Monday, August 31, 2009

Books, books, books...

This summer I actually put a dent on my pile of unread books. Since June, I've read about 7 books, 4 of which were previously unread. Yes, you read that right. I read 4 new books which means I read 3 books I've previously read before.

I wonder if that's why my pile of unread books just keeps getting taller. Apart from constantly buying new books (I just received a package of 4 new ones), I seem to keep reading the same books. Come to think of it, I'm the same way with my dvds...I watch the same ones over and over.

Now how do I break from this habit?

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Back in LA

I'm back in LA after a 12-day vacation in Tokyo. Tokyo was fun and a breath of fresh air. It was a nice break from my busy albeit humdrum existence in LA.

This particular vacation left me a little more appreciative of the Japanese people and their culture. It also left me a little embarrassed for how impatient, rude and disrespectful some Americans (okay, most) act (me included). I met a few tourists on this trip and by far, the rudest ones were the Americans. It's not at all surprising that the rest of the world hate Americans. Why is it that Americans feel and act as if they are entitled to everything? Again, I am included in this mix of rude and impatient Americans. However, I do not have an answer as to why we act this way. One can speculate but I think the best thing is that I am cognizant of the way I am and there is still time to change.

Hopefully, being back in LA doesn't mean I go back to my old ways. I guess we'll see. :)

A couple more things to think about...
-apart from Sumo wrestlers, I did not see fat people in Tokyo
-I'm not sure what is in the water in Tokyo but it seems that everyone had flawless skin BUT they still had ProActiv ads on TV, lol
-Sushi Zo has better sushi ;)

Thursday, August 6, 2009

ABDC Top 10 Performances

10. SuperCr3w - Get Up Off of That Thing

9. Fanny Pak - Get Your Freak On (great performance!!!)

8. Breaks8 - Cupid Shuffle (Not a big fan. I felt they got by because of their "looks", charm and a gimmick. As far as dancing is concerned, they were more performers than actual dancers.)

7. Dynamic Edition - My Humps (Not a big fan either. I mean the clogging part is impressive but that's about it.)

6. Beat Freaks - Freeze (I liked this one a lot but I think they got lucky because they had the best prop to work with...but these girls CAN freakin' dance!)

5. Kabba Modern - Technologic (Talk about CLEAN!)

4. Strikers All Stars - Gimme More

3. Season 1 Top 4 - Hard Knock Life

2. Quest Crew - Piano Performance (I liked this performance but they actually had another routine that I preferred - don't remember which at the moment.)

1. Jabbawokeez - PYT (Not my favorite Jabba performance but all their routines were pretty awesome.)


Do I completely agree with this list? Not really. Can't wait for Season 4 though....starting this Sunday at 9pm. Tune in people!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Underestimate or Overestimate...Which is Worse?

I guess it really depends on the subject so let me elaborate...

Which is worse, overestimating or underestimating your own abilities/intellect?

Each have their merits but I (personally) think that underestimating your own abilities is a much worse offense than overestimating them. With the former, you are doing yourself a disservice by not living up to your full potential or at least not fully realizing your potential. There are probably several reasons why people tend to underestimate their abilities:

1.) because they've been repeatedly told that they're NOT good enough,

2.) because they've never been given credit for their accomplishments, and

3.) because they were never given a chance to shine (among others).

I'm one of the guilty ones (who tend to underestimate) although I'm not really sure why I do it. I guess partly because we were often told not to boast when we were younger. Arrogance is not very ladylike (not that I was ever arrogant, at least I don't think) or so they say. Which I guess is partly cultural as well. Growing up in the Philippines, in a strict and conservative Catholic environment, we were always taught to be humble and modest and polite. Fast-forward a few years later to living in the U.S. where individuality and being outspoken is highly valued, one gets into a state of identity confusion (especially since I moved to the US during my adolescent years).

Another reason why I slightly undermine my abilities is, partly, because I tend to be quite timid. I'd rather be on the sidelines than in the limelight (which is paradoxical in and of itself but such is life). The limelight doesn't scare me. It's the responsibilities that come with it that I'd rather not bear.

I recently realized that by underestimating myself I am only holding myself back from experiencing everything that life has to offer. I owe it to myself to be the best I can be and reach for the stars. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience."

Sunday, August 2, 2009

In a State of Neglect...

What a sorry state this blog (and the other) has been in... my apologies.

Summer school has taken all of my time and now that it's finally over, I have all the time in the world to blog. Haha, not quite. I've got a couple writing "projects" that I need to get going and I'm also leaving for a 2-week trip in about 11 days (so excited).

In the meantime, some updates:

1.) Applications and admission essays are due soon. Personal deadline: Labor day.

2.) I'm moving to another apartment in the same complex. Less closet space, BOO!

3.) Johns Hopkins open house is on Sept. 12th. Still contemplating on whether I should go or not.

4.) I have a few blog posts that I've been contemplating on writing but I'm waiting for the arrival of my new computer before I start on them. Typing on this little one can be quite a b*tch!

5.) I'm still trying to find the motivation to work out. I need to condition myself for the possibility of climbing Mt. Fuji. I have 11 days to get ready (on top of everything else).

6.) I bought a few books today (which means my pile of unread books just got larger). A couple of them are for research purposes. One is going back because I already have it (ooops) and one looks quite promising...it's called: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I think I have to reread the original before I start that one. :)


Note: Is it just me or do I seem to pile on too much on my plate? No wonder I never get anything done, lol. I hardly know where to begin!