Here's to the last day of 2013...

2014 is literally right around the corner and I'm just thinking about how great 2013 was to me. I'm going to admit, I had an unbelievably rough start but it was up up up from then on. From major academic decisions, to spur of the moment career changes, I literally experienced it all this year. That being said, I definitely learned more than I would have ever expected.

There are three things that this year has really taught me to understand.

Motivation. Look, in college I've learned that you will go nowhere when you lack the initiative and motivation. The motivation to be on top of all the workload. The motivation to talk to someone who is much wiser and experienced than you are. The motivation to surpass your own expectations. The motivation to look into a career that you will enjoy and love and at the same time secure your future. The motivation to finally start something you've been planning to do for months. the motivation to try something new and challenging.  And most importantly, the motivation to be happy and content.

Determinism. Being determined, to me, means seeing things through. Determinism works hand in hand with motivation and means so much more than getting sh*t done. Determinism means having the conviction that you are capable of succeeding. It means being able to face all of life's obstacles even while knowing that you may very well fail in doing so. It means being able to move on and learn from the mistakes you've made and accepting the fact that failure is part of life. Determinism definitely plays a big role in a happy and fulfilling life.

Humility. It's NOT always about YOU. It's NOT always about the things you've done. It's NOT about every single one of your successes. And it most definitely is NOT being looked up to because you're the smartest, prettiest, happiest, or wealthiest. It's more about self growth and how you've helped yourself by succeeding and exceeding your expectations for yourself. It feels good to be right and to be the best at something, but there is no need to shove it down everyone's throat. Sometimes, to be quite honest, it just comes off as insensitive and cocky. I am in no way saying to not be proud of your accomplishments, but there are humble ways in showing off that pride. You just have to know the difference.

I've also learned a few things about shame and what NOT to ever be shameful about, ever.

There is, without a doubt, no shame in:

...making a mistake. You should never ever feel ashamed for making a mistake. We are not perfect beings and we're all entitled to making mistakes every so often.

...taking that last slice of cake at a party. Look, you only get to enjoy the joys of life once. Eat that damn cake and don't feel guilty about it. If it makes you feel better, go out for a run the next day and sweat out those measly calories you gained.

...admitting you're wrong. Just own up to it. Don't make an ass out of yourself trying to prove yourself right when you know fully well your wrong.

...being blunt. Your friend looks fat in that dress? tell her! Then, give her some sane fashion advice. I'd much rather have a blunt and honest friend than someone who's fake.

...embracing who you are. Quirky, crazy, a little out there? So be it! 

...saying no. NO. NO. NO. There's no shame in that

...being scared and vulnerable. Courage is a great trait and there's no denying that. BUT we are entitled to be weak and scared. We don't have to show the world that we are, but don't lie to yourself about it.


So there's that. I've definitely enjoyed this year, but I look forward to 2014 :)

Things I Care About: Education in Third World Countries

For a lifestyle blogger like myself, sometimes I publish posts that tend to come off as superficial or materialistic. However, there are some real world issues that really do matter to me aside from the newest music, or current fashion trends. One of my biggest advocacy is education in the Philippines (my home country, also considered as a third world country in Southeast Asia). I currently work at a non-profit based in New York city that promotes civic engagement and collaboration within the Filipino-American community. Before I was hired to work, I interned for a couple of months and had to do some sociopolitical as well as historical research about the Philippines. I also had to write a speech about a pressing issue that is important to me. Below is the speech I delivered in front of other staff members and fellow interns regarding issues of Philippine higher education.

image via

\Originally published on the Pilipino American Unity for Progress (UniPro) website/blog here.

The Tragic Cost of Higher Education in the Philippines

Sixty thousand pesos – That is the average annual cost of tuition for a student entering college in the Philippines. You can expect a high school graduate entering his/her first year of college to shell out somewhere between thirty thousand to up to ninety thousand pesos just for tuition alone.

When you ask Filipino parents about their dreams for their children, an inevitable answer would be to be able to send them to school and finish their education. This isn’t surprising most especially because the Philippines is a nation that values education. For Filipinos, education is a prized possession and a college diploma is one’s ticket to a better life. So it should also come to no surprise that many Filipino parents go beyond their means in order to give their children a decent education.

Unfortunately, in the Philippines, higher education comes with a hefty price tag. Private schools are notorious for their constant increase in tuition costs mainly because they are profit driven institutions. But even state-run universities and colleges have a difficult time providing financial support to students due to the shrinking financial funding from the government. This makes the costs of higher education stiff for many Filipino households. You’re probably wondering, how about the public school system, isn’t that free and subsidized by the government? Yes that’s true, public schools are subsidized by the government and can be attained for free or at a very low cost. However, the public schooling system only applies to grade school through high school, which means that for a college education it is expected for the student and his/her family to bear the full cost.

Earlier this year, Kristel Tejada, a student from the University of the Philippines-Manila committed suicide after she could no longer fund her own education at the university and after being humiliated due to her incapacity to do so. It is unfortunate for a student to take her own life simply because she couldn’t afford her own education. It is even more upsetting because the University of the Philippines is a state university known for their “Iskolar ng Bayan” (national scholars), and their supposed higher sensitivity for aiding students from less advantaged sectors possessing academic merit and potential.

Regrettably, her suicide is just a symptom of a larger crisis affecting the country’s educational system. Many educational institutions are notorious for implementing a tuition installment plan, which strategically places payment due dates right before exam time. These plans delay and sometimes even prevent students from taking important exams because they are unable to pay their tuition on time. During the time I spent studying in the Philippines, I’ve seen parents and students alike ask for an extension come exam time because they simply couldn’t scrape together funds to be able to pay their tuition in time for exams.

The sad truth is, many Filipino students discover at some point in their college career that they are no longer able to afford tuition. That being said, they either end up transferring to a sub-par institution or drop out of college altogether. I think the youth should not be denied access to a college education simply because of financial constraints. The government should be able to invest more in student loan programs and full scholarships, which in turn give qualified recipients a clear shot at earning their degrees. They should also keep in mind compassion for deserving students from the bottom of the nation’s economic tiers. Consider the possibility of more young people who are better trained at skills and professions because they were given the opportunity to earn a college degree. Consider the possibility of parents less burdened by the high cost of education. Think about what that could possibly do to make our society better.

playlist no. 9

image via flickr

really wishing I was chillin' like this cat right now

Finals, work, and various other responsibilities have been taking over my life these past few weeks, so I really haven't been able to post anything. However, I think I at least owe everyone a playlist this week. So here ya go guys!

I'm going to share a few tunes that have been keeping me sane through my final exam study sessions.

enjoy!

click for the --> 8tracks playlist!!!

monster || eminem ft. rihanna

tennis court || lorde

TKO || justin timberlake

change your life || iggy azalea ft t.i.

can't help || parachute

alone together || fall out boy

white walls || macklemore & ryan lewis

i wish || cher lloyd ft. t.i.

do what u want || lady gaga ft. r. kelly

flawless || beyonce ft. chimamanda ngozi adichie

FU || miley cyrus

city of angels || thirty seconds to mars

fast in my car || paramore

what now || rihanna

sweater weather || the neighbourhood