From the sheets to the pillow.

She has endured everything around her.

The distance... The time...




The SILENCE.




It is painful enough to have everything turned into an utter disaster, just when she had everything under control.

Her form on her bed... Her fragrance entangled with the sheets... Her head against her chest when asleep...

Yes... She will miss it. Definitely. But, as sappy as it may seem, or as cheesy as it may sound, good things really DO come to an end. You just have to anticipate every moment.

But, she might tell you, she did NOT anticipate it to have ended this soon.


-sF-

it's not fate.

It's not fate that's keeping us apart, it's my parents.

Of course, in my perception, parents want what's best for you. Although, I think they are so blinded about what they think is best for us (with their frustrations about to be reflected on their kids) that they don't really think we are capable of choosing on our own.

I think, in our culture, we are built and trained to be followers of our parents. Don't get me wrong, of course being obedient is utmost important in the Family heirarchy. But, what happens when it's our OWN well being and happiness we are talking about? Do we still follow everything that they want us to do? Everything being, when in doubt of your choice and decision, you follow theirs--kahit na tungkol saan pa yan. Or, will you be the family's "black sheep" just because you have taken into consideration the consequences of wanting what makes you happy, even if it means that by choosing so, it turns you into the REBEL among the family members?

In my opinion, I don't really think it is appropriate for parents to not support or listen to their kid. After all, young as they may be, or in some cases, OLD as they may be... they ARE... WE ARE able to think of what makes us happy, and, in turn, we ARE aware of whatever it is that it might have the possibility of getting us hurt.

BUT THINK ABOUT IT.

Don't you think it's hurting us more if we decided to pursue our own happiness WHILST pursuing yours? In layman's term? HIDING IT FROM YOU.

Us being hurt because without the possibility of getting that happiness (BELIEVE ME, THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE IF THE PARENTS ARE IN DOUBT OF YOUR ACTIONS, THEY WILL TRY EVERYTHING IN THEIR WILL POWER TO STOP YOU.) and you being hurt because you think that your offspring is disobeying you JUST for the sake of spiting you when in fact, they can't possibly let go because it makes them happy.

BUT...

What happens when you, as parents, do something in similarity to what your child is doing, only this time, it's worse? When lives of families are at stake--lives of YOUR FAMILY and that of OTHERS.

What do you think you're supposed to do?


















-sF-

My Enderun Essay 2: QUESTION

QUESTION: If you are to open a business of your own in either hospitality, leisure or tourism, what would it be? What would your top three priorities be to ensure a successful venture?

If I would be given a chance, I would consider making my own hotel. Since Pilipinos are famously known for their hospitality, I am confident enough to know that I can satisfy whatever it is the client is looking for in visiting a certain place—the nearest place called home.

I plan on making a certain alternative for people to call home when visiting either a familiar place or a new adventure—a, somewhat, home away from home. I would accommodate to their needs, exposing how Pilipinos get their titles of being a loving and hospitable culture.

One of the priorities in holding a business is to treat your employees civilly and with respect. This is to ensure that you get the same amount of respect you give them. It also enables you to have employees who would do their jobs properly. It is a certified way of getting good quality from your employees, at the same time, having the benefit of trust and loyalty towards the “employee-employer” relationship.

Another would be prioritizing your clients. A sure way of establishing a good beginning would be to strengthen one’s credibility by gaining the trust of her potential clients. By attaining the client’s trust, the business could slowly but surely make its way up the successful ladder. One must of course bear in mind that there are different types of clienteles. That is why, adaptation and flexibility is a skill to be mastered when entering the business world.

Being one of the top three priorities, the last one should be managing proper communication between associates and business partners. To avoid conflict, one must establish communication. That is why constant meetings and check-ups should be done in order to keep track of the progress being made or to avoid accidents or incidents in situations not expected.

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I think I would've made a GREAT business person. :|

My Enderun Essay 1: WHAT MAKES ME, ME.

WHAT MAKES ME, ME.

For days I have struggled of thinking of what I should write in this essay. It is not until a friend of mine finally suggested that I make a personal essay, not something that the people in the institution may think of as, how Pilipinos say, “bola”. When I asked her what my topic could be, she finally came up with “How you became YOU”.

I have pondered on this question a million times even before this essay was requested. “How DID I became ME?”

I may go on and on for hours of tales from when I’m born, when I made my mistakes, when I laughed and became proud. But, thinking that I might bore whoever is going to read this, I decided to make this a run-through of whatever goes on in my mind. Maybe then, we can together realize what makes me my own self.

As I write this, I’m still at a loss figuring out what words to use. After all, I need to be careful. A word may mean a million different things. I would not want them to get the wrong idea of who I really am.

And then it hit me—WRITING. Indeed, words form me. My thoughts, my feelings—they all come in words. It’s a certain passion I share with few people. I never really dreamed of being an open book for people to read. The time I discovered this “gift” was when I was unable to control my feelings, and since I had very few friends, I got a pen and paper and started writing. It was then I felt whatever they were saying that circumstances may occur when your body can’t keep up with what your mind is saying. Words eagerly came out of hiding. Feelings I never thought I felt came rushing out—anger, hate, happiness and more. My hands tumbled, my grammar, ridiculous, and my hand writing? Horrible. Barely anything can be read. But it felt good. After days, I evolved from writing diary compositions to short stories to poems. For the few who read my stories, they found a certain liking or connection with my characters, or the plot. They would ask me to either continue the story, or make more. Gladly, I accept.

Another passion of mine may be found deep in the depths of my family tree—both mother’s side and father’s. What is it? MUSIC. In the matriarchal side of my family, they were all, somewhat, required to play a musical instrument. While in the patriarchal side, simply has “profound” taste in music. Music from every generation, either of hopeless romantics or music during the revolution to those angsty ballads are flowing through my veins like blood. There is just something about how the melody compliments the lyrics and how the lyrics go through you. Other than writing, music was what held me together through good times and bad. I found another outlet when a pen is not around. When there came a time that I was in a state of depression, people would catch me in a corner listening to music. Even in random moments, people would catch me humming, if not singing to myself.

There came a certain stage in my life wherein I asked myself what my sole purpose could be. It is with this that my passion for cooking was ignited. I found out that my purpose was to make others happy—in other words, MAKING A DIFFERENCE. It is a known fact that food make people happy. Being a Pilipino, it has been instilled in our culture even long before we were colonized by foreign countries, that eating creates a certain bind in every Pilipino, even in every culture. Seeing how a certain dish can never fail to bring joy and happiness to people, I found cooking to be my calling.

It is with these that I realize how I became ME—the passion for a connection, either to myself or to others. How I interact with others, how I want to make a difference—THAT’S what formed me into who I am now; my attitude and mannerisms are all based into this simple, yet unending chain. It is no wonder that my goal be as simple—to be happy by making others happy.

ENDERUN.

The topic has come out. Now i feel bitter about what happened. :|

I was supposed to be a student of a prestigious school--an international school. Scholarship pa sana. (*sigh*)

For those of you who do not know...

"Enderun is a college that offers a full range of bachelor's degree and non-degree courses in the fields of hotel and restaurant management and culinary arts. Enderun's mission is to prepare its students for leadership positions in this dynamic global industry, not only by providing them with unrivalled professional, and management training, but by grounding them in the humanities, social sciences, arts, and practical physical sciences.

Enderun is committed to the highest international standards of academic excellence. --official website"

Ever since I saw them at a school fair, that has been my target. I feel that I deserved every ounce of it if I ever got in that school. But, knowing it is an international school, I told myself that I would go for a scholarship.

So my grades were not excellent, I figured I could pass the interview. Luckily, someone was already contacting me. She was fixing my papers, giving me interviews, she even offered my dad an overview (which he turned down) of everything that could happen if I got in Enderun (but that didn't happen until later that Summer.)

My mind was set. Being a new school, they didn't have entrance tests... yet. All I had to do was write a bunch of essays, and go to loads of interview, which was, of course, great for me. Great because I am, not to gloat, good at impromptu. :)

The time came for my 1st interview. A lady and one of the founders were the people who interviewed me. I had such fun. Nervous, yes, but they welcomed me as if they were already accepting my application for scholarship. So the interview commenced. I can ask whatever question I want to them. They, in turn, ask me theirs. I was not having an interview. I was having a conversation. And I was loving every minute of it.

As I left the conference room, they gave me an opportunity to ask one more question. I asked "How did I do?" They said, "Well, you were animated." That's all that I could remember in the verbatim, but, they said there is a possibility I can pass.

I was so dumbfounded and happy, I forgot how to open the door. I rushed down the building, where my dad was waiting. I was so happy. I realized what a great feeling it was to work for something--to work at a dream--and have it come true. It definitely felt like Christmas.

I anticipated the day that I would receive a call or a letter from Enderun, telling me that I passed the scholarship.

THE DAY CAME. I received both a call and a letter. Now that I think about it. It was my dad who got the letter and opened it. I never knew there was a letter until the intern from Enderun called to ask if I received my letter. :|

There it was. I WAS ACCEPTED. I jumped for joy. I cried. But I only got partial scholarship. 100,000 php per year, in other words, 50,000 php off every semester. I didn't care. I knew we could handle it.

THE DAY CAME once again that my parents told me NO. I arranged meetings with the lady at Enderun, figuring out what I can do to afford it. We considered everything. But still, they said no.

The lady called me one time. She wanted to talk to my dad. He, I think, was rather rude in a discreet way (He was polite, but, there was this line that made it bad *in a semi-angry voice* "Yes, you have successfully sold your product to my daughter.") I was appalled. I apologized to the lady. She told me in a text "It's ok. I understand your dad. Maybe someday."

Everything just went down the drain.

Coincidentally, it was the time that Asian Food Channel (afc) was being aired. As I stared at the TV in my room, watching everything in the channel, I sobbed, scratched that, I wailed, and threw something at the TV. I immediately called Yang. I was so hurt. I told her "Ito lang ang bagay na pinagsisisihan kong pinalampas ko. One of the things that I know, when I get older, I would look at my acceptance letter and just cry myself to sleep."

i lost all hope then. My plans. My dream.

Until now, when I watch the DVD Enderun gave me during the interview, I still cry, or get teary eyed.

Sabi nalang ni Yang "hintayin mo nalang yung time na kaya mo nang pag-aralin ang sarili mo."

I fear that all would be too late by then.