GIRL INTERRUPTED
GIRL INTERRUPTED
4.23.2005
ALSO OFFICIALLY BOWLED OVER
Officially Bowled Over
Wow. I am so totally flattered right now. Rachelle, whose blog I read (and love) actually [sic] posted a comment on my blog (my other blog). The comment she posted was also on her tagboard. My name was there. My NAME was there. I was... acknowledged.
How cool is THAT? I mean, I don't even know the person. I just read her blog. And because of that blog, we now have a connection. LOL, we're not, like, best friends all of a sudden, okay? I'm just saying that I think it is just so cool how you get to meet new people over the Internet. I've met a lot of people before through chatting but Rachelle (and a lot of other people whose blogs are on my links), is one of the smartest. I love her take on life, her wit, her writing style... And now she acknowledged me.
I am officially bowled over.
------------------------------
rache said:hello lara! :)
thanks for visiting my blog. i'm really flattered by your comments.
we have the same bets in AI pala. onga, go vonzell! :) don't worry, i really plan to finish the season and update comments.
looking at your blog, i think we have a lot in common. i like those movies too. *kilig*
thanks for the link btw. :)
------------------------------Her comment was in reference to my comment about her AI entry and my Mean Girls and The Princess Diaries 2: The Royal Engagement "review".
posted by larissa gonzales @ 10:40 PM
Source: Brain Damaged a.k.a. Lara's blog
If Lara was bowled over, I was too. AM. I still am. I mean, wow!!!
*Rachelle takes time to breathe*
1. I haven't in my wildest imagination ever thought that someone would become very happy over a comment I left on his/her blog. It's not like I'm a celebrity.
Besides, I think commenters deserve to be acknowledged. If people take time out to appreciate you, you owe them that much.
Although looking back, I guess I understand Lara to a certain degree. I also feel excited when a new reader pops in and drops me a line or when a friend decides to reach me via the cyberworld... So I find myself overjoyed that Lara not only left a comment but posted an entire entry about me.
2. I really like this girl. And there's nothing like finding mutual respect and admiration.
I'm glad that she found me so I was able to find her. It seems that we have a lot in common, starting with a fondness for romantic comedies like "Princess Diaries" and teen flicks like "Mean Girls" to wishing Heart Evangelista's character in Hiram would just die because all her paawa effect is so nauseating.
3. And the last but most important thing...
She is absolutely right in saying "I just read her blog. And because of that blog, we now have a connection... I think it is just so cool how you get to meet new people over the Internet."
It is indeed amazing how we come to know so much about other people--their favorite things, stuff they hate, their mood swings, their writing style, their friends, their daily schedule, and all that--through taking a minute to enter their online real estate.
And I have learned so much through being let inside wonderful places like Sassy's mansion House on a Hill, Tito Rolly's classroom Turo ni Tito, Bianca's playground Superbianca, Carla's backstage Rocker's World, JillSabs's peak SabitskiPoint, Chinkin's dark room A Celebration of Filipino Images, and so many more private-turned-public spaces. Blogging and bloghopping opened me up to a world of political and social commentaries, soliloquys, fresh ideas, pieces that tug on the heart, cool HTML, and so much more.
All of this reminds me of the reason I blog despite the potential danger of people holding things I say against me, despite my dad's annoying snooping, despite all the time needed for this (time that could be spent in some other useful activity), despite all the downers.
A blog is a sharing of a life.
I allow you to partake in my joys, fears, problems, and memories just as you become a part of them. In the process, we become part of each other.
To Lara: Thank you very much! :) You've just made my day. It's people like you who inspire me to write more and to grow. Here's to the start of a nice friendship!
P.S. I added you to my links as is befitting a truly wonderful person in the cyberworld. Join my world and other worlds of words!
4.21.2005
I AM SPONGEBOB!!!
Spongebob!
Congratulations, you are Spongebob!
You'd love to work at the Krusty Krab 24/7, and
you don't care if everyone knows! I'm Ready!
Which Spongebob character are you?
* test from Quizilla
4.20.2005
HABEMUS PAPAM!
(WE HAVE A NEW POPE!)
White smoke has already come out of the chimney. The bells have rung and enveloped the area around Sistine Chapel with an air of resolution. Joseph Ratzinger a.k.a. Pope Benedict XVI has officially succeeded Pope John Paul II in leading the Roman Catholic Church.
Wow! That was quite an event! The death of Pope John Paul II which shook the world (Christians and non-Christians alike), all the speculation about the votation (including questions about the process, analysis of patterns, etc.), and now the proclamation. Wow!
But to be very honest, I'm still not sure of what to think of and how to feel about this guy.
On one hand, I'm wary about his being supposedly "traditional." I believe in the liberation theology spurred by Vatican II. I think opening up to embrace other faiths is a good and very Christian move. Conservative doctrines might make the already relatively good relations between religions take some steps backward. That was why I was hoping a liberal or a marginalized (African or Asian like Francis Arinze of Nigeria maybe) would win the papacy. With everything that's going on in the world today, we are in desperate need of inspiration. So giving other races and groups a shot at the post might prove to be beneficial for all. Ratzinger didn't exactly have the factor going for him.
But on the plus side, everyone is saying that this newly-elected head of the Catholic Church is really smart and is very experienced in matters concerning the faith. Knowledge and training is always good. The 117-man conclave wouldn't choose just anybody since the papacy is obviously very big. The fact that Ratzinger's qualifications impressed the cardinals enough to make them trust him with the heavy responsibility certainly counts for something. That the decision was arrived at quickly is an added point for the winner. Also, in response to hesitations about his leaning, those who are in the know when it comes to Catholicism say that Ratzinger shouldn't be labeled as "traditional" because he had made liberal decisions in the past. Hmmm... we'll have to look into that.
With the conflicting ideas and emotions, I'm really not sure about Pope Benedict XVI.
But even though I'm still undecided, I'm resolute on how we should take the news. We should give him a chance. We should pray for him. We should remain steadfast to our faith and cling to the hope of a stronger and unified church.
Congratulations Pope Benedict XVI! We welcome you as our leader and wish you all the best for your term. May the Lord be with you!
4.17.2005
REWIND 2: DATE WITH MOM
lunch at her favorite restaurant
+
the complete movie experience [read: a romantic comedy, buckets of popcorn, softdrinks, really soft cushion seats, all-out mother-daughter banter]
It was my post-birthday slash thanks-for-supporting-my studies treat. At first, I was quite pleased with myself for thinking of such a good way to show her my appreciation for everything she has done for me.
Background:
1. I do give her gifts. But that's like a staple for occasions.
2. I've written cards and letters that brought her to tears. She really appreciates those. I know for a fact that she keeps them in a special place and reads them every once in a while. But she totally deserves that. What good is someone's talent if it would not be dedicated to the people who made it all possible?
3. We do go out a lot, most of the time shopping. But those trips involve me and things I need. I make use of her wonderful fashion advice but in turn just make her tired. She's happy to go with me of course and never complains. But really, I get pretty much everything positive: clothes, food, fun whereas she gets the stress.
4. I'm quite a good obedient daughter but that's nothing compared to her being such a devoted mother.
Bottomline: It has always been about me.
And so I thought that this little date was special because it was about her. For once. Totally deserved. So long overdue.
We had a good time. We talked a lot. We held hands. 'Coz we're both movie buffs, we found a nice common ground. I paid. She felt good, really touched by her daughter's act of love.
I thought that was the end of the story, the completion of my "wonderful daughter" task, some quality time spent. But as it turns out there's more to things than I recognized.
When we arrived home, she said thank you looking really pleased. But the smile that came with the thanks stayed on her face for only a few seconds. Upon entering the door, she switched back to "mommy mode." The first thing she did was to check if my brother was home from his OJT. Then she instructed the maid to take out the meat for dinner, brought my dad a glass of water, put my newly-ironed clothes inside my closet, etc. etc. I can't believe how long the "to attend to" list of mommies are. What struck me even more is that she seemed to perform all her duties as a mother and as a wife with quiet efficiency and without the slightest hint of tiredness and frustration like I know I would feel if I were in her shoes.
That was when it hit me.
If my mom and I were to make a list of self-sacrificial acts/acts of love we did for each other so as to make some kind of "bill" to even things out, I could never repay her completely. I'd probably have about a hundred points compared to her hundred thousand.
She loves me and cares for me every single moment of each and every day. It's in her kisses. It's in her hugs. It's in her regular phone calls when I was still at the dorm. It's in the way she shares the trivial things that have happened in her day. (Yes, I'm guilty of sometimes just letting her talk and not really listening although now I find it nice that she wishes to include me in her everyday through that.) It's in her always remembering to buy my favorite snacks. It's in the way she wakes me up early in the morning ('coz I ask her, not really thinking it's so inconvenient for her, now I know better) only to come back 30 minutes after to force me to get me off my butt before I'm late again. It's in the way she keeps quiet when I shout at her at times I am such a brat. It's in the way she musters a smile and a thank you when I've done something for her and think that it is enough despite the fact that it really isn't.
My mom deserves so much more than the out-of-the-blue treats.
Maybe we can go to the parlor next week. And I could give her extra hugs. And I could be less of a princess. And I could help her cook. The list goes on and on...
4.16.2005
REWIND 1: HOLY WEEK
A.K.A. FAMILY TRADITIONS
With that said, let me tell you one other thing: I'm really into family traditions. I love how they bring all the members together, how in the one activity of the present they show you your past and lead you to your future, and just how they highlight the spirit of family.
The making and parading of the crucified Jesus' karo every Good Friday and Black Saturday is a great tradition of the Ocol clan.
This year, my cousin Hana and I documented the activity. In between cutting paco leaves, decorating the float with beautiful flowers, putting the [very freaky in its seeming so real] Jesus mannequin inside, handing out the family's donation of candles in the procession, and all the way to the post-procession pa-merienda, we took snap shots.
Yesterday, when I was at their house spending the afternoon, we played around with Microsoft Photodraw (an application that's like Photoshop but is much cooler!) Her computer programmer dad showed us the way around. We tinkered with shapes, backgrounds, talk balloons, etc.
Here is the result. Take a peek at our family's great religious tradition.
4.06.2005
BLOG ANNIVERSARY
Happy birthday to me!
Happy birthday, happy birthday!
Happy birthday to me!
Exactly one year ago, I started this blog. Just for kicks. Since it was summer and I had some free time on my hands.
Little did I know that the "register" button in Blogger's homepage is actually a ticket to a brand new exciting world--this blogging community that I've come to love. I wasn't aware that from that day I assumed the alias "Girl Interrupted," it would become not only my online identity but it would develop into an entire dimension of my self. No, no one told me that I would meet loads of interesting individuals and actually become friends with them. Didn't really think that anyone aside from my barkada would bother to read my work. But look at this. I had no inkling whatsoever that I'd derive so much pleasure from seeing a new comment or from monitoring the site's activity and seeing it rise up. I had no idea that by learning some HTML and taking time to post, I would gain a useful outlet for times I feel bad and need advice as well as for times I want to share my joys and victories. I had no idea that by becoming more and more fascinated with this thing and developing it, some people would actually admire me. It's flattering (though still a bit weird and surreal) whenever someone commends me for the work I've put in. People I respect started respecting me citing the rawness and openness by which I apply myself to the blogging process. Who would've thought that would happen? Conversely, there wasn't any note warning against the trouble I'd encounter once people who shouldn't find out about this--namely my dad--do. I truly wasn't prepared for that embarrassing, irritating, testing experience. Also didn't foresee that I'd still be very much involved with this after a year (still with the initial momentum) has already passed. It is nothing but interest and true love for this creative expression that is motivating me to continue up to this point.
To sum that entire paragraph up: I didn't know a lot of things before.
But now I do. Still not everything. But a lot of things. And I learn more and more each day.
This blog has been a tool in my learning. So many stories. So many new friends. So much drama. So much fun. All coming to this first anniversary.
So I want to express how gifted I feel for getting into this thing. Thank you to everyone who has joined me in my journey. As my student days have ended and a new phase is starting to unfold in my life, join me. We still have a long way to go. Who knows what else there is to know out there? So much lies beyond.
GIRL INTERRUPTED
GIRL INTERRUPTED
Hi! I am Rachelle and this is my online journal.
Hear what I have to say. Look and see inside of me. Enter the mind of a girl, interrupted.
This work is protected by a Creative Commons License.
No part of this blog may be used, copied, and/or reproduced without the consent of the blog owner. Any violation is subject to criminal persecution.
WARNING!!!
Site is off-limits to dad!
If you are my dad and you are so hard-headed that you're still reading this, exit immediately. Trust daddy! Trust! I'd really hate you if I find out you are still snooping around.
Commenting system already disabled since this blog now only kept for posterity sake, cross-postings aside.
You may visit me at
www.fairytale-not.
livejournal.com
and
www.missprim
butnotproper.
multiply.com
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