Ah-mayy-ziing Canada: Year End 2011

Gearing up for the year 2012, I have returned for my year-end blog posts. It has been a tiring year--I just got my test scores for PSAT and ACT and they were very, very horrible. On another note, I had a fast-paced, productive, good year. In fact, in ending the year, Canada is where I had least idea of a place I’d be.

It was the city of Scarborough, in the greater Toronto area, where my family and I have spent our Christmas weekend. Waking up at 4:30 like every time we had to travel a great distance, I also had the great opportunity of sleeping in the deepest way I ever could in a car. It was uncomfortable, rubbing my derrière on the leather seat, leaning my head like I am being choked. But uncomfortable-ness-es aside, on the way, I have noticed probably Canada's most obvious and greatest impression: hospitality. They are very generous, especially in giving way to drivers who seems to be hurrying, and everybody seems to know where everybody is going. It’s the best kind of hospitality you can’t probably get in the US, where the person behind you honks with impatience. And Canadians would probably even gladly overtake a slow Chinese driver with an appreciatory gesture.

My experiences in Toronto, Canada were not as great as New York. In fact it was more fun than my experiences in NY. Downtown Toronto had these high-rise buildings, which, by the way, I’ve learned, are not open on Christmas, and also construction everywhere. The most apparent difference between New York and Toronto is the latter's suburbanized feel and wide roads. Unlike New York, to which it has been compared often, the New York North is very generous to space. Right in front of the former city hall, an ice skating funk is widely open to anybody (who has ice skates, of course). I myself had the pleasure of having this experience. I fell down only once, after four rounds of continuous resistance to falls and slips and attempts of skating like a Kristi Yamaguchi or something. On the other side (or wherever it is, I have not gone in there) is Toronto's Times Square. I have not stepped in the place, but passed by it in the evening as we went to a relative's house.  It seemed lively, but less than Times Square. Rather, it looked peaceful, less crowded than NY Times Square, and just elegant. It still has those wide screens, like the ones in NY.

The day before, we went to Canada's side of Niagara Falls. It was very elegant. You could see a double rainbow just in front of you (the ends, however, were way too outreaching). There were some big stores, a casino, an amusement park, and some other things that you wouldn't find in the American side. I know; it’s unfair, but in the end, there are two sides of everything.

This post wouldn't probably be complete without a list of my Christmas presents. To be honest, I did not really have any actual wish for Christmas. To not want anything that I don't have, though, is not my specialty, so I will not go to that side. One thing I remember from this year's sermons in church is to 'freely give, freely receive.' although I don't know how I have done that, I know that I have given the best I’ve had (for now) and that I have received just what I ought to have.

This has also been a year of joie de vivre for me. My family and I got our permanent residence cards in February (which means we have to wait five years to be permanent residents of this country); I got an iPhone from my aunt, as a part of her Christmas gift for me; I had a more-than-amazing time in Canada; and next year we may go to the Philippines! (Speaking of Philippines, I offer all my condolences to all fellow Filipinos who lost their loved ones in the recent typhoon Washi.)

And this post will not be complete also without my new year's resolutions. I will limit my list to only three bullets this time because I may forget them.

FIRST BULLET: more sleep, more exercise. I have not really had a consistent sleeping time. Sometimes, i sleep as far as twelve, and recently, especially on the holidays, I have slept as far as until four in the morning (like, right now). I also want to begin my walks and runs again. It’s not very bad for me, and i am not shy to do it. I just don't make myself time for doing them.

SECOND BULLET: plan ahead. I have become lazy nowadays, as you may have noticed in the lack of blog posts (which are also in part of writer’s block). I also have a problem called procrastinating--my newest nemesis.

And, lastly, THIRD BULLET: dress more “sharply.” This is one of Ben Franklin's virtues and I realize I have not been really good with how I clothe myself. Sometimes, my dress is just wildly inapt for a certain occasion. I am learning, though, and I will do my best to lure away the vanity and insecurities that may interfere with all possible circumstances.

That's all. Have a great 2012!

Freestyle French

Il y a une fois quand vous voulez vous touer actuallement . Mais vous realisez c'est juste impossible. C'est impossible, n'est-ce pas ? Alors vous regardez longuement, le plus probable, au plafond de ta chambre.  Mais malchance viens. Vous essayez de crier mais il y a de fruite au plafonde et il pleut en dehors. Parce que tu est très fatigué à descendre les escaliers, vous laissez le pluie te pleut.  Je sais, je sais. C'est impossible. Vous pourrais vous touer maintenant.

Debunking the Myths: What you could tell about me from my recent Facebook posts

#1 - I am cynical about my school's history. This is not true. Just because I criticized an article for being the worst I've ever read doesn't mean I read it. I actually didn't and that's my fault. It's just very long, and it has all these ridiculous content that I think are really stupid and just ridiculous. It negates someone's personality.

#2 - MJ Siegler is great. I don't know. Although his post about Steve Jobs' passing was quite a post, I am not really accustomed to his articles. But you can also see I'm a tech person. Which is true.

#3 - It's true that I do recognize A- as a low mark, but it is not F for me. But yes, I believe that A- is not good. Oh, you can also tell that I was watching Glee. I'm not very Gleeky but, I watch it. I don't know why I am still watching it.

#4 - I'm creative. Not much. And this post probably doesn't really mean I'm creative. But I like writing. That is a form of creativity, right? 

#5 - Yeah, sometimes I am very playful and just post ridiculous things worthless, but curious enough.

I have a twin.

I have a twin.

Yes, that’s my super-duper-biggest secret.  And his name is Joshua.

This photo in the right was taken about when we were 4 or 5, I forgot when. But as you can see, there are a lot of striking differences. That’s me in the left. I was fat and had pale skin; he was really thin and tan. I liked to wear really casual clothes, while he was “swaggy.” His hair was almost emo-like while mine was just plain straight—no modifiers or anything. You might not know this but my teeth developed more slowly than his. Also, he was very outgoing—he had a lot of friends when he was really young (he still has a lot of them); I was very tranquil, reserved, laid-back, and friendless. I was very narcissistic that the only photos of me were photos with ONLY me. My twin brother was fonder of our grandparents than I was. I was and am still smarter than him, though.

We were born on June 22, 1995, and I was 6 minutes earlier than he was. I wish I was born after him. But at least I always get to be the boss of him. We’re great brothers. We hate each other; but we consider each other best friends and best brothers. It’s fun having a brother—twin brothers, for the win! Oh, by the way, here we are now:

At age 16, Joshua and I are still the persons we were at 4 or 5. He’s still very stylish and formal (my only complaint is his sandals). I am still very casual and simplistic. There’s not much difference. We’re still living in the same bedroom.

lkfaj;dlfjaklfds;kj;laksjdf;lasj;ls

fsdlkaj;lkaj

sorry that's Joshua.

Irony and What-not

It was ironic that two nights ago (or the last time I posted something) that I was saying that in a stream of consciousness blog it doesn't have to be separated into paragraphs. Well, it just happened that yesterday, I read about clarity and understanding, which is essential especially if you're discovering yourself. We are reading Socrates for philosophy, btw. And I was just learning about Socratic Irony. I don't understand it--does sarcasm count, because these are some of the examples: a professor commenting on a bad paper: "Beautiful job. You've done better" and an aerophobic person who died in a plane crash saying "Isn't this nice?" which are his last words. Those are sarcasm, aren't they?

Also, I totally forgot to post some stream-of-consciousness blog posts last night, only realizing when I am already ready to sleep. I am still going to post this here as an update--meaning no SOC blog post tonight, and I will also post this in my other blog.

A Stream of Consciousness Blog

Two days ago, I did a stream of consciousness post, and I had an idea last night to put a blog of these posts--I am not promising any schedule of posts. And I will not expect you to read every post-- I mean, who does? It's just a blog/journal about my thoughts. I might like to come later or something like that. How it works though is I will write a blog post for a limited amount of time of 10 minutes. If I choose to edit it I will, but most of the time I will not (because it's supposed to be like that); the posts would not seem like a stream of consciousness post if I edited them. So, there you go. Explore: lestreamofconsciousness.tumblr.com! Enjoy (or not).

Stream of Consciousness

Hi. I was just listening to "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter. I clicked on a video of it because it was feature in a video of a friend. I have had actually bad days. And I've been having the most bad days so far in school. My grades are not that bad as last two years' but I feel kind of different--I feel that everyday is just a bad day; I feel I need to do more. I feel. I don't know what I even feel, to be honest. And I try, I do try. This afternoon we were watching a film about quantum physics in philosophy class, pertaining to Democritus' atomistic theory.I kinda feel that it was  a mistake taking that class because my goal of taking that class is to freely explore and express myself in a way that will make me different and encourage me to be different. I feel that I'm really a Cancer now, although I don't believe much in horoscopes yet I know a lot about them, because I feel--I don't think. In my journal entries, I often use "feel" instead of "think". I think it's because the former is used more. I believe that journal entries are for feelings but it's also for ideas--that's why there's an "I think" phrase. Anyway, I felt more sunny today, no pun intended with the really hot day. But I feel relaxed and refreshed during the whole day. The only thing that worried me was my incomplete homework. I chose to not do my philosophy homework supposedly due today because I planned to do it today, but I couldn't and my homework is reflections, meaning long answers, one page or some more. I did work with my school newspaper instead since it's more urgent and important. I could do my homework for two percent grade below--so 100 to 80. By the way, I excelled in doing my homework for philosophy on the first assignment. (I am not even going to correct my grammar here). I put analysis, in-depth answers, and current examples. They were very long answers passing 5 pages. Anyway, I feel accomplished. I feel really accomplished at that time. In that same move we watched this afternoon, the whole emotional routine reminded me of some thing I actually learned in the past--the way you think is affected by your routines. If your depressed, for example, if you succumb to the depression, then you're just going to be depressed longer. You must go for new things. That's one of the messages of the story. But the main idea was that reality consists of things that we can't see and our mind reacts the way it lets us do it. The narrator constantly thought about her past and it was really bad how it affected her. When she was asked to go to a wedding, she was reminded of her wedding, her divorce, her husband cheating on her. Finally someone sees her and makes connection with her and they both do the things a couple use to do at receptions--get drunk. The next day, the narrator finds herself breaking down, hating herself to a degree that the peptides in her mind were actually rearranging themselves and letting her create a new self. One creates his or her own reality is also a  message of the film. Anyway, this is a stream of consciousness and this is actually my journal for tonight. My family is here now from a Labor Day feast just near our house. So I guess I'm going out now. Good night! And good luck reading this because you really don't want to. But read anyway.

What I would like to do write now instead of blogging

As a blogger and you my audience, I feel I have an obligation to write for you and not leave you just hanging and waiting around.

I have not written for awhile, here and as well as in my journal. But I am actually writing. I have a News Production class this year, which produces our school newspaper, and my article is now published on the school website. It is a lot of responsibility to maintain writing when you are already writing.  (I call research part of the writing).

Anyway, as I said I feel really obliged to write right now. But I didn't really like to write but I am going to, nevertheless.

The days have really gone fast. I don't even remember what I did last Monday. Here's what I would like to do right now:

1. take a shower
2. eat breakfast
3. do my homework (algebra, philosophy, chemistry!)
4. edit articles
5. read Naked Economics
6. later, sleep well

So, that's what I'd like to do write now. Let me go take my shower.

Tissue paper

While there are things that should never be revealed publicly, there should also be some things that people might have to know to know someone more. Personally, it is true.

Tonight, I have a sleepover with the BLD youth. One of the features of the bondings and reunions are games. One of those games we just played, and the first one, was involved with tissue paper. In each square of tissue paper we get, we reveal something of ourselves. Here's mine:

• I do a lot of computer work, but I am not really passionate about them.
• I like to write.
• I have a 3.63 GPA so far--yeah, not that smart.
• I am a conservative democratic. (word arrangement is weird, I know).
• My favorite subject in school is Social Studies/ History.
• I would like to live in big cities, like New York.
• I like singing. (I changed it though to something I forgot already).

And most revealing of all: 

• Sometimes, I wish I had a brother.

 It was hard to present it at first, but revealing it was kind of fun.

What's your revelation?

Someday, I will travel the world

I have a secret: I want to travel the world, live in each country, experience different cultures, learn languages, and eat indigenous foods. If I was granted one wish by some genie, I would just wish that. It does sound like having a million dollars, but it is only once in a lifetime that you can really travel the world.

First August Weekend

I am a bad decision-maker.  I have encountered a lot of situations wherein I made bad decisions and had second thoughts -- including in tests and deciding to go somewhere. This weekend I realized that one of the things one must do "to have a life" is to take advantage of the opportunities that's in front of him (or her).

On Saturday, I attended a picnic, where I met some of my friend again after months. It was a refreshing moment, and thankfully, it was not very hot. I went, but at first feeling terrified and regretful of the decision (I planned to go, but I only confirmed it when I woke up that day). It's a terrible feeling to have, especially if you have known these people yet you couldn't manage to make a conversation with them. But I got warmed up a little and started to have fun.

Yesterday was a little different: my dilemma was whether to go with my family to Indianapolis to pick up my sister, who was staying with an aunt who apparently she has gotten fond of. To be honest, I don't really like traveling with my family; I'd rather be alone. However I feel shy to go to places like in the mall or store, etc. But I haven't been really outside for awhile, so I guessed this weekend was the best time to have a break from home. We only visited Children's Museum and my aunt's apartment, and ate at Denny's and at a Chinese restaurant. That took the whole day, but it was worth it.

One of the great benefits of this weekend was the minimal usage of technology, which was great for me. Self-control, Josh, I would say whenever I have been online for awhile, but I couldn't control myself--something I have to improve. I also didn't feel like blogging all of these; I feel really lazy, and I don't know what to say. I still feel obligated to do so, though.

That's all for now.

Cheers and enjoy your life,
Josh

P.S. Please follow on Twitter, "chat" with me if you know French because I will be speaking French all week and I need someone to talk. (See sidebar)

8.5.11 - TGIF

Personally, TGIF. At least I Thanked God It was Friday. I did not post something this Friday because I did not really have anything in mind to post. I am just glad it was Friday. I woke up at one in the afternoon, and it was okay because there was nothing to do. Just sitting on my chair, drinking tea, watching Annoying Orange and last Thursday night's Wilfred and Futurama episodes, and eat. There is something that I have been thinking, though, that could get me out of this boring dilemma, something that will just clench my brain and get on my nerves, something that will be phenomenal, probably. It's just an idea, though, and I am still planning. I actually feel ashamed of not doing this blog before the end of the day while promising to do so. It's kind of complicated, something that was born with me, I hope not. On the other hand, I am excited and terrified for today. Today, I am excited because I am going to a picnic with my fellow Filipino friends. At the same time I am terrified because (1) I am not good at communication skills, therefore (2) there might be an long awkward pause when I will be asked about my summer, and (3) I have got nothing to talk about! I have been in this situation a few times, and I am no good at it. I never learn from my mistakes; I just smile at them.

8.4.11: Annoyingly Bored

My summer vacation has been okay, I guess. It's great to see the sun after long months, to stay at home everyday except on Sundays, and to do anything I want. And it's pretty awesome, too, that I am blogging again. Actually, I am going to start blogging everyday, starting today; I will try my best to do that.

By the way, I deleted the SWTS posts because the pictures are already broken. I don't know why it did that, but the pictures are actually from my Google documents. [Yup, it was pre-made].

Yesterday, I launched a blog called "To Know to be Known," which contains news, reviews, life tips, etc. Check it out. I will be posting only when there is something worthwhile that should be known.

What I have been doing all summer, actually, is staying at home, watching Youtube videos (yay for Comic Con and Vidcon, where everybody who doesn't have life go!), eat, and sleep. That's it, something I know most teens like me do. 

Notes to self:

1. Summer is not always fun like what you watch on TV or see on websites.
2. Summer is about being lazy
3. You still have to do some work--or find a job, otherwise.
4. You should not go to websites that especially sell clothes. They post pictures to make you think that "hmmmm... I should do this, go to the beach with my friends and have some drinks" but realize that you don't really have friends and that  they're doing their own things, which brings me to my next point:
5. All of your friends, if you have one, are probably doing the same as what you are doing right now.
6. And: you can still hang out with your friends, probably just doing a collective thing of what you are doing right now. It's useless.

After a while, you will want to go back to school, have homework, "meet new friends," and "learn some things."

And, yes, I am waiting, too.

Dammit I'm Mad

by Demetri Martin

Dammit I'm mad.

Evil is a deed as I live.

God, am I reviled? I rise, my bed on a sun, I melt.

To be not one man emanating is sad. I piss.

Alas, it is so late. Who stops to help?

Man, it is hot. I'm in it. I tell.

I am not a devil. I level "Mad Dog".

Ah, say burning is, as a deified gulp,

In my halo of a mired rum tin.

I erase many men. Oh, to be man, a sin.

Is evil in a clam? In a trap?

No. It is open. On it I was stuck.

Rats peed on hope. Elsewhere dips a web.

Be still if I fill its ebb.

Ew, a spider… eh?

We sleep. Oh no!

Deep, stark cuts saw it in one position.

Part animal, can I live? Sin is a name.

Both, one… my names are in it.

Murder? I'm a fool.

A hymn I plug, deified as a sign in ruby ash,

A Goddam level I lived at.

On mail let it in. I'm it.

Oh, sit in ample hot spots. Oh wet!

A loss it is alas (sip). I'd assign it a name.

Name not one bottle minus an ode by me:

"Sir, I deliver. I'm a dog"

Evil is a deed as I live.

Dammit I'm mad.

ProJosh: The Project Josh

So you might be wondering about what my New Year’s resolutions will be this next year. I have them, actually; however, they’re not the same kind of resolutions, as everyone has. Moreover, this new year, I am starting a year-long project called “Pro-Josh” (which is in short for “The Project Josh”).

Pro-Josh sums up to this only one resolution: accomplish and do the best I can this year. This project will consist of different goals per month, and they are all based on my ability — if I can do them in a given time. Included in these goals are some of the “Life’s Little Instructions,” as well as my “What to do before I die” list (which will not be published until I’m old enough to do so :)

To start this “Pro-Josh” I will be launching a website on Tumblr to update you, and will soon begin with the January’s goals. Watch for it!

Ended. Please watch out soon for a come back or something.