just one

September 30, 2009

There are so many things I want to be; there are so many things I just couldn’t be.

Poet. Storyteller. There is just something beautiful in words that rhyme and something fantastic in the macabre themes of Poe. The subtleties are mysterious and sublime. I tried writing a story once; after it was done, there was only discontent in what seemed to be an all too familiar soap opera plot. It was disappointing really, sacrificing a night of sleep for some piece of paper that neither has value nor form.

I have accepted since then that I am not made for it, and I just couldn’t be it. At least I can make good letters, and at least I can appreciate a good story when I read one. From time to time, I can compose a nice essay, but that’s just about it. Even when I become too old and wasting time looking for the best wrinkle creams and their promise of eternal youth, I know I couldn’t compose one immortal poem.

At times though, like this one, I wish I could make even just one.

After Typhoon Ondoy; donations and relief goods

I am yet to tell you our own personal tragedy. I could not write on it yet. For now, I’d like to write about anything else, maybe about the national tragedy that was Ondoy, or maybe the silver lining after the storm, if we look quite hard to find it.

There was a point that news on TV was too much, death and destruction abound. As I rode the bus to the province, I have seen the vestiges of the typhoon, and I am pretty sure the roads I was passing were the least affected. Sure there are industrial products destroyed, from Metro Manila even up to Bulacan, but the houses are still intact and the children are all safe. The tragedy to many is unspeakable.

Meanwhile, there are many people who have taken the initiative to help others. The giant networks have been accepting donations and distributing relief goods to badly damaged areas. Even my school had been asking the names and addresses of students who were affected. Everybody is doing their part to help the nation rise above this tragedy.

1. The list of banks where donations can be sent can be found in this SITE.

2. Donations can also be sent through credit card or PayPal (click on the sites).

• ABS-CBN Foundation
• Ayala Foundation
• GMA Kapuso Foundation
• Philippine Aid
• Philippine National Red Cross
• Unicef

3. SMS Donations

• PNRC - type “RED <amount> <Globe/Smart>” (eg. “RED 100 4483″) send to 4483 for Smart and 2899 for Globe.
• Txt Power - SmartMoney 5577514418667103; GCash 09179751092.

Though now, there are still depressing news about the remnants of storm, I can’t help but feel relief that not only organizations but also individuals have taken the initiatives to contribute. We can start with our friends and families who were stricken by the flood and, if we still can, there are still so many families waiting for us.

too early for stress

Warning: ranting post.

Recently, I’ve met so many relatives, and all of them already knew I am studying law. It was only in my first semester in law school, and everybody was already expecting me to be a lawyer. I haven’t finished the first semester yet! Of course, I, more than most of them, want to be one, and there is no doubt in my mind that I would try the best I could to be one. But the expectations are overwhelming. This is precisely the reason I do not want to tell people that I am studying again, but I couldn’t just ask my parents not to tell anyone. There are plenty of possibilities that I cannot finish on time, or finish law school, or pass the bar. I could have a change of plans, or I could not juggle work and school. I could live abroad, or study something else, or start a family. The point is I do not want people expecting, as if the only reason I would not finish is lack of intelligence or irresponsibility. Argh!

More than that, I do not like it when everybody seemed to have a say on what I would do when I become a lawyer. When asked, I always say, “I hope I can work on human rights,” and then people would ALWAYS express their disagreement and suggest some other lawyer work (I can compile them all in micro sd!). The truth is I haven’t decided yet (though I am sure I want to help those in need); for goodness’ sake, I’m still on my first semester!