Word Vomit.

With classes (for graduating students, at least) ending in a week or so, I found myself swimming in free time that I didn't even know I had.

Which naturally has the ability to drive me insane.

So, to avoid being carted off into the nearest mental institution, I had to find something to do. So, I chose to write. Except, I couldn't think of anything to write about. Its seriously been too long since I felt inspired enough to actually write about something.

Usually, in cases like this, I skip the creative process and just base the plot on any of my experiences. And that was when I realized that my life has reached a whole new level of drama and complication that isn't even acceptable in fanfiction.

Imagine that.

Thus, the production of word vomit.

Besides, its hard to produce something happy when you aren't happy.

My Ideal Senatorial Candidate

Credits to: Pinoy Exchange. If you are the owner of this photo though, please let me know. 

With the elections coming up, I'm sure there are people who have their short list of candidates ready for election day, like there are some people who are still trying to sift through the political bullshit that seems to be of abundance during election season. 

And I'm sure there are people who just don't care. But we're not here to talk about those sorts of people. 

I used to be a part of the population who just didn't care. But thankfully, I am ignorant no more. But I'm not the sort of person who has a list of people to vote for either, of course not, but I do have a list of qualities that I believe a proper Senator should posses. You know, in addition to the usual: He should not steal, should be fair and just, should be sincere in serving the people and all that. 

1. He/She should be quiet. 

No, I don't mean quiet in the new kid or shy girl kind. I meant that They should be quiet in the sense that they don't crave for media attention. They do their work quietly and efficiently. 

But then again, there is a huge difference between actually doing something, but keeping quiet about it and not doing anything. 

2. He/She should be able to display something with actual sense on their political ads. 

Slogans, a picturesque forest and a waterfall background, a baby, and taglines that match your initials do not work. I'm pretty sure my block mates could think of better ideas. 

Ads, as taught to me by my various professors, are created to inform and promote. However, ads that have no sense - no sense at all - do not inform, which defeats that purpose of an ad. When I look at political ads, all I see are their faces, I am not informed of any thing at all. 

Asides from the fact na isa sa talents ng graphic team niyo ang pagpilitan ang slogans ng mga pangalan niyo. 

3. Someone who didn't make a name for himself through bringing his opponents down. 

I'm sure this is self-explanatory. Who wants a hater in Senate? 

4. Someone who doesn't use their family name to gather votes. 

What is with this country? I know that we hold our family values high up on our list of values that we live up to, but seriously, one does not simply vote for a candidate because she's so and so's daughter, or he's whoever's cousin, son, brother or husband, or worse, because a family member of his recently died. 

We vote this people because they have proven themselves worthy to hold office in our Senate. Sure, they had exemplary parents, and they are lucky for being born into that family. But we simply do not vote for them just for that reason, perhaps they picked something up from said parents, but they should be able to prove to us that they did. This could only be done by producing platforms that would actually benefit the masses. 

5. Someone who knows how to follow the law. 

Recently, on my way home one night, I came across this giant tarp which had a memo from the Mayor of Quezon City, Mayor Herbert Bautista. Unfortunately, I can't remember the exact words on the memo, but it basically said that political ads weren't allowed along Commonwealth Avenue. I remember because the minute I saw that, I literally said "Oh, thank God!" 

But then, to my surprise a few days later, I cam across several political ads, stuck to the walls, tied to posts and gates. 

Wow. Just wow. 

How can we respect a law maker that doesn't know how to follow simple orders? 

6. Someone who understands and respects the Separation of Church and State

Constitution was created by our forefathers, not to guarantee the rights of the people, but to limit the power of the state. And one of these constitutional provisions is the Separation of Church and State (Article II, Section 6.) 

The least someone could do is respect the highest law in the land, right? 

7. Someone who actually studied Law. 

When you're sick, you go to a doctor. This doctor spent half of his life in school, studying, preparing for this day. We go to doctors and not to our local Witch Doctors because we know that they know what they're talking about. They studied this. For years. 

Unfortunately, I can't always say the same for some of our candidates - or even our current Senators for that matter. 

Being a comedian, a former actor, an actor's spouse or whatever isn't good enough. How are we supposed to know that you know what you're talking about if you didn't actually study it? 

We don't. That's exactly the point. 

8. Someone who knows what the Philippines is entitled to and will not stop until we get it. 

But we don't want self-entitled jerks either, so don't cross the line. 

9. Someone who has better things to do than engaging in nonsensical matters. 

Seriously, who was the person who first proposed to declare Justin Bieber a persona non-grata? Well, I just lost all semblance of respect for you. Whoever you are. Surely there must be of use for something else in this world. You know, asides from scrolling through instagram on your phone or tablet. 

So, I pray that our candidates have more than enough sense to not to the same. 

10. Someone who knows how to listen to the people without thinking of ways of how it could be beneficial to them. 

A democracy is a government for the people, by the people, and of the people. In any part of it do I not see that it is a government for the Senate, for the congress and everyone else in office. 

For the people, ladies and gentlemen. Sometimes, our polticians - and those who aspire to be politicians - just needed to be reminded of that particular  fact. 

Bonus: If you're anything like Miriam Defensor Santiago. Then we probably would need you in our Government. 

[IMPORT] God Has Plans

I've heard people say this, over and over again.
God has plans, or God will find a way, or God willed it to be this way...

Maybe it's just me refusing to accept that someone out there, some higher power in the universe, has complete control over my life. Or maybe it's just the way I think.

I believe that God doesn't really have plans - I mean, if he did, why would he give us the right to choose? It just doesn't make sense if you think about it.

I'd rather prefer, God made it this way.

Whatever plans you may have that succeeded  it wasn't because of God's predetermined plans, but because he simply helped you get there.

God has plans - to me, it's just a fancy way of saying "Bahala na si Batman." 

Take charge of your own life, and make your own choices.

[IMPORT] Two Kinds of Love

With Valentine's so near, its kind of impossible to not think of love, love and love. I don't think anyone could miss the sickening amount of love in the air, even if you lived under a rock.

Anyway, all this thinking of love made me think of a few things - one of them was the realization that there are two kinds of "true" love.

Confused? Don't worry, hopefully that wouldn't last long

Ok. You know how love songs, quotes and stories can never be at peace when describing how love it? Some people claim that love should feel peaceful, like you're safe and warm and comfortable in that special person's arms. While others claim that love should be playful, thrilling and exciting.

Well, I'm starting to think that they're both right.

I believe that for each person, there are two people she is destined to be with. One is the guy meant to make her feel safe, meant to make her feel like she's found a home in his embrace; and second is the guy who would never bore her, who would always keep her on her toes and give life a new meaning and excitement for her.

It just depends on the kind of person that you are and the the kind of love that you need. :)

Personally, I'm  more of the "safe in his arms" kind of girl. Since I'm a bit of an adrenaline junkie, a love like that seems like heaven to me.

[IMPORT] B and S

No. This isn't a blog post about BS. So don't bother. :))

These past few days, I've been absolutely dedicated to finishing Gossip Girl. Every time I click on a new episode, I would say "After this episode, I'm done. I'm going to work on my paper." that is, until I've realized I've finished an entire season without so much as typing down a single word for our Media Law finals paper.

But this isn't about my epic procrastination skills either. :)) Besides, we already know I'm awesome at that.

For an assignment that I did for my BroadJourn class, I identified Gossip Girl as a show that girls could relate to, but at that time I didn't really believe it. At that time I only watched sporadically and an episode couldn't really make me relate to any of the characters. But, none the less, I was a fan.

Another unrelated - but also slightly related story - is how a very close friend of mine calls me S. As in Serena's nickname. It all started when I was in first year. i had lost my pin that morning and I didn't have time to look for a new one, so I had to borrow a pin that belonged to my mom to hold my lamda up. On the way home, some guy sitting across from me asked if my name started with the letter S because that was what my pin was - being the paranoid freak that I am told him that it did, since I didn't really want to tell him my real name, I told him my name was Serena. It had become Andrea's moniker for me ever since.

But then, she also told me that aside from that very weird incident, I did sort of remind her of Serena sometimes. She told me that in my own way, I was also beautiful but naive, innocent and yet damned, uncontrollable but also wise (in my own way). And often times, when she felt less gracious, she also compared the fact that I had dated a number of guys to the guys that Serena was constantly seeing on the show.

Sometimes, I do believe her. Not because of the guys that I date, or because I sincerely believe that I'm beautiful but damned. Its because like Serena, I don't think I have ever found the path that I wanted to walk on, I've always felt like I was so unfortunate and yet things are constantly handed to me on a silver platter, I've never had to make a single choice in my life - everything was chosen for me, I'm self absorbed, and wild and crazy.

But there are also days when I feel the need to reassess this belief, I don't want the reputation, the parties, the boys, and the silver platter that comes with being Serena. I want the drama, the work and the tears that comes with being Blair Waldorf. I want to be a powerful woman, not a friendly one. I want my Chuck Bass and not the Dan Humphreys or Nate Archibalds. I want that great love, even if it may not be the right love.

Everyone sees me as Serena Van Der Woodsen; but when I look at the mirror everyday, all I can ever think about is how badly I want to be Blair Waldorf.

Ohai Blogger!

Hi!

With Posterous shutting down in a few months, I thought it was about time I switched blog platforms. I've been hearing a lot of good things about this site (and it doesn't hurt that my favorite fashion bloggers are here too.) and I'm just really looking forward to figuring this thing out.

So here's to more blogging moments!

xoxo
Ella

P.S. I might be importing my old posts from my Posterous and Tumblr one of these days, so watch out for those ;)