COMPLAINING ABOUT COLLEGE

I do not really like college. I am about four months in college right now. But I still do not like it. A lot of things are bothering me. And I feel a bit lonely in college. I think I regret taking my course. I still do not like my course, how much I tried.

My course in college is BS Accountancy, and the university has pretty high standards here. I have to get at least a 2.4 grade to pass. It seems easy, but it's not. I have to admit it; my performance in school is not really excellent. Maybe I am just too lazy… since I am like this in high school. I never developed good studying habits. I guess I am anxious if I will be able to get a 2.4 every semester and be able to keep on studying Accounting.

In our first day, our Accounting teacher made us write an essay why we took up Accountancy. My essay goes like this: "Food, Entertainment, Music and Literature are the things that I love and interest me most in life. But I believe I will be able to have something to do with these things in my life, even though I will not take a course that deals with them, so I decided to take another course - that is not related to them. I decided to take Accountancy because of four reasons. First, it is the hardest course to pass for in this university. I want to try how far can I go. Second, I am very weak with numbers, and I want to improve. Third, I want to continue the legacy of my mother, who finished Business Administration Major in Accounting in this university, but did not get the chance to take the board exam. And Fourth, it is the same course that my girlfriend took…"

Another thing that bothers me… after we entered college, my girlfriend and I seem to become distant. One major thing why I did not choose to go to UP Los Banos to take up Com Sci (Yes, I passed the UPCAT) is because I do not want to be far from her. But now, there seems to be a gap. There seems to be a sudden coldness. She seems to avoid me. We never talk. The only time we were able to talk in college was on my birthday and one week before the intrams. Texting is rarer than talking. Maybe it's all this studying… but I believe there is something more. If anyone ask her if we are still on, she replies "Ewan (I do not know)." I don't understand. I tried to ask her why, but her reply was "ewan", too. I can let her go if that is what is the best for her and it will make her happy. Even if it means I ending up brokenhearted - so be it. I hope she answer my questions. This matter really needs to be resolve. It's kind of lonely, you know…
I really love her… (Hell, I hate when it when I am sentimental)

Damn Poverty! It really is bad. That's another thing. Poverty is starting to sting. I only get enough for transportation. I used to have - at least - enough. I still et by… but I sure do hope my allowance increase. But I guess I should be thankful for the little amount I get. At least, it is still a blessing.

My health - as usual - is worrying me also. It may be psychological, but I think I am weaker now than back in high school. At least, I do not have any bad illness - at least something that I know of.

Anyway, I should always remember my motto "Hakuna Matata". God will take care of my worries. I trust the Big Guy. He'll get me through.

But I cannot help wondering why I am in college. College depresses me. I am not enjoying college like I did with high school. Then I remembered another thought - a thing that happened years ago.

My school back in Grade I was once located nearly at the same location where the college I am studying now stands… so I easily recollected that incident eleven years ago. The building of the college was under construction back then. When I was in Grade I, my mother fetched me every afternoon after school. My school was from morning to afternoon. In the morning that day, my teacher suddenly announced that classes are suspended that afternoon. Well, the morning class ended and one by one, my classmates - then my teacher - left. I was left alone. Then it struck me; my mother has no way of learning the announcement that classes for the afternoon are suspended. Then I cried since I do not know what to do. It was lunchtime and I cannot bring myself to stop crying and eat my lunch. I was famished. Then suddenly, I caught the attention of two beautiful college girls (they were beautiful for me since they have beautiful hearts). They asked what was wrong, and I told them about it. They calmed me down and offered to take me to my mother. I stopped crying and agreed. I told them how to get to my mother's place of work; I have no way of going there alone since I still cannot go alone back then and besides, I have no money (never had allowance until Grade III). Well, they took me there and my mother was surprised to see me as the girls explained what happened. My mother thanked them and treated them some lunch. They politely refused since they explained that they have a test in the afternoon, and judging from the distance from the school and my mother's workplace, they are already late. They quickly said their good-byes then left.

As I think of them now, maybe they were Accountancy students and were at risk of missing a test..., which is terrible for an Accounting student. Anyway, Accountancy students or not, I am thankful for them. They sacrificed their lunch… and maybe their grades because of missing or being late for that test. That was a big thing for me, and I carried that memory all through out elementary and high school. I will never see those girls again and even if I do, I will never remember their faces. I can never give them back a favor. Each time I think of that moment, any cynicism in me melts.

And as I remembered that, my dislike for college lessens. Yes, I still don't like college… but I think it is going to be okay. Maybe, good things will come my way in college. I might lose my girlfriend or fail in Accountancy or any other bad things may happen… but I will not allow that to stop me. Now I am in college. Maybe the only thing I can repay back those two girls who helped me years ago, is to try to do to others what they did to me. Maybe I have to start thinking less about myself 9and my anxieties) and more for others… like what those college students did for me years ago.

That memory, I will keep for a lifetime… and I hope I can give someone the same kind of memory I got. Maybe that's why I am in college…

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THOUGHTS ON MUSIC / PLAYING MUSIC

Most people nowadays like music, though interests on what type vary. Yes, one way or another, we are influenced by music. It has been very popular since ancient times. As an art, a tool and as source of entertainment, music has played those parts well.

As the time passes, music evolves. And new genres of music was born as the times goes by. And ordinary people with no formal music training can enjoy playing and making music nowadays.

Popular music changes, from classical, to folk, to jazz, to rock n' roll, to pop, to R & B… It has continuously, and still, changing.

Though changes are not always for the good. As David Scruton said in his article "The Song Is Ended - analysis of pop music today" published in National Review in September, 2002, "Rhythm machines, synthesizers, and mixing have changed the sound, filling up the holes in the music and making a continues background carpet in place of the measured stepping stones of the twelve-bar blues. But the raw materials are the same. Every now and then someone hits on a melody and finds a group of teenagers to mouth it. Subtract the work of the engineers, however, and the tune will turn out to have been done to death in several previous incarnations."

Sadly, I agree with this guy. Computers has been replacing musicians. And hip-hops are guilty of this. I am not saying that the lowest type of music is the rap and hip-hop R & B and other made by the hip-hop kind. I still appreciate some of their music. But music made by computers are cold. Those who use only computers to create music for the vocals are missing the point in music. Sadly, still, this kind of music is the most popular type nowadays. And music is beginning to be nothing but a technical wizardry. I appreciate more the kind music that are made by true musicians; from bands.

But I have complains, too, in punk rock bands. Again, I am not saying that I don't like punk rock and think of it as the lowest kind of music. But sometimes, punk music has been rather monotonous, simple and noisy. All you need to do this kind of music is a heavily distorted guitar and a fast drumming and rolling drummer, and you have yourself punk rock. However, punk rock has some merits, I have to admit.

To the other type of music, well, I am glad that this kind of music still exists. To other kind of rock, like slow rock, rock n' roll, pop rock and alternative, I have not much complains. Jazz and Blues are still among the highest kind. Pop, well, pop nowadays are mixing with rock or hip-hop, and I prefer the pop that affiliates with rock. Classical maybe old-fashioned but they are still great. Country or folk is fine. Reggae is popular again nowadays, but no complains from me. Well, there are other kinds, more, and I appreciate them, too.


It's still up to you what you think about music, and what kind you prefer. But we should not stop with good music, we should also look into the lyrics. It is positive or negative. Wholesome or evil. Constructive or destructive. And it can sometimes be dangerous. Music is a great gift from God. Music is very influential. Very powerful. And as Spider-Man says, "With great power comes great responsibility."

* * *

I love music. Yes, I listen to most kind of music. Hearing music makes me feel good. Especially, if I am the one who makes the music.

I am blessed to play some musical instruments, and I am thankful for that. But what I really love to play most is the guitar. Acoustic and electric. I love both kinds. And playing with a band or playing alone does not matter to me. I just love all about guitars.

I remembered how I decided to play the guitar. It was years ago, and I was on my late elementary. I prayed a prayer to God. I asked God that if He gave me the talent to play the guitar, I promised to use it for His glory.

Well, after I self-taught myself to play the guitar (after many blisters), I finally found myself one day that I can play the guitar. But I did not stop there, I continue to self-study and practice, and as time goes by, I found myself improving and improving.

Well, I kept my promise to God. I dedicated the talent to Him. For Him first, before personal interest. Though, I also played outside church activities, like in some gigs and in some school activities, but my priorities are on God first. I'm lucky that my band mates also have the same perceptions as mine. Yes, we sometimes play outside church activities, but we put God first.

I'm thankful for my musical gift. For the chances given unto me. And the exposures, yes, I am having more fun playing for the glory of God than if I used it for playing for my personal glory. And I'm thankful for the rewards. Any personal gain or glory I got from my talent, I thank Him.

In the back of my acoustic guitar, I put a sticker to remind me of my promise. It says, "Jesus First. Time, Talent, Treasure" (Matt. 6:33). It reminds me of my promise years ago.

I love playing musical instruments, especially the guitar. And what I love to do, I want to share and dedicate to those I love. And I'm telling you, that any hobbies, interest, works, etc. that we love to do, we should do it for those we love - not for our personal interests. And I hope that at the top of the list of those we love, is the One who loves us so much.

"Jesus First. Time, Talent, Treasure"

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"NO SUCH THING AS NONSENSE..."

I once reacted to something (which I forget what it is) and said, "That's a lot of nonsense." A friend gave her opinion; "There is no such thing as nonsense, only close to nonsense." My puzzled look may have prompted another friend to explain to me that, "A person may find a thing nonsense, but to another person it may be full of sense." I weakly smiled and nodded my reply to show comprehension... it made sense.
You see, we are all unique. We all have different opinions and different things that we value. Music to one, may be noise to another. A treasure of one may be trash to another. An art for one may be eyesore for the other. A touching story to one may be full of crap for another. And ever heard the statement, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder"?
So, I guess we all have to respect each other since we find things about us varying. Philosophies, religion, politics, values, etc. of people vary. Respect is needed for harmony. I guess, this is one reason why there is a lot of conflict in this world… because they do not respect that one thing they find a lot of nonsense made a lot of sense to other people.
I do not know about you… You find it full of "nonsense" but for me, what was said made sense…

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HAKUNA MATATA

Hakuna Matata is my motto. And reading this statement, "Hakuna Matata is not fit for us humans…" in the last page of our high school yearbook made me a little irritated (I will hunt down the one who wrote that in the yearbook). But my irritation grew to amusement (I will not hunt down the writer after all). It seems Hakuna Matata is not fully comprehended; its meaning not really understood.
Our life is short, but beautiful. And we need to get the best out of it. God wants us to enjoy the Life. And God knows what is the best in for us. That's why we must surrender all to Him - our lives, our plans, our anxieties, worries, problems, fears - all of it. He promised to take care of those things. He promised to take care of us and never forsake us. "If God is with us, who can be against us?"
I fully trust the Man Upstairs. He has never let me down. For years, the motto Hakuna Matata really worked for me. I let God take care of my worries, since I surrendered my life to Him. Yes, sometimes the problems do not really disappear but God gives me strength and comfort. "No worries…"
I truly believe that I cannot get on with life without the Man Upstairs helping me. I trust him to take care of my life, my future, and me.
Hakuna Matata… it means no worries, for the rest of your days. It is not only applicable to Timon, Pumba and Simba, but also to us humans (contradicting that writer in our yearbook). It is very fit for humans, or rather - not all humans - but to those who surrendered their lives to the Lord.

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SUMMERSLAM SORRY

Summerslam is over. WWE, again, prepared an entertaining and good pay-per-view. I was really looking forward for Summerslam. The prepared matches were great. But what I was really looking forward for was the Legend vs. Legend Killer match, Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs. Randy Orton.
I am not happy at the results - Hulk Hogan won against Orton. Orton should have won; he was a rising superstar and had a long list of legends he defeated. Hogan on the other hand is already past his prime (though he is still popular to the fans). I have complains on the match itself, I guess the match with The Rock (when will he be back?) and Hollywood Hulk Hogan back in Wrestlemania X8 was better than the Hogan-Orton match. I was expecting Orton's match to be much much better. But I guess my expectations were wrong.
Well, Summerslam has ended and that is that. I guess the only way to appease my disappointment with the Hogan-Orton match was for a rematch - with a good fight and eventually Orton winning J.
I am glad D-X won, and Umaga was taken care of by Kane. Wonderful match. The D-X is really great!!!

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Talking about my mortality (or am I a hypochondriac?)

I have been thinking of my health and mortality lately. Since I caught bronchopneumonia that turned into primary complex tuberculosis back before high school, I have never been that healthy. Sure, I got well after a year of medication but I did not get back to the one hundred percent - it is very rare I feel one hundred percent physically well. I often have headaches, easily catches colds, so weak when I have a flu… the list goes on. I grew accustomed to feeling like this that it now seems normal to feel not normal.
Before college, I decided not to eat too much junk food. It was the advice of the nurse when she took my high blood pressure (I was found to have high-blood pressure) during the medical exam.  Got to watch my health.
It feels I grew weaker every year since I caught primary complex (and I grew weaker and more prone to sickness when I had mumps late in high school). I recently did some pull-ups, I barely made three when I used to do at least seven a few years back. Now, I am a little afraid to try the push-ups. I used to do at least fifty, how much can I do now? If you ask me if I am physically fit, the answer is yes. I am physically fit (even my cardiovascular endurance is fine for someone who had primary complex), but I am not that very healthy.
I don't understand what's happening to my health… it's not really failing but it's not very good, either. Maybe you will suggest it is only psychological (suggesting that I am a hypochondriac?). Maybe… but I really can feel that I grew weaker, that I am not very healthy and am very prone to illness. I do not know the reason (maybe too much radiation from the PC). Am I slowly dying? No, not that … but, then again, according to one joke, "you begin to die after you were born", so in that sense, I am definitely "dying".
But I say that life is precious. Life maybe is hard but it is beautiful and good. As I think of my health and mortality - I realize, healthy or not, we are all "prone to die." A person with no cancer is actually as prone to death as with one with cancer, since, chances are, the healthy person with no cancer might get hit by a bus (morbid illustration but at least I was able to make my point). Mortality is not really determined by your health or statistics.  When it's your time to die, you die. That is why we all have to appreciate life while we have it. But I do believe that true Life comes from God. And even death is no match for the Life.

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Simple and Complicated

People today tend to go for the complicated. Simplicity is not a preferred thing anymore. People will go for the most complicated way, solution, idea, plan, etc. The more complicated a thing is, the better. A simple thing is not an option anymore.
We admire those with complicated designs than simple designs. Gamers prefer the complicated games than the simple. And in contests, the more complicated your routine, the better your chance of winning, Consumers are impressed by complicated descriptions of products. But do they really understand what the complicated description mean?
A musician friend of mine said that he prefers jazz, blues and classical than rock and pop since it is more challenging. Pop and rock are easy and common, he says. I have to agree, being an amateur musician myself, I also prefer the more difficult than the easy (though I like rock and pop). And other musician I know has the same idea. I guess most musicians are like that - the more challenging the music is, the better.
Is that the reason why, people prefer the complicated than the simple? The challenge? The more challenging, the better? Complicated appeals to our sense of pride in our ability and intelligence?

It's also true for intelligence and thinking. Common sense is supposed to be "common" to all people, since it is a simple and practical way of thinking. But common sense is beginning to become rare. We like to complicate things more - and instead of turning to our common senses - we chose the complicated. That's why the common sense of people are beginning so "uncommon".

Here's a story to prove my point. I remember seeing a local game show on TV. I think it was called Zesto IQ Quiz Challenge. A pair of high school students were in as a team. And Bicol University High School's contestants were easily answering the questions and had a very large lead on their opponents. I admire their quick calculations on math problems, their accurate answers in trivia and their confidence. It was a sure win. The questions were like "eating peanuts" for them.
Then came this question, "What are words identical in spelling and pronunciation but different in meaning?" It was a simple question, and being a regular elementary student back then, I know the answer to be homonyms. But the contestants of BU High, being complicated students and all, answered homophones - I think they cannot believe the question has a simple answer of homonyms, so they complicated their answer and answered homophones instead.
Another pair answered homograph. But the team with lowest points - being simple students - got the correct answer. The BU high students, intelligent and complicated at that, got the wrong answer. But their "simple" opponents got it right.
Of course, the BU high students still won the contest. But that part of the contest remained in my mind up to this time.
(In high school, I went to BU High and met the brother of one of the contestant of BU High back in that contest. We had a good laugh recollecting that incident at the quiz.)

Complicated persons forgot that simple things are the most important things in life. Complicated persons tend to make the wrong things to be the center of their lives. Career person put their careers and jobs at the center of their lives and forget their families. Ambitious persons don't care if they step on others to obtain their self-centered goals. The "high-class" of our society are becoming arrogant and discriminate those in the "lower-class". Examples goes on and on.
Some people believe that these complicated things can make them happy. Money, fame, power… complicated things that will give them a stand and distinction. So, their existence revolve around complicated things. To get more and more…
This people forget that in simple things, they can find happiness. Like hanging out with friends, laughing on jokes, feeling that somebody loves and care for you, seeing a good movie, helping others, eating a delicious meal, etc. These simple things can cause a great deal of happiness.

Our Math teacher said, "Don't take life too seriously, you won't get out of it alive anyway". Fun guy… I like our Math teacher (though I get a lot of failing grades in his tests - Math is still not my subject). He is an example of a person who does not let a complicated thing, Mathematics, complicate his life. He is intelligent, yes - but he is not complicated. Being intelligent does not mean being complicated.
In Accountancy, we are taught that we should make Accounting the "center of our being", "the purpose of our life" and "love it like it was our boyfriend or girlfriend". In other words, make the complicated Accounting the most important thing in our lives. I like our accounting teacher, too. He taught us to take accounting seriously, but not to take life too seriously. Accounting may be complicated, but a person's view on it can make it simple thing… taking it seriously but will be able to enjoy it instead of fearing it -and I hope I can do it. Our accounting teacher was able to do it - maintaining a balance between complicated and simple.
If I fail the retention policy in BS Accountancy in college because of my poor performances in Math and Accounting (though I like the teachers in this subjects), it is going to be sad but I will not allow this 'complicated' things affect me badly - may the will of God be done (But I have to say this, God's will may be simple but it is grand and great).

I am practicing how to skip rope right now. I never tried this before. I am only forced to try it in college since it is a required activity in PE. But hey, I am having fun as I learn how to skip rope. I am still not to do it perfectly. But hey, I am starting to learn its principles and techniques. Skipping rope is not only for fun, but also a way to keep in shape. I do not know if I will enjoy myself in the complicated gym and the workouts there.
Skipping rope is hard. Simple things are hard sometimes - but fun and fulfilling. Just like skipping rope. I realized that thing while practicing the skipping rope.


Life is full of complicated and simple. Sometimes we need to be complicated but we should never forget that simplicity is the basic thing. Being simple is the best most of the time than being complicated. We should never complicate things when being simple is the best. Simplicity is still an option. Happiness is found in simple things. Even God himself made himself simple. Christ came to show us that simple is good.

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