"Science and technology will teach us how to make a living; but only arts and literature will teach us how to LIVE."

Yes, your photo still sleeps
Underneath my pillow
Because i like the way
It feels like
You're still breathing
At the back of my neck
So haphazardly,
Like the way
You scribble your poems
On my frail arm

The 9th Annual Writers Workshop has just blown its curtains down. So far, this is the best thing i've learnt...

Poetry is a different language. Altogether a different one. It has implicit rules, weird kinds of freedom and tasty colors.

When somebody asks you, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" and you answer " I want to be a poet", they will either laugh at you, look at you sympathetically and tell you to get a "more secure" job or ask you "Aside from that...?"

(Should i let you see me smirk?)

I'm not complaining. I mean, i have been one of those pessimists/"realists" before. But I realized that i SHOULD teach myself how to LIVE. And fully LIVE.

I can't afford to be confined with papers and lunch meetings and iMacs. Deadlines, boss liaisons and gasoline. Of SMS deals, paychecks and rebonded hair.

I want to write. I like its mystery. I like its energy. I'm obsessed with it---whatever it exactly is---throbbing inside me...like a baby of five months.

Go.

Go find me a rich husband. Because I'll just write... :)

YOU KNOW WHAT THEY SAY? I SAY NAY.
Debunked Relationship Patterns

1. When you’re going steady, be sure it’s for love. Not necessarily. Sometimes, you agree to go steady because you wanna try if you can work things out. You are providing avenues for love to kick in---as evidenced by dating and lots of let’s-hang-out time. When you were still going out exclusively(as this is the prelude of “going steady”) you enjoy being so much with each other. But then again, there are a lot of couples out there who aren’t so sure of themselves being committed. The fact that both of you have agreed to go steady, well, that’s a good thing. But don’t fret if your partner does not tell you “I love you” just yet. Maybe s/he is still waiting for the perfect moment(if there is) or that s/he simply does not love you.

2. You can’t flirt if you’re already committed. Of course you still can! Just make sure it doesn’t go overboard (e.g. steamy liaisons). Remember that we, humans, are social beings. Sometimes a little flirting doesn’t hurt. But be honest to your partner also. You know when your flirting is harmless or if it’s bound to destroy trust. How? Ask yourself if you flirt for a “goal”. For example, you are flirting with your boyfriend’s friend because he’s sexy and you want to sleep with him. You even fantasize about having him as a boyfriend someday. See? You are even anticipating a break-up. That’s what overboard means.


3. Always ask permission. Respect your partner. You don’t really have to. A partnership is composed of two people (in the context of love & romance). Two different people. Two people who live two different lives, whose fates just met somewhere convenient and they both liked it that way. Of course you must inform your partner once in a while about what you are doing but you don’t have to tell him/her everything. And you can always say it afterwards. Just make sure it’s the truth.

4. Your virginity is the best gift you could give to your husband(/wife). Did you know that “sexual incompatibility” can be grounds for divorce? Well, regardless of whether you’ll be thanking me for that bit of knowledge or roll your eyes because you’ve read it before, it does not change the fact that for 90% of the people, sex is an eventuality. But it’s also not a requisite for marriage or a relationship. Oh, you know. You do it when you feel like...doing it, right? *wink*

5. When a relationship ends, both parties always have a share of the blame. It’s not like it’s pizza. Blame is so big a word that you have to say it in your most tactful way so as not to hurt people. But we have to accept the fact that shit happens, even to the most righteous ones. What if you’ve done everything for your partner but still he wanted something more? Different? Something new? Most couples and most friends-slash-commentators of the couples always say that both parties can always do something to save a relationship. But the real deal is that, sometimes, one of them is just too weak that the other cannot suffice. Then blame is supposed to be laid to someone. They share it. Or, people tell them to share it. Because we all know it would hurt less.


All is fair in love and war. But who wants war? Let’s just love. We can NOT force it. It inherently fills all of us. The question is, to whom would you spend most of it to?

kape tayo?

It’s amazing how coffee has become the latest "in" thing right now. Some only just went with the flow... some just wanted to also be "in" even if they didn't want coffee in the first place.

Making tambay in a famous---and expensive--- coffee shop (figaro, bo’s, basti’s, blugre, etc) has now become more of a social status symbol rather than just closing business deals or catching up with friends(which…err..can be done at some other places).

"Coffee" has also become the "ideal first date". This is because "coffee" is usually coupled with a lot of talk time and of course, pasta/pastry on the side. I think this is one of the easiest ways to assess whether your date is a high-maintenance one or not. It is also useful that the lighting in coffeeshops are a little dimmer than the usual fluorescent bulb. This actually makes your date look better(uh-huh). Dilated pupils, a little glow on the skin and a little shimmer on the hair. :) Neat. Slick neat.

The "pwede na" coffee shop usually has:

*coffee prices starting at P35/mug

*a wide range of beverage choices (coffee, shakes, tea, chocolate, even beer)

*cakes as tempting as one of the shop's waiters

*at least one couch

*a smoking and non smoking area

*mirrors or glass walls (everybody suddenly wants to be SEEN)

*WIFI

I remembered the days when my father still was a photographer at the city hall and "kape tayo?" just meant drinking 3in1 at Kusina Dabaw. Now, my dad, a senior manager, still says "kape tayo?", but when he tells me that, my mind suddenly paints the picture of Basti's brew Victoria, and of course, their orgasmic choco-caramel cake.

I was once shy

You Are 4% Shy

You aren't shy at all, in fact, you're probably quite outgoing. You are comfortable in almost any social situation, no matter how difficult.

How Shy Are You?

You Are Confident Sexy

You're one sexy chica, and you know it. You've got the confidence to strut your stuff... And approach any man who happens to catch your eye. You may make a guys run away, but the true men will appreciate your moxie.

What Kind of Sexy Girl Are You?

Oh well. *weird, big, sinister grin on the face*

-------------

I was once shy. I refused to raise my hand at class because even if i knew the answer, or even if i have something very relevant to say, i just can't. i simply can't.

I was once shy. My classmates used to tease me, and everytime the climax happens, i turn into Philippine Flag during times of war.

I was once shy. My knees would shake at the thought of saying "Hello my name is Karla" every first day of class.

I was once shy. That i refused to have my hair cut at salons just because. I ended up asking my dad to cut it so i suffered about a decade and two years of straight cut hair at whatever length i felt would look "best".

My shyness began to take a new form when i reached high school. I learned that people actually talk in front. And it happens a lot in high school. It funny coz i was really really talkative during my elementary years...teachers wouldn't know what seating arrangement would be best for me because i was really talkative. But I only talked to my seatmate/s. And that time, whoever my seatmate was, is my best friend.

I started being less shy when i found real friends. I mean, stable friends. The ones whom you have lunch with everyday and have shopping with every Saturday. The ones who will love you the first time you smelled arcade and the last time you talked about boys(did i say boys? okay, there is no last). I realized that the reason why i was shy before was the fear that nobody would care about what i will say. Why? Because I was sure not all of them cared for me. Hell, I didn't even have any stable friends.

My stable friends were my safety nets. They affirmed me and reaffirmed me. God, I love them. Since then, I wasn't shy anymore. I volunteer for a lot of stuff. In fact, I've become really---how you say?---socially active. I write for papers, I love class reporting, I debate in public, campaign for a politician and even flirt. And take note, this flirting takes off at five(six maybe?) different levels. Hehe. I kid. Bam's gonna arrest me for this. Of course, I act sensibly still. I don't wanna jeopardize my name---or the lack thereof, which inspires me to create one.

The survey's above? I say they're pretty accurate. :)