to "journal" or not to "journal"

I received an interesting article in my mail today. It's about the merits of habitual journal writing. The article confirmed once more that writing down one's thoughts (positive, negative or anything in between) contributes to the writer's physical and psychological well-being. However, the article's author (Writespark's Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ) takes it one step further by stating:

"While pouring out your frustrations can be a release valve for daily stress, it is important to make a positive statement from it all. When you look at the proverbial bright side of an experience, you are on the way to a happier life. If you can only see the dark, depressing side, take a few moments to consider what you have in your life that makes you feel thankful. In fact, an entire journal devoted to gratitude is not a bad idea at all for your emotional health."

I'd like my Englone students to read the entire article by clicking on this link to Ideas for Simplifying Daily Journal .The article also has practical tips for overcoming writing blocks (i.e., running out of topics, not being able to start your essay, etc.)

Good luck!! :)

advance octoberfest (inulan tuloy)!

Because we were sick and tired of a week filled to seams with work and studies and being patient with the sordid aspects of life...

Because we were relatively young and single and entitled to whatever fun life can still offer...

Because there was nothing left to do but go home, yet the weather got so bad we couldn't do that even...

Because we were bored and Paseo was just several blocks away...we went OCTOBERFEST-ing!

But hey, it wasn't as glamorous as you'd probably think. We had dinner at Kanin Club, but we had to hurry up a bit because we came in about an hour to closing time. Our table lend a generous view of the gyrating vocalists of some show band on stage; talk about [beer] belly dancing!

Then we all trooped over to Sofia to down some malt; that's when in poured. It poured and poured all throughout the night. At certain times, it rained down harder. After our 2nd bucket, we had to transfer to a spot with sturdier roofing, just to make sure we didnt get soaked. After Mojofly, the main band, played, we went home.

There was nothing really special about the event. Same showbands, same crowd, almost the same price for the beer (what octoberfest?!?!?), and Mojofly sounded really bland...no different from the next pop band on the street.

So what was special about last Friday night? Well, I spent it with some really good friends, we laughed and despite it all we had fun. Thanks Sche, H, Raymond and Bjorn! :)

never too tired for good films

It's been another tiring (but fun) morning today at school. I had to wake up extra early this morning since I wasn't able to do much last night. I came home from UP Diliman a bit later than I expected--the traffic was horrendous and the weather just didn't cooperate. I was still on the bus headed home when Sche texted to tell me that she and H were at the isawan. So as soon as I arrived I trooped over but didn't really eat much (1 tenga, lang.)

We spent the later part of the evening watching Martin Scorsese's The Last Temptation of Christ (1988). The film's based on the controversial novel by Nikos Kazantzakis' (1951)--controversial meaning banned in many countries since it was published. I particularly enjoyed the author/director's refreshing perpective of Jesus's character. This version of Jesus' life presents him as a sinful and despised man. Everyone knows Jesus's profession was in carpentry, but who would depict him as one who supplied the Romans with crosses with which they crucify Jews? Now isn't that great irony. And of course, there's that controversial scene of him and Mary Magdalene getting in the sack.


Anyway, great performance by Willem Dafoe (Jesus) and, most specially, Harvey Keitel (Judas). I actually empathized with Judas in this rendition. Hehe. Watch it so you know why. And if you do, could you tell me what you think was Jesus' last temptation. Sche, H and I might have different views.

Kakaintriga...

Not another...?!?!?!

This must be my 6th blog...I have stopped keeping track a long time ago; not because I didnt want to maintain them, but because I have forgotten my usernames and passwords due to disuse. Most of these blogs of mine currently floating in cyberspace--idle--were made exclusively for some of my classes. Well, here's another one for my current English One (basic college writing) class.

Don't expect that much writing for me, though. I think that reading and commenting on all my English One student's blogs will take up all the time I have. Instead, I'll just be using this to post links to my student's works for everyone to read and comment on, too. Now and then, hopefully, I could get to write something substantial, worthy of this little spot in cyberspace. probably a random journal entry or two.

Maybe I'll start now and share a snippet of my one-week term break.














I spent three days of it in this quiet, peaceful and astoundingly beautiful little town called El Nido. Out jaws dropped the moment Sche, H and I got down from the old, rickety bus we spent 8 hours travelling in. The sight of the town sitting at the foot of a majestic cliff, the amazing horizon at a distance and the crystal, bluegreen water made all the travel hassles worth it. El Nido: paradise.

And we spent less than P2000 during our stay there. Including trasportation, i think.

O siya, that's it for now. Watch out for my students' blogs...enjoy! :)