occurs.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Jesus is one of the many Buddhas
While speaking to a friend who is a Buddhist, I heard her speak one of those statements of truths.
And I suppose this is what makes Christianity so different from Buddhism. Christ is seen as the only way of salvation. One could be good, but if one does not follow Christ, one is not saved. Whereas in Buddhism, there is a reliance on your actions. It does not matter if you follow a particular Buddha or not.
In some ways, I can see why some people call Christianity a cult.
While speaking to a friend who is a Buddhist, I heard her speak one of those statements of truths.
"There are many Buddhas. You or I can be a Buddha dependin on how we live our life."
And I suppose this is what makes Christianity so different from Buddhism. Christ is seen as the only way of salvation. One could be good, but if one does not follow Christ, one is not saved. Whereas in Buddhism, there is a reliance on your actions. It does not matter if you follow a particular Buddha or not.
In some ways, I can see why some people call Christianity a cult.
Get a divorce!
From Barbara's blog, I read a story about Pin@y dying in Australia. In their haste to leave the poverty, the women run towards Australia and find death waiting in the riches of the continent. A message to men in general: When you separate with the Filipina, why don't you pursue divorce instead of bashing their skulls in? Divorce leaves you outside of prison.
From Barbara's blog, I read a story about Pin@y dying in Australia. In their haste to leave the poverty, the women run towards Australia and find death waiting in the riches of the continent. A message to men in general: When you separate with the Filipina, why don't you pursue divorce instead of bashing their skulls in? Divorce leaves you outside of prison.
Saturday, April 10, 2004
Onward Christian Soldier
I always thought that Christians were the most uninteresting people. Let's face it. The ones I have met in Berkeley always want to speak about Jesus and try to convert me into their church. No offense, but I have enough problems with one Catholic church. I don't need to add the problems of another church.
But just when I have about given up on Christian Pin@y bloggers, along came backspaced to return my faith on the indomitable spirit of humanity to overcome whatever restraints are placed upon them. Backspaced it the Pin@y Blog of the Day for the 10th of April 2004.
I always thought that Christians were the most uninteresting people. Let's face it. The ones I have met in Berkeley always want to speak about Jesus and try to convert me into their church. No offense, but I have enough problems with one Catholic church. I don't need to add the problems of another church.
But just when I have about given up on Christian Pin@y bloggers, along came backspaced to return my faith on the indomitable spirit of humanity to overcome whatever restraints are placed upon them. Backspaced it the Pin@y Blog of the Day for the 10th of April 2004.
The ring, one ring
I don't know what this dream means, but I dreamt that I finally bought the engagement ring. What is odd is that it was in a blue box. I bought it somewhere in San Francisco. And all I remember was how it glittered. Hmm, now I have to go searching for a real ring patterned after the ring in my dream? Thank goodness it did not have writing that glittered when the ring is placed in fire. No weird chanting voices came out either.
I don't know what this dream means, but I dreamt that I finally bought the engagement ring. What is odd is that it was in a blue box. I bought it somewhere in San Francisco. And all I remember was how it glittered. Hmm, now I have to go searching for a real ring patterned after the ring in my dream? Thank goodness it did not have writing that glittered when the ring is placed in fire. No weird chanting voices came out either.
Friday, April 09, 2004
Looking at the Stars from the Gutter
What do physicians think while they are in their training in medical school? Just what do they encounter in school to make them become healers? Now you have the chance to find out. gutterboy tells you all about his life and training from circumcision to alanis, and for that gutterboy is the Pinoy Blog of the Day for the 9th of April 2004.
What do physicians think while they are in their training in medical school? Just what do they encounter in school to make them become healers? Now you have the chance to find out. gutterboy tells you all about his life and training from circumcision to alanis, and for that gutterboy is the Pinoy Blog of the Day for the 9th of April 2004.
Babaylan Speaks
Dear Friends,
April's featured poet is Maiana Minahal with her poem "stolen kali" (written for a poetry/kali collaboration with Gura Michelle Bautista). Other items mentioned are
1) "Before Their Words," a multidisciplinary performance in San Francisco with Maiana, Michelle, Nedjula Baguio and Rona Fernandez;
2) Michelle and Eileen Tabios's poetry/kali performance coming up at Mills College;
3) information on Eileen's latest e-poetry chapbook CRUCIAL BLISS EPILOGUES;
4) a review of Eileen's short story collection BEHIND THE BLUE CANVAS (Giraffe, 2004); and
5) information on Eileen Tabios's poetry reading in Los Angeles on April 25, with guest artist Mary Talusan.
Happy Reading!
Jade Afable
Associate Editor
Meritage Press
Dear Friends,
April's featured poet is Maiana Minahal with her poem "stolen kali" (written for a poetry/kali collaboration with Gura Michelle Bautista). Other items mentioned are
1) "Before Their Words," a multidisciplinary performance in San Francisco with Maiana, Michelle, Nedjula Baguio and Rona Fernandez;
2) Michelle and Eileen Tabios's poetry/kali performance coming up at Mills College;
3) information on Eileen's latest e-poetry chapbook CRUCIAL BLISS EPILOGUES;
4) a review of Eileen's short story collection BEHIND THE BLUE CANVAS (Giraffe, 2004); and
5) information on Eileen Tabios's poetry reading in Los Angeles on April 25, with guest artist Mary Talusan.
Happy Reading!
Jade Afable
Associate Editor
Meritage Press
JOKE LANG COMEDY NIGHT
There will be a comedy night to benefit the International Hotel. Those living in the San Francisco Bay Area should know about the history of the I Hotel because it is an example of the collision between modernization and the social welfare of the elderly. In life, society and we as members of society make choices which are not often the best choice for those of us who do not have the financial werewithal to fight.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Doors open: 6pm, Show starts: 6:30 pm
Zellerbach Auditorium, UC Berkeley
Featuring
Rex Navarette, Kevin Camia Brent Weinbachand MORE! Experience live music by SPAMSILOG
A BENEFIT FOR THE RISE OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOTEL AND THE MANILATOWN CENTER
The International Hotel was the home for many Chinese and Filipino elderly immigrants, and was the last standing block of a 10-block area that was previously known as Manilatown. From 1968 to 1977 the International Hotel Tenants Association led the defense of their home against eviction, for affordable housing, and preservation of their Chinatown-Manilatown community. The new International Hotel and the Manilatown Center will be opening in May 2005.
$10 Pre-sale, sliding scale $10-15(+) @ DOOR, general seating
questions?: JokeLang_2004@hotmail.com
There will be a comedy night to benefit the International Hotel. Those living in the San Francisco Bay Area should know about the history of the I Hotel because it is an example of the collision between modernization and the social welfare of the elderly. In life, society and we as members of society make choices which are not often the best choice for those of us who do not have the financial werewithal to fight.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Doors open: 6pm, Show starts: 6:30 pm
Zellerbach Auditorium, UC Berkeley
Featuring
Rex Navarette, Kevin Camia Brent Weinbachand MORE! Experience live music by SPAMSILOG
A BENEFIT FOR THE RISE OF THE INTERNATIONAL HOTEL AND THE MANILATOWN CENTER
The International Hotel was the home for many Chinese and Filipino elderly immigrants, and was the last standing block of a 10-block area that was previously known as Manilatown. From 1968 to 1977 the International Hotel Tenants Association led the defense of their home against eviction, for affordable housing, and preservation of their Chinatown-Manilatown community. The new International Hotel and the Manilatown Center will be opening in May 2005.
$10 Pre-sale, sliding scale $10-15(+) @ DOOR, general seating
questions?: JokeLang_2004@hotmail.com
Thursday, April 08, 2004
She Has Nothing to Say
curlytops supposedly has difficulty putting into words her experience. I wish I had her gift of writing then because she manages to cut into the beauty of life using Taglish. Normally, I would wince at the mix of languages, but with curlytops' writing I sense the drama and the dignity of everyday life in the Philippines. Her blog is the Pin@y Blog of the Day for the 8th of April 2004. Check out her March 29 2004 entry about "Dalaga na si Bunso" and you will understand the speed of time coursing around you.
curlytops supposedly has difficulty putting into words her experience. I wish I had her gift of writing then because she manages to cut into the beauty of life using Taglish. Normally, I would wince at the mix of languages, but with curlytops' writing I sense the drama and the dignity of everyday life in the Philippines. Her blog is the Pin@y Blog of the Day for the 8th of April 2004. Check out her March 29 2004 entry about "Dalaga na si Bunso" and you will understand the speed of time coursing around you.
Pilipino Cultural Night
I have a lecture coming up next week. I will be discussing PCN's with respect to history, decolonization, power relations, and essentialism. As a result, I have been spending time writing on the BART going to and from work, and I have not been blogging lately also.
PCN has been one of the more interesting animals I have come across. At first, the necessity of PCN eluded me. "Why do you have to dance Philippine folk dance again? To know your Pin@y culture? Didn't your parents teach you that already? Your grades are suffering! You should drop PCN and study!" is usually the stuff I would mutter to myself.
But time has a great way of showing you why some things are important. Going to grad school allowed me to analyze America and its associated systems of government and laws. History made me realize just how important it is for someone to be able to obtain data about one's own people. And my own dramatic decrease in facility with the Tagalog language woke me up to the rapidity with which culture and language can be lost in a place away from the Philippines.
I have tried to photograph and document the PCN's from 2000 to 2004. But something has always come up and made me unavailable. Just recently, however, I realized that maybe I needed to have this four years of not seeing PCN so that I can be ready for some project. While preparing the lecture, I realized that maybe, I would be in a position to document PCN at UC Berkeley in a documentary.
The timing is almost right. In two years, it would have been twenty years since I first set foot on the Berkeley campus and heard about the Pilipino-American Alliance. I would like to see the differences between the students who are entering Berkeley now versus the students who entered in the 1980's. PCN itself just celebrated 25 years at Berkeley several years ago (maybe in 1999?).
I will see how the stars align.
I have a lecture coming up next week. I will be discussing PCN's with respect to history, decolonization, power relations, and essentialism. As a result, I have been spending time writing on the BART going to and from work, and I have not been blogging lately also.
PCN has been one of the more interesting animals I have come across. At first, the necessity of PCN eluded me. "Why do you have to dance Philippine folk dance again? To know your Pin@y culture? Didn't your parents teach you that already? Your grades are suffering! You should drop PCN and study!" is usually the stuff I would mutter to myself.
But time has a great way of showing you why some things are important. Going to grad school allowed me to analyze America and its associated systems of government and laws. History made me realize just how important it is for someone to be able to obtain data about one's own people. And my own dramatic decrease in facility with the Tagalog language woke me up to the rapidity with which culture and language can be lost in a place away from the Philippines.
I have tried to photograph and document the PCN's from 2000 to 2004. But something has always come up and made me unavailable. Just recently, however, I realized that maybe I needed to have this four years of not seeing PCN so that I can be ready for some project. While preparing the lecture, I realized that maybe, I would be in a position to document PCN at UC Berkeley in a documentary.
The timing is almost right. In two years, it would have been twenty years since I first set foot on the Berkeley campus and heard about the Pilipino-American Alliance. I would like to see the differences between the students who are entering Berkeley now versus the students who entered in the 1980's. PCN itself just celebrated 25 years at Berkeley several years ago (maybe in 1999?).
I will see how the stars align.
Sunday, April 04, 2004
Advice to a College Senior
First off, congratulations on getting admitted to a University of California campus. Only the top 10% of high school graduates earn that distinction. The way in which the state of California designed the state schools, those who have a higher chance of continuing to advanced degrees like a master degree or a doctorate in philosophy generally attend the UC campuses.
However, you really wanted to get into UCLA and not UC Davis. What to do? What to do? I already have spoken to you about this before. The students who usually get into Berkeley or UCLA are those who want that school so badly that they will do anything to get into the school. That means special projects, going the extra mile in extra-curricular activities, and playing sports. And yes, appealing a rejection letter to UCLA is part of that taste in your mouth.
If your pride does not allow you to write an appeal and plan a course of action to show just how much you want UCLA, then the school might just be right in rejecting your application. Every applicant is smart, has the extra-curricular activities and is distinguished. The only difference among students is what resides in their heart.
"But what about family? What about my sister? What about my parents?" you ask. As with anything else, this decision must be based on what you yourself want not only at this time point in your life, but also in the future, say twenty years from now. What is your gut instinct telling you to do? Do you belong in UCLA or in Davis? Are you going to be happy staying at home? Are you going to be happy in Davis? Or, do you know that you belong to UCLA?
The exceptional students do not let anything hamper them from attaining their desires. This is just another challenge thrown your way. I personally scoff when people say that their family can not afford college. This is America. If you want it bad enough you will find a way. It's time to grow up.
Ten or twenty years from now, your parents will be in the grave. Your siblings will be married with their families. Where will you be? Will you be regretting your choice in school? The ones who do well in life are the ones who sought and chased after their dreams. In life, achievable dreams come so rarely. Choosing your college is one of them. Do not just think about the now. Think about yourself in the future.
Why do I personally care about your situation? Because I have seen talented Filipinos SETTLE for less than what they are worth because of FEAR. If I stand by and let talented people settle, pretty soon, the Filipino community will be full of people who settled. Life is not about settling. Life is about living.
Twenty years ago, my father was dying of leukemia. I had to choose a college. I was already accepted into UCLA. But, Berkeley came calling to me. Berkeley offered scholarships. Going to Berkeley would mean leaving my mother and family. I would have to be alone. In my gut, I knew I had to go to Berkeley. Seeing Berkeley for the first time made me wince, because it was not as pretty as UCLA. In the end though, I would not have changed anything in my experience. Berkeley made me who I am. Berkeley allowed me to excel. Berkeley challenged me to find who I am. In exchange for that privilege, I had to leave my family. But you know what? I learned to forge a mature and loving relationship with them. I appreciated them more after knowing what they sacrificed for me. Leaving made me find my love for my family.
I look at you and I know that UCLA will bring out the best in you. That is of course if you desire UCLA enough.
First off, congratulations on getting admitted to a University of California campus. Only the top 10% of high school graduates earn that distinction. The way in which the state of California designed the state schools, those who have a higher chance of continuing to advanced degrees like a master degree or a doctorate in philosophy generally attend the UC campuses.
However, you really wanted to get into UCLA and not UC Davis. What to do? What to do? I already have spoken to you about this before. The students who usually get into Berkeley or UCLA are those who want that school so badly that they will do anything to get into the school. That means special projects, going the extra mile in extra-curricular activities, and playing sports. And yes, appealing a rejection letter to UCLA is part of that taste in your mouth.
If your pride does not allow you to write an appeal and plan a course of action to show just how much you want UCLA, then the school might just be right in rejecting your application. Every applicant is smart, has the extra-curricular activities and is distinguished. The only difference among students is what resides in their heart.
"But what about family? What about my sister? What about my parents?" you ask. As with anything else, this decision must be based on what you yourself want not only at this time point in your life, but also in the future, say twenty years from now. What is your gut instinct telling you to do? Do you belong in UCLA or in Davis? Are you going to be happy staying at home? Are you going to be happy in Davis? Or, do you know that you belong to UCLA?
The exceptional students do not let anything hamper them from attaining their desires. This is just another challenge thrown your way. I personally scoff when people say that their family can not afford college. This is America. If you want it bad enough you will find a way. It's time to grow up.
Ten or twenty years from now, your parents will be in the grave. Your siblings will be married with their families. Where will you be? Will you be regretting your choice in school? The ones who do well in life are the ones who sought and chased after their dreams. In life, achievable dreams come so rarely. Choosing your college is one of them. Do not just think about the now. Think about yourself in the future.
Why do I personally care about your situation? Because I have seen talented Filipinos SETTLE for less than what they are worth because of FEAR. If I stand by and let talented people settle, pretty soon, the Filipino community will be full of people who settled. Life is not about settling. Life is about living.
Twenty years ago, my father was dying of leukemia. I had to choose a college. I was already accepted into UCLA. But, Berkeley came calling to me. Berkeley offered scholarships. Going to Berkeley would mean leaving my mother and family. I would have to be alone. In my gut, I knew I had to go to Berkeley. Seeing Berkeley for the first time made me wince, because it was not as pretty as UCLA. In the end though, I would not have changed anything in my experience. Berkeley made me who I am. Berkeley allowed me to excel. Berkeley challenged me to find who I am. In exchange for that privilege, I had to leave my family. But you know what? I learned to forge a mature and loving relationship with them. I appreciated them more after knowing what they sacrificed for me. Leaving made me find my love for my family.
I look at you and I know that UCLA will bring out the best in you. That is of course if you desire UCLA enough.
Saturday, April 03, 2004
Reality or What Passes for It
rundmb discusses how reality can be revisited and replayed in one's mind. I used to do that a lot. I was never truly happy about how the world was fashioned in its imperfect state. I used to daydream about making it better. The trouble I ran into was that I was beginning to spend more and more time in the dream state than in the reality state of mind. Looking back now, this is probably how people go mad. Little by litttle, they switch from reality into dreamscape.
With the advances in neurobiology, I can now just attribute the escape from reality into some overactive lobe of the brain. If scientists can determine that people in love have overactive regions of the brain, then other behavioral patterns must also have the same basis in the brain. But I suppose what people say about genius and madness being separated by a thin line is true.
rundmb discusses how reality can be revisited and replayed in one's mind. I used to do that a lot. I was never truly happy about how the world was fashioned in its imperfect state. I used to daydream about making it better. The trouble I ran into was that I was beginning to spend more and more time in the dream state than in the reality state of mind. Looking back now, this is probably how people go mad. Little by litttle, they switch from reality into dreamscape.
With the advances in neurobiology, I can now just attribute the escape from reality into some overactive lobe of the brain. If scientists can determine that people in love have overactive regions of the brain, then other behavioral patterns must also have the same basis in the brain. But I suppose what people say about genius and madness being separated by a thin line is true.
Friday, April 02, 2004
Do you want to see the future?
The beauty of life is truth. To get a glimpse of truth, go to rundmb the Pinoy Blog of the Day for the 2nd of April 2004. Watch as college, high school and family life come under the spotlight. Truth in all its beauty comes out.
The beauty of life is truth. To get a glimpse of truth, go to rundmb the Pinoy Blog of the Day for the 2nd of April 2004. Watch as college, high school and family life come under the spotlight. Truth in all its beauty comes out.
The Impermanence of Things
On Monday, I become a permanent employee. I have a great boss and the group is making a product that is sold in the business. I am jazzed, excited, happy and grateful. Three months of uncertainty in the unemployment line sucking at the teat of the American government that I love and critique is enough to make me worry about my future.
Three years ago, give or take a few months, I started another job. I wondered then how long I would last in the company. But two years of a post-doc and pretty much anything that pays money makes you grateful. Twelve years ago, I began graduate school the same night that tanks rolled into Moscow. I saw five years of graduate school extend into nearly seven years. But I was gratefull because graduate school let me try my hand at being an adult with my family ready to support me in case I failed. Graduate school allowed me to be inquisitive about the world and not have to worry about where I was going to get my food or shelter.
I learned many lessons in these past few years. Perhaps the most important lesson is to take care of myself. To ask myself why I do the things I do. Why worry about things that I have no control over? To enjoy every single day because each day is a gift that will never come back. All this I shared and learned from the SO.
On Monday, I become a permanent employee. I have a great boss and the group is making a product that is sold in the business. I am jazzed, excited, happy and grateful. Three months of uncertainty in the unemployment line sucking at the teat of the American government that I love and critique is enough to make me worry about my future.
Three years ago, give or take a few months, I started another job. I wondered then how long I would last in the company. But two years of a post-doc and pretty much anything that pays money makes you grateful. Twelve years ago, I began graduate school the same night that tanks rolled into Moscow. I saw five years of graduate school extend into nearly seven years. But I was gratefull because graduate school let me try my hand at being an adult with my family ready to support me in case I failed. Graduate school allowed me to be inquisitive about the world and not have to worry about where I was going to get my food or shelter.
I learned many lessons in these past few years. Perhaps the most important lesson is to take care of myself. To ask myself why I do the things I do. Why worry about things that I have no control over? To enjoy every single day because each day is a gift that will never come back. All this I shared and learned from the SO.
Thursday, April 01, 2004
Man's Inhumanity
The April 1st San Francisco Chronicle's headline says "Horror at Faluja." Four American contractors were killed by Iraqi gunmen; the bodies were burned, defiled, and strung up on a bridge. The American newscasts have been repeating the newscycle since last night.
This episode makes me wonder at the gift of America for self-delusion. What did we as a nation and a people expect from a war? Did we as a nation think that just because America says that the war is over that the resistance will cease? The very presence of Americans in Iraq will continue to prod the Iraqis into resistance whether or not the Iraqis sympathized with Saddam Hussein or not.
Another aspect that this horror brings up is how America gives more value to American lives than to an Iraqi life. Three thousand people die at the World Trade Center; America goes to war. Less than 10,000 American soldiers have died in Iraq. Compare that number to the amount of Iraqis killed. It is with great admiration that I look upon the ability of America and Amerians to be horrified at the defilement of burned bodies and at the same time rationalize away the fact that a missile killing Iraqi civilians is also a very horrible event.
The Americans killed were contract workers who provided security. To me, this means that the men killed were knowledgeable soldiers. They were capitalists working in Iraq to make money. They knew that there was a war. They knew the risk. I will not be horrified at the way their bodies were treated. I will however rejoice at the fact that here in America, you can legally make money from a war by becoming a contract security guard.
If I was working in Iraq as a contract security guard, I would be riding a tank.
By the way, infraternammeam asked me if I would let the soldiers die in Iraq. Yes, I would because we are already in the damned country and participating in the war. To pull out prematurely is to repeat the mistake that Bush the First made in the first gulf war. I don't want a third gulf war to happen. Let's finish what we started. Get Iraq a democratic government. It is only the politics of Bush trying to get re-elected that we are even thinking of pulling out. Bush is a wimp. He never served in Vietnam.
The April 1st San Francisco Chronicle's headline says "Horror at Faluja." Four American contractors were killed by Iraqi gunmen; the bodies were burned, defiled, and strung up on a bridge. The American newscasts have been repeating the newscycle since last night.
This episode makes me wonder at the gift of America for self-delusion. What did we as a nation and a people expect from a war? Did we as a nation think that just because America says that the war is over that the resistance will cease? The very presence of Americans in Iraq will continue to prod the Iraqis into resistance whether or not the Iraqis sympathized with Saddam Hussein or not.
Another aspect that this horror brings up is how America gives more value to American lives than to an Iraqi life. Three thousand people die at the World Trade Center; America goes to war. Less than 10,000 American soldiers have died in Iraq. Compare that number to the amount of Iraqis killed. It is with great admiration that I look upon the ability of America and Amerians to be horrified at the defilement of burned bodies and at the same time rationalize away the fact that a missile killing Iraqi civilians is also a very horrible event.
The Americans killed were contract workers who provided security. To me, this means that the men killed were knowledgeable soldiers. They were capitalists working in Iraq to make money. They knew that there was a war. They knew the risk. I will not be horrified at the way their bodies were treated. I will however rejoice at the fact that here in America, you can legally make money from a war by becoming a contract security guard.
If I was working in Iraq as a contract security guard, I would be riding a tank.
By the way, infraternammeam asked me if I would let the soldiers die in Iraq. Yes, I would because we are already in the damned country and participating in the war. To pull out prematurely is to repeat the mistake that Bush the First made in the first gulf war. I don't want a third gulf war to happen. Let's finish what we started. Get Iraq a democratic government. It is only the politics of Bush trying to get re-elected that we are even thinking of pulling out. Bush is a wimp. He never served in Vietnam.
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