Something Sent

And so I had the guts (or should I say the lack of doing more sensible things) to open my long been abandoned email account.  I had shifted to another provider since the email address of the first is jerkiness overload, which is understandable because I was a young, naive lass back when I signed up for it; first year high school, I think. Haha. Okay, to cut the long story short, I stumbled upon this in my mail's sent items folder -- a reflection from Plato's The Apology I wrote back in my college sophomore year for my Philosophy 1 class. I know it's not much but writing regarding a more serious topic is rare for me these days. I miss writing. I just don't know if it misses me back.

“I am conscious that I am not wise, although I am wiser than some men because I at least know this truth about myself” –Socrates.

            Innocence brings no fear. Those who know that they do not have any knowledge to boast for are far wiser than those who boast of knowledge they do not know. Innocence brings confidence in what one speaks—for no one knows what absolute truth is.

            Human beings are known for having the supreme ability to think among all living things, thus, this gave them a lot of opening to think, rethink, and rethink of ideas and thoughts among themselves. Primarily, those ideas give them their own self-beliefs and principles to hold on to.  They believed those thoughts give them wisdom, hence, it gives them power or edge among others who doesn’t have. But I doubt that—for no one knows if what he says or believes is certain and absolute.         

            Socrates knew that he knew nothing: he knew nothing that is certain; he knew nothing that is absolute. And knowing that he does not know those things make him wise, very wise. If one could only know and accept things that he knows and things he do not, then he can have a vision of how wise he is.

            We know nothing of death according to Socrates, and therefore it is irrational to fear it. How appealing to know a man who does not fear death. We do not know what absolute things will happen after our death but then, we continuously fear it. It is what we believed—or merely what is thought to us. As one thought pierce deeply into the mind of one, it takes a lifetime to suck it all out.

Those Two Words

Mushy? Sometimes, yes.

When slum books and love letters were so in way back elementary, I used to write those two words hastily because (1) everybody writes "Take care" or "T.C". before their signatures and (2) I have lived with the notion that saying those words means you are concerned with the recipient's welfare; that you actually care, etcetera, etcetera.

However it dawned on me that a possible "etcetera" is that, saying take care may mean its actual opposite. One can say take care but mean to say "I don't care about you anymore so take care of yourself instead." or "I'm so done with you, stay away and don't ever pester me again."

Pessimistic? Maybe a bit. However, it doesn't erase the possibility that it can mean what I just said.

Fighting Back

My life is plain, most of the time. That's why I find having petty to serious quarrels a bit foreign but I quite enjoy it. Don't get me wrong. I am not, or I must say, never a war freak. I just know when to take a stand and give people a piece of my mind.

Voicing out opinions needs a bit of exercise, too, you know.

And yeah, I'm in the process of doing it now.

Part Of Me

Katy Perry's latest single, Part Of Me. It was released last 21st at KP's Youtube/Vevo channel. Talk of girl powerrrrrr!♥

Fear of Flying

Though my friends envied me because I always seemed cheerful and confident, I was secretly terrified of practically everything.

Maybe Erica Jong and I are soul mates at some point in our lives, minus the age gap. I actually feel this way. That deep. I would love to meet her. And maybe have a picture with her, and hug her, and spend a day with her, just the two of us talking until we run out of words to say.

Hey, childhood!

Last night was videoke night for my Bulacan friends and I. To my surprise, someone sang this in between up-to-date songs. And all of a sudden I caught myself reminiscing a part of my too-wonderful-that-I-don't-want-to redo-it childhood. 

Our CD player (yup, old school) have had played that song for heaven knows how many, especially during Saturday morning general cleanings. My mother liked that song very mucho and I somewhat developed a liking for it, too. Never fails to give off a sunshine-yy vibe to our mornings, I must say. Hearing this now, its effect is still the same, well, at least for me. 

Perfect for this coming hell week, I must say. Hope this song works wonders on your hell weeks, too! :)

XX, Alyssa♥

Il Pirata

So second semester is already shedding its last days. Final exams, papers and other last minute requirements are taking its toll on us students. Amidst those, we or should I say I, never really give up on parties from time to time since it's the only thing that's keeping me sane from all of those academic shizz. Since it's March and yeah it's the season of organization induction balls in the state U, I chose to attend our org's induction party, Induction 2012: Cells Ahoy! last Friday at a private resort, despite the exams that are in line for me the week after.

Who would've thought I'll be a pirate for a night? I actually loved how my "costume" turned out given that I've prepared for this one less than a day before the actual event cos I'm still undecided to go. I hope I gave justice to this night's role right as a pirate. Teehee. So here's how my night went! :)

Salvi as Jack Sparrow and Gem as, ughh, pirate? Haha!

Buley, Salvi and Hannah. Batch '10s.

Lineage loves. Inaanaks Buley and Bryan.♥

With the newly-inducted org president, Wilkus as Captain Hook? Haha.

With Guada, another TVD co-fanatic. :)

Second sem buddies. :)

With Yen, my chika buddy. :)

The most decent solo picture I had that night. Hihi. All of these, I got from my closet except the red and black striped top and the boots courtesy of Yuri, another orgmate.

Most of us wore boots. Should I call this night Boot Night instead? :))

Got only a handful of picture cos I left the party a bit earlier than usual. Enjoyed the night, though! Thanks everyone for making my last (hopefully) Cells' induction ball as an undergraduate such a hit! And also, I would like to thank my org inaanaks (godchildren/mentees), Bryan and Buley for their tribute gift and letters! It made me cry and, ughh sniff. Haha! Would write about the tribute gift in another post, prolly a bit later! :)

Til next post!
XX, Pirate Alyssa

Cafe Antonio xx Arla Diner

Thank God it's Fridaaaaay! Ended the school week with some caffeine dose minus the books, notes and PDFs with my favorite girls. The two-jeepney-ride long travel  to Cafe Antonio and Arla from UPLB was truly worth it! So yeah, I'll let the pictures do the talking. :)

Cafe Antonio's new facade. From its place in LB Square, Canton moved to a more quiet environment at Maahas, beside a fine-dining restaurant, Arla Diner.

The Menu.

Freshly brewed, yes!

The junction between Cafe Antonio and Arla Diner. Isn't the place lovely? <3

One of Canton's newest blend, Owltonio. It's Arabica, Robusta and Exelsa rolled into one! :)

While waiting for our orders! Hi, C and D! :)

Hi there, Ate Tin! Advance happy birthday (when this was taken)! :))

Hello, B! :)

Canton's coffee maker. :)

Finally! *nomnom*

I ordered this Pasta Carbonara at Arla. It's worth your 200php. :)

My Owltonio-blended Cappuccino.♥ 120php

One happy kid here! :)

If you wish to visit Cafe Antonio and/or Arla, these few things might be of help:

Cafe Antonio
5024 National Hi-way, Brgy. Maahas, 4030 Los Baños, Philippines
Tuesdays-Sundays, 12:00pm-9:00 pm

Payment Option: Cash only

Services: Takes Reservations, Walk-Ins Welcome, Good For Groups, Good For Kids, Take Out, Catering and Outdoor Seating

Phone: 09064550522

E-mail: cafeantonio_elbi@yahoo.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cafe-Antonio

Arla Diner

Phone: 09179019323 or 049-827-1769

E-mail: arlaresto@gmail.com

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001978303599

Photos taken from Bea Lopez. Post-processed by yours truly. :)

Feature: A Beloved Jelly

I am in love with flats. One, because I can practically go anywhere with it; from school walks, random errands, to mall visits. Two, comfortability issues. And three, myself being unaccustomed to wearing heels since the world began. Haha, kidding. But truth be told, I only wear heels during graduations and debuts. Otherwise, I'm in my old self, wearing a pair of flats.

First thing today, I browsed Melissa Philippines' site since a friend of mine talked about the Brazilian brand. And look what I've found -- avant-garde designed flats! Don't you love the details? :)

Worth a second look, yes?

I've learned that Melissa has partnered  with an array of fashion designers (Vivienne Westwood, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Judy Blame), architects (Karim Rashid) and even furniture designers (Fernando and Humberto Campana)! Melissa is actually a top brand of Grendene, one of the world's largest manufacturer of footwear.

It's jelly, thanks to Melflex technology, with a candy smell, making it just but perfect for jazzing up gloomy, rainy days or should I say, every day? A beloved jelly, indeed! :)