Being Socially Modern

I believe I truly belong in this modern age!

I remember my grade school days when computers were still limited to school’s computer room and to those who can afford to have one. I was thinking if only I could own a personal computer, it would be easier for me to study doing an online research.

Web research was a required project for us in our computer subject back then. I even dread it when I had to go to a computer shop (which was several walks from our house). I found online research more complicated before compared to now. I’m glad we have Google now!

When I reached high school, I’m glad we started having our own computer at home. Most of our school projects also encouraged us to use internet for online research and to create presentations in Microsoft Powerpoint.

And then came Friendster which was a hit during my college days.  Since I’ve met several classmates in high school, it would be great to catch up with them through this most popular social network back then. I recall there were personal testimonials from close friends and classmates who visit your Friendster profile.

Soon I found my very first job in a Business Process Outsourcing company here in the Philippines. After several months of staying in that company, I received an invite from a colleague for a newcomer social network. And I was like why bother create another profile?!

It took me a while before finally joining one of the biggest social networks in the cyberspace now. That is Facebook!

I never thought I’d also dare to create a Facebook profile. That I’ll be eager to learning to use it without having to read a manual!  Kidding aside, this also led me to be temporarily addicted with Facebook games which became my pastime and favorite destressor.

And now we have Twitter which is one of my most favorite!  The first time I used it I felt at lost. I couldn’t understand what it is for.

But as I learned to explore using it I appreciated it even more. I got to learn using it by observing others how they use theirs.  I admit I get updates of latest news mostly from this site and I also learn from other people’s Twitter updates which is great!

Still there are other social media sites that have become popular to most people such as Instagram, Pinterest, and who would not forget Youtube!

Being socially active online seems to be a norm. Sometimes, it can get overwhelming but still they are great avenues for us to connect, not only to people who matter to us but also follow popular people whom we admire.

Changing your Perception of Beauty

I came across with this intriguing video shared on Facebook the other day. A friend even had her status about the video which made her cry so I watched it and even re-watched it for like a couple of times already.

I tried checking on Youtube and I was amazed since as of this writing, the 3 minute uploaded video already garnered 54 million views on Youtube!

Sometimes it’s also great to be reminded to appreciate and embrace more our natural beauty. And I believe nothing beats displaying our most beautiful smile!

Cheers and be inspired watching the video below:

Remembering the Days without Internet at Home

Research Bar (Photo credit: Rice-Aron Library)

Writing in a blog is indeed challenging.  At times, I can’t seem to find words to express myself. It’s odd but it’s very true for me.  Sometimes a good topic pops in your mind but then when you start to write, your mind suddenly turns into blank state.  It’s funny though that I am still able to write something for today.  I just want to write more often right now and I hope to develop this as a habit in the next couple of days.

Anyway, I remember a particular episode in a comedy kiddie TV show being shown here in the Philippines called Going Bulilit.  They cited instances what people do in the past as compared in the present.  I especially liked when they reenacted situations you can instantly relate with.  For instance, kids before would always go out and play with their neighbors. Most of the time they are reprimanded by their parents for staying up too late outside the house. Then when internet and hi-tech gadgets became available, kids nowadays would rather stay inside the house to use internet for Facebook or just play games in a smart phone. Another situation they showed is researching with the use of an encyclopedia. I really laughed hard when I saw that. Doing a research is a lot easier now because you can simply Google it right in front of your personal computer with an internet connection.

I immediately recalled the times when internet was only available in school and when you have to go to an internet shop.  I used to hate internet before because I also found researching difficult especially when it’s something new for me.  I even told myself that if we have personal computer with internet at home I would really study and learn searching! And yes, it’s been years since I learned how to use internet and using Google to search for topics I need to research on. Even here in WordPress, I am still learning and it’s nice to learn more!

Perfection

Natalie Portman won the Oscar’s Best Actress Award for Black Swan!

Though I was not able to watch the Oscars live, I am still updated. Thanks to the people who love sharing news on Facebook.  Before that, I was already curious since I read very short reviews about the film and Natalie Portman’s great portrayal in the movie.

Just last week, my mom and I watched the movie Black Swan. I was initially told by my mom that the film would mostly deal with psychology.  Never did I realize I would find the movie suspenseful. Some parts of the movie I really found disturbing especially for very young ones. I wondered why the movie is rated 13 only when I think it must be rated 18. Just my opinion since the movie is currently shown here in the Philippines and most people here are still not open talking which are for adults only.

Mind you my mom even told me not to watch some sensitive scenes in the movie. But at some point I wondered my mother must have forgotten I am already in my past 20s! My goodness I believe I must also open myself to some issues of sexuality. I know I am matured enough to understand these things.

Because of this I found some resemblances in Nina’s relationship with her controlling mother in the movie vis-à-vis my relationship with my mom. At times I find my mom so conservative with the way I should dress in public like for instance when we went to Boracay two years ago. Since most women wear short shorts, I also wore mine. My mom discouraged me since I looked thin and it did not suit me. I felt bad then since it became a very big deal. But then it just came to my mind that maybe what she was telling to me was right. Guess what, I changed to my more decent and comfortable clothes. Glad I did since I felt the cold air when we went outside that evening!

Anyway, the following question came to my mind after I watched the movie: Can anyone really achieve such perfection?  I suppose some who may be reading this have already watched the film. What I liked about it is it really focused to its central theme of perfection. It is told in the perspective of Nina who struggles in becoming perfect as a ballerina dancer. She has become obsessed that she overworked herself just to perfect her dance moves instead of just enjoying her moment of dancing.

In some ways, I could easily relate to her character. I too admit that I also tend to become perfectionist but now in a more relaxed way I guess. I know I have already missed a couple of days posting in my WordPress blog. But that does not mean I should get upset. I would always tell myself to take time and just be relaxed. I could still get back on track.

I realized that sometimes becoming overly obsessed with perfectionism leads to stress and extreme pressure. This has happened to me before. I must have felt toxic since it also affected my relationship with the group I headed in my community before. After that incident, I mellowed and become more relaxed in dealing with them.

It also helped that I temporarily left the community I am still part of since this enabled me to reflect on the beautiful things I did. I never thought I could accomplish great things being a leader in our community knowing that I was shy before I became all out in my service.  I am happy to have already overcome my shyness and I am embracing my better self now.

As I end my today’s post, I would like to share the most striking line in the movie:

“Perfection is not just about control, it is also about Letting Go.” –Black Swan

Tale of a Lost Phone

Leaving my mobile phone at home sometimes gets me paranoid. Today, I just left it or have I misplaced it? Anyway, I feel so incomplete as if I lost something! Perfect!

When I don’t have my phone with me, my mind starts to wonder about the many text messages left unread. I can just imagine what if there is an important message which I have to answer right away.

Since I am into business, I also have contacts saved in my mobile phone. Not creating a back-up list of contacts would indeed get me into paranoia. Aside from communicating with friends, using a mobile phone is definitely important especially when I have to attend immediately to the customer’s messages.

Personally, I also find my mobile phone useful especially when I feel alone sometimes. I would just text and pretend as if I have a text mate! Texting also serves as my outlet to talk to God whenever I feel like sharing something. I would usually type them in the Notes under Organizer. I feel that it is more secure for me than creating a message. I have an experience before that I received some messages in Inbox when they were only saved in Drafts. I really found that strange. Hence, I am taking safety precautions. Kidding aside, sharing something helps me become relieved especially in times of distress and even in my happiness state.

P.S. Just an update about my mobile phone, I have already found it! Glad I did! I realized I have only placed it inside my bag. It must have been hidden with the other stuffs. I must really keep an eye to my belongings the next time. =)