The Story: It was Friday so with a weekend ahead of me, I decided to take a break from all the stress and just chill. I was looking for something to do and somewhere to go to when Jing and I encountered Jing's pad pals who were on their way to the dance fest at Irwin. Being the kaladkarin people that we are, Jing and I soon found ourselves bombarded with loud music, hot guys and girls, and well-choreographed dance moves.

About the Show: Seeing all that dancing - from the groovy street and hiphop numbers, to the stylish and sensual Flamenco and Chicago's Cell Block Tango, all the way to an interpretative dance set to Evanescence music, and my favorite: a bold and sexy rendition of Madonna's Human Nature with chairs as props - I felt amused and at the same time envious. As in, I was so green with envy! The other girls felt the same. We all wished we could dance like those "no-tummy-all-abs" CADS people.

Post-Show Conversation: I slept over at Jing's and later on in the evening, when Jing was already sound asleep, her room mate Des and I got into a conversation about life. I was naming the stuff I wanted to do. I told Des I want to dance and to design clothes.

Things I Wanna Do:

1. DANCING I've always been fond of dancing. I submit the following as evidence:

* My cousin Hannah, my sister Ruffa, and I used to prepare little numbers to perform during family gatherings. Those were our baduy Steps, Ace of Base, and B*witched days.

2. DESIGNING Now as for the designing thing, you all know that I love playing with fashion. But I'm no longer content with shopping. I want to come up with my own stuff. I think this started when I painted a pair of old jeans in the summer. And I have put some accessories together. That was fun! Also, one of my interviewees for an article on fashionistas, Camille Laurente, told me that she tried making clutch bags and that they were easy to make. So there, I got some ideas and now I am filled with creative energy. I'm not certain of what I'll design yet but I'm sure I'll come up with something.

I really want to get the chance to dance and to design because I think it has always been in me, I just wasn't aware of how much I wanted it until recently.

You see, Des is a Management student. As I talked about the things my course Interdisciplinary Studies let me do like:

I really felt bad for Des. And I told her that if she wants something, she should go give it a try at least. She owes it to herself. Her Management background shouldn't stop her.

Ode to I.S.: At the same time, that made me feel good. I thought, "Des is right. Look at me! I'm doing what I want." I may not have done everything I want to do just yet (well, my to-do list grows long by the day so that's an explanation) but I generally get to do what I like. I've done so many things I wanted to do. I took interesting and fun classes. I got involved with institutions and organizations I truly believe in. Now, even if I don't go to law school like I originally planned, I'm not lost. I'm actually very flexible.

No matter how unprestigious the uninitiated might think I.S. is as a course, I really don't give a sh*t. How many others out there can say that aside from getting to explore two courses, their program has given them a wide perspective through which to view the world, has taught them how to consider all the different sides and see the big picture, has made them ready for practically anything? I.S. has done that and a whole lot more for me. I'm really glad I wrote Interdisciplinary Studies in that first choice course blank in my Ateneo application form.

Conclusion: Now I'm thinking... dancing? designing? what-have-you? It's all a piece of cake. I can do anything I set my mind to doing. Although not yet completely, I can say that I am my own person. My course has made me my own person.