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This is going to be a lengthy post.

About two weeks before my final entry, I was back reading my posts here on this blog. Nostalgia hit me like a tidal wave. It was something I expected, but I was still unguarded. The wise men of yesterday got it right! Truly, time flies when you’re having fun.

More than a year ago, I got a text message from Ms. Marla Miniano (in the middle of a heart-stopping championship kickball game) saying I got in the Candy Council of Cool 10. It was quite a surprise. The euphoria I have felt then was something so indistinctly beautiful, and magical all at the same time! I was sitting beside my friend Bianca, and I could tell by the look on her face that I was annoying her for shaking her shoulders, while she’s in the middle of intently watching the game. But then I honestly couldn’t care less. I wanted to jump—jump as high as I can—if only the setting I was in didn’t prevent me to do so.

From then on, I was thrown into this wonderful Wonderland where friends, cute boys, amazing opportunities, self-discovery, realized dreams, and love is abundant.

The acceptance came at the pretty perfect time in my life. If I was being honest, that time I was losing confidence in myself, bored of being boring, and completely bummed that there is not much that I can do.

Eventually, I was able to overcome that. Being part of the Council taught me a lot of things: that dreams come true if you pour your heart into them; that reality is only as good as how you imagine it to be; that even though obstacles come your way, never ever ever give up, and do your best the next time; and that people are not always who they seem to be at first glance.

And thus, my thank-you speech good enough for the BAFTAs and the Oscars…

First off, thank You God for allowing this opportunity come into my life. More than anyone else in this world, only You know what is right for me. Thank You for Your gifts, blessings, and graces. And thank you for these awesome people…

Thank you Ms. Marla for being an awesome Council moderator, … (and for letting us meet Elmo and Martin)!

Thank you Ms. Mia, Ms. Koko, Ms. Mimi, Ms. Angel, and Ms. Roch for the compliments when we have good ideas.

Thank you Ms. Macy for always being patient with our blog posts. Especially with all those confusing URLs…

Thank you Cre for your ideas that no one seem to think of when we’re having a meeting! I remember, we keep saying “Oh yeah!” whenever it’s your turn. (: I hope we cross paths one day along the busy and noisy Taft.

Thank you Jaz for all the laughter! You make the most awesome jokes. Thank you for introducing the Matryoshka love. Thank you for your awesome fas-yon, food, and love tips! I hope you find your Hot Chinky-Eyed Asian Super-Game-For-Everything Prince because you deserve him!

Thank you Jess for being a good EIC and friend, for all the fangirl moments we had together, for saying I’m your little sister, and for always being patient with my questions.

Thank you Keisha for always smiling! Honestly, it lights up our meetings! And for asking me if I was Alekxandra during the interview, otherwise I would never have known what to do next! Be happy in Canada, we miss you!

Thank you Leslie for being an awesome friend online and in real life. For trying to watch Deathly Hallows with me (maybe we can do Part 2). For saying An Education is bagay for me because I totally enjoyed it (and it means you took notice). Must have more coffee dates soon with you! I will never forget our rainbow experience.

Thank you Mars for being my first friend ever! You are my COC BFF, my confidante, and my COC other-half. I treasure our conversations, our jokes on the MRT whilst not caring about the people who stare at us. Thank you for always being supportive. For someone so small, you have a big, genuine heart!

Thank you Vicky for being the best advice-giver ever. For being my Kirk Long Spotting Associate. You lift my spirits up with your sage words and your hyperactive reactions. Thank you for saying I’m a dork (in a nice way) because it sounded so good to my ears! Thank you for being the COC10‘s photographer extraordinaire. For always being honest, and for taking life as it is, no pretensions! And for being the best all-things-hipster resource person. I Long for the day when one of us actually marries Kirk Long (pun intended).

Girls, there are just too many things to be thankful for. But above all, I treasure every minute with you. Ten years or so from now, I will look back on this experience and will remember you—how I met seven beautiful girls on the path to greatness. Thank you for the conversations, the insights, and the love!

Thank you to my mom and dad, my siblings, and my friends for always being game in answering the surveys and the questionnaires, and for being so supportive! I would never have been able to submit all my requirements if it weren’t for your help.

And of course,

to you dear Candy Girl… I know now why our Eds love this job. Because you are an amazing girl to work for! You are simple, yet magnificently complex. You are beautiful and unique despite your flaws. You inspire us to dream more and to work harder. Thank you! Thank you for the one beautiful year!

As for me, moving on from the Council will be terribly difficult, but a part of me will always carry this experience in my heart for it gave me so much hope. This may be the end of the Council for me, but it is definitely the beginning of something bigger and better—something that I have yet to find out. Am I excited, you bet!

Remember, don’t forget to dream and believe, and to imagine and act. Don’t forget to live your life to the fullest.

Once a Candy Girl, always a Candy Girl.

Forever and Always,
Alekx xx

Posted in Reflections | 5 Comments »

A quick hello to my girlfriends out there! Only two weeks since the semestral break, but school’s already got me on my toes.

I’ve been surfing the net during my sembreak for an extensive length of time daily, and I figured that I might as well make better use of my discoveries by sharing with you my favorite videos/ video blogs on the world wide web.

1. 1.  Charlie is so cool like – Charlie McDonell, or more commonly known on YouTube as ‘charlieissocoollike’, is one of the most famous YouTubers of our generation. He is the most viewed YouTuber in the UK with an average of over 600,000 views per day. Charlie is British and a real charmer (yes, I love guys with accents)! One of my favorite videos of his is the one where he discusses the real reason why women scare him.
   
2. The Girls With Glasses Show – American Idol’s Brooke White teams up with her friend Summer Bellesa to form The Girls With Glass Show. It’s a lifestyle talk show for smart, young, independent, fresh, unique, and talented girls. Check out their super adorable theme song…
   I Am A Girl – The Girls With Glasses Theme Song from The Girls With Glasses on Vimeo.
3. Red Mask – When I watched the first part of this three-episode short, it was more of a product of curiosity, rather than interest. After all, I wasn’t the biggest Elmo and Julieann fan. But after watching the first episode, my heart just broke into a million little pieces. And then the second part came and I was absolutely delighted. But nothing could top what I felt when I saw the final episode. They are just too beautiful! I especially love the attention they put into the little details and how one thing adds up to another.
   Red Mask (all parts) from Avid Liongoren on Vimeo.

Enjoy watching, ladies!

Posted in What's In | No Comments »

As I grew older, the more I became fascinated with the power of words—whether spoken aloud, written on paper, or inside my thoughts. The immense possibilities brought about by language is beyond imagination and continues to grow every minute of every day.

Imagine a life without words, because I couldn’t. Thrilling, isn’t? How in an instant, an acrimonious “Shut up!” could crush a person, or the other way around, when a simple “I love you!” could turn the world upside down.

Although they say that actions speak louder than words, something so magical about the things that we say to other people remain — the instant impact, the direct conveyance of an idea, and the preview of what is occupying one’s head. Wasn’t it that something heard creates immediate buzz more than deeds acted out?

Words are beautiful. They touch people, all the while apprising them.

However…

Why is it that in spite of all it’s beauty and it’s power, are we so afraid to say words in real life? Why are we so afraid to tell the truth? Why is it that words, even at our own easy disposal, are still held back, left to not be said at all?

Wouldn’t it have been easier if words are out in the open? Wouldn’t it have been easier if  we say what we mean and mean what we say?

I know what it is like to fail miserably at trying to get your point straight out. I know what it is like to fear what would come next after speaking your mind. I know what it is like to have everyone against you for saying what you truly, deeply feel.

But we’ve got to know that words, as powerful as they are, may not always come back for a second chance. Every opportunity to say the truth is not a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but an especially unique and different opportunity than the last.

In the sage words of Taylor Swift:
“Words can break someone into a million pieces, but they can also put them back together… What you say might be too much for some people. Maybe it will come out all wrong and you’ll stutter and you’ll walk away embarrassed, wincing as you play it all back in your head… But I think the words you stop yourself are the ones that will haunt you the longest… I think you deserve to look back on your life without a chorus of resounding voices saying ‘I could’ve, but it’s too late now.’ There is a time for silence. There is a time waiting for your turn. But if you know how you feel, and you so clearly know what you need to say, you’ll know it. I don’t think you should wait. I think you should SPEAK NOW.”

Love,
Alekx

PS. On a lighter note, in line of Taylor Swift being mentioned on this entry, I encourage you to give her Speak Now album a listen!

Sometimes when we know that we have to say something to someone, but couldn’t find the right words to say, it may be wise to let other people say it for us. Taylor’s songs do the very thing. There’s one for someone who broke your heart, or whose heart you broke, to someone who was mean to you, to your friends, to someone you’re glad to have met, to someone you love…

I recommend: “Enchanted,” “Long Live,” “Mine,” and my personal favorite, “Back to December” (a.k.a. the one about Taylor and another Taylor). Enjoy!

Photo and quotation could be found in Taylor Swift’s Speak Now Album Digital Booklet.

Posted in Reflections, What's In | 6 Comments »

What a glorious feeling it is like to be on center stage—adored by the audience, and euphoric at being able to be appreciated for what you are capable of. Under that bright, yellow stage light, on that (literally) elevated platform, you feel that, if not entirely you, at least a part of you is above your spectators for their attention is all yours. And you deserve it, for it took a huge chunk of pride and courage for you to swallow your inhibitions, self-doubts, and insecurities.

But…

…there is something bigger. Bigger than this feeling.

For like the stars in the heaven, the light of a star onstage dies (or may otherwise flicker, hidden in obscurity, or outshone by brighter, newer stars).

One cannot stay under the limelight for a very extensive length of time. “There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl’s complexion,” or so as Audrey Hepburn says. Those who have endured it deserves a pat on the back, and two thumbs up.

But those who chose to retire (even just for the time being) should be applauded. While it is difficult to get up onstage and sing one’s heart out, it is more distressing to learn that someone knew has come along to take your spot — that you are no longer the once bright, shining star.

And it may take some getting used to: a hint of jealousy, a tingle of diffidence, and an inkling of loneliness.

But sooner or later, they will be revered once more. This time not only for their talent, but also for their modesty, for those who took the backseat without complaints.

I learned my lesson, and indeed it will take some getting used to. I was there, but I had to go, and so I learned my lesson. But I will come back for the second act. I tell you, I will. And when that day comes, I will be better. Better than you have ever seen of me.

Posted in Reflections | 2 Comments »

How’s your sembreak so far? Mine has been, well, indescribable. Even though school is over for the time being, there are still things left to be done. However, I try not to overload myself as it is vacation anyway. So as much as possible, I try to incorporate FUN to my daily agenda, thus making it a FUNGENDA! A term which I got from Sonny with A Chance, might I add.

A few things:

1. Paper Cranes. I am absolutely obsessed with making paper cranes. It all began with a dinner I’ve had with my Council mates. Jaz decided to make an origami crane out of scratch paper. We commented on how “Asian” this makes her, and how it’s really nice. Eventually, I’ve already forgotten about the occurrence, plus I’ve never
   really had the patience for origami, anyway… Until about two days ago, I browsed a (500) Days of Summer inspiration blog. If you will remember, Summer has a mobile of paper cranes at the foot of her bed. Out of curiosity, I decided to make one. It was tough following the 2-D instructions on the net, so I searched for a video and… viola! I’ve been making one ever since. Tradition says that if you make 1,000 paper cranes, you’ll get a wish, so I’m working on that project now.

   A video tutorial:
   

2. The Vampire Diaries. I’ve always thought that TVD was a bad series parody of Twilight, whose sole desire is to make more money by condoning the unbelievably immense addiction of today’s youth to vampires. How wrong was I! While there might be some truth to my words, I’ve found myself to be closely watching the storyline week after week. Although I have yet to watch Season 1 and Season 2 in their entirety, you can count on me as an added Team Damon statistic.
   photo via Tumblr
3. Stef Lang and A Fine Frenzy. I love soundtracks! Recently, I have discovered two
   new songs from two great TV shows. (a) As you all know, I love watching Degrassi,
   and all the episodes feature brilliant soundtracks every week. In fact, most of their
   episodes are named after songs. Anyway, last week’s Love Lockdown Part. II
   episode featured a song by Stef Lang entitled, “Diamonds.” I searched for it online
   and downloaded it. The violin pieces on this song are too beautiful. Coincidentally,
   I’ve found from my research that Stef Lang is half-Filipina, which means extra
   brownie points for her! (b) Another one is A Fine Frenzy’s “Ashes and Wine” which
   was featured on an ETC preview of The Vampire Diaries. This one is definitely
   sadder than the other, but I find the vocals too beautiful… and I guess I have just
   always loved listening to sad & slow love songs. You guys just have to listen to these
   two. They’re absolutely beautiful.

Posted in Etcetera, Lists | No Comments »