The April Fools of My Life

I did not even realize yesterday was April Fools. For someone who loves laughing at other people’s misery and misfortunes, including my own, the fact that the universal joke day passed by so uneventfully is a very sad fact. Come to think of it, there isn’t a single April Fools  that stands out in my mind. It’s a sad, sad thing.

I’m not one who makes jokes and devise devious pranks for a laugh. You’d only have to see me throwing a half-empty cup with its mouth facing towards me during a football game to know that I naturally do things that make people laugh without any intention of making people laugh. By the way, that cup hit the head of a guy sitting two rows in front of me, and I spent the rest of the game squatting behind my seat because I was convinced I was going to get beaten up. But you know, I laugh at anything. I’m very easy to be made to laugh- a guy flipping vertically over his bicycle, a college buddy getting stuck in his sister’s super-80s prom dress after my encouragement to try it on, tripping over a phantom cable on a football field, getting hit in the crotch by a 120-mph tennis ball, a fart at a yoga class… you name it.

So really, there’s gotta be tons for me to laugh at and with on April Fools. But no, there isn’t anything for me to laugh at or with. There was nothing funny that happened yesterday, and though I did laugh, it wasn’t because of an April Fools joke. And now I’m trying to  rake my brain to recall a single funny memory of an event that happened on April 1, and… I got nothing.

It bothers me that no one has played a joke or a prank on me. I don’t normally  do a prank on others simply because I’m too lazy. I saw this video on CNN iReport, where a group of office employees cover their boss’ office with aluminum foil. See, I don’t do that, because one, it’s too much work, and two, these people must have stayed late the day before or come in much earlier on April 1 to carry out this prank, and honestly, I’d rather sleep. I don’t do jokes or pranks sure, but considering my klutz-iness and blond-inside status, I am a prime target for an April Fools joke. However, for some unexplainable reason, I have never been a victim of  April Fools day, and I can’t understand why no one bothers to pull a joke on me!

The first thing that came to my mind is unpopularity- don’t bullies target the least popular kids? I may possess some extreme anti-social graces but I am not unpopular. So this theory of hierarchical system of popularity doesn’t apply here. So then I thought, maybe people are so busy in their work that they forget about having a laugh on my expense. We all know how the recession is affecting everyone, and everyone is worrying about their jobs and their next paychecks. Obviously the said group of employees above has no concern over the recession, or they are just taking revenge on him for all the things he’s done over the year. I don’t know, I’m just guessing here. Then, I thought, why is it, that when an April Fools prank is targeted towards random people, I’m still not random enough to be a part of that random people. It’s almost like I’m fated not to be laughed at on April Fools Day.

Hang on, a memory from way back when has just emerged. I think this happened when I was in primary school or maybe even 7th grade. It was April Fools, and this group of boys were scaring the girls in my class by telling them there was a cockcroach on their skirts. Of course all the girls looked down in horror then giggled stupidly in relief, except me. I looked down, and seeing nothing, I said something that was not very ladylike at the boys and did not emit a single girlish giggle. I appreciate creativity in a guy, you see, even from such a young age.

A lot of funny things have happened to me which made people laugh at me and me laughed at myself. I have had an M&M’s dropped into my pants, and I sat with the damn thing between my butt cheeks for the whole day. I only found out that there had been an M&M down there when I took off my jeans at home and heard a ‘clink’ sound. I have lied down on the floor to proof myself and my buddy that Leonardo’s Virtuvian Man ratio is correct by measuring the length of my body and the span of my arms. My buddy then theorized that the circumference of my palm would equal that of my face, so I naively put my palm to my face and ended up slapping myself in the face with a little help from my buddy. I can go on and on and on.

All these funny things that have happened to me occurred on any other day than April Fools. I guess April Fools to me is like Valentine’s Day. Why do you need a special day to have a laugh when on the remaining 364 days of the year I get farted on the face, get made fun of because of my short tongue (it’s really short) or laughing at my friend for being so constipated it made him dizzy? I’m made fun of and I made fun of my friends almost every single day of my life so in all honesty I need not feel upset that no one is pulling one on me on April 1.

You know what would be really cool though? Getting proposed on April Fools. That would be very, very eventful indeed. But we all know that ain’t gonna happen to me. So I’ll settle for 364 days of April Fools.

Holy Money!

One of the headlines in today’s newspapers caught my eye, raised my eyebrows, and made me swear. Quite a way to start the day, I must say.

The headline says that a leader of the popular Church here in this country has been paid $500,000 in the last financial year. Converted to USD, that would come to about $330,000, just 70 grand shy of Obama’s paycheck, and this is without the added stress of getting the country out of a recession and ending 2 unpopular wars. Now you get why I swore?

The newspaper article goes on saying that this church not only was able to reward its leader half a million dollars, but also was able to raise $19 million (US $12.6 million) in ONE day. ONE DAY!

I’m not going to judge, though those who know me would know how much I’m itching to say inappropriate and un-PC things in regards to this issue, but seriously, should a church be this wealthy? What happens to the Sunday school teachings of staying humble, helping those in need, etc, etc? I believe in rewarding people who have done great service to your cause, but 500 grand? Yes, this leader has recruited followers, some of whom are teenagers who need guidance in their lives. Yes, this leader has made religion hip and has provided moral grounds for young people who would otherwise turn to the world of sins and amorality. But 500 grand? Seriously?

It’s hard for me to take a religious institution who makes close to US$40 million last year and is planning to build a multi-million dollar building seriously. I mean, seriously, is this a corporation or is this a spiritual haven? Why must the building to be constructed cost millions? Surely a simple worship place would be suitable, and the extra money can be given to charities or to start foundations to help the disadvantaged youth of the country or the region even with that kind of money. Surely people who are seeking God would go to a church or any other religious house without considering the architecture, the quality of materials or the annual financial statement?

Maybe it’s just my upbringing of idolizing Pope John Paul and Mother Theresa in my religious days, seeing these two great religious figures who were simple and humble, and enriched their lives in immaterial things. Yes, Pope John Paul got to live in that awesome place in the Vatican, surrounded by priceless masterpieces of the Renaissance artists (I’m so jealous), but he campaigned for peace and human rights. Mother Theresa abandoned her wealth to help the poor. And how much, I wonder, did they get paid?

Look, I don’t know where all this 40million earned would go to, but I certainly hope the poor and the needy would get  a slice of that. It speaks of the church’s popularity and the generosity of its followers to bank that kind of profit, but seriously, spreading the word of God shouldn’t be attached to any price or salary. And this is coming from a cynical self-proclaimed Agnostic.

To the church leader defense, the dude who’s receiving 500 grand, he has requested twice that his position be a no-pay one; however, the church board has rejected his first request, and no answer has been given for his second one. I guess we all should consider a career change, shouldn’t we?

The Scary Truth of the New Astrological Sign

I took a “What’s Your New Astrological Sign” quiz on Facebook. Of course I took this quiz for pure fun, but based on my experiences, these kind of quiz no longer surprises me. The answers have always been the standard description of my star sign, and this description describes my personality quite well. Maybe it’s just biased psychology; my mind unconsciously agrees with whatever is written because it is made up of traits that I like- love to travel, needs challenge, cannot be tied down, stubborn, etc, etc.

However, this New Astrological Sign quiz kind of took me aback a little. Not only it provides the standard description as other astrological quizzes, it also pegs the bad sides of me quite to the T:

Buoyancy characterizes the Sagittarian Rooster. He’s atwitter with chitchat and agog with stories of adventure. This subject, born under two of the most high-strung signs, will be nervous, frank, candid, and a bit carried away with himself. The word is enthusiasm but it’s more than that. Sagittarius/Roosters are full of dash and elan. They cut an impressive figure wherever they go-and they go everywhere! Superficially, this character appears boastful and cocky. But deep down he is serious, dreams of helping the downtrodden and cares enormously about others. His love life is highly charged, but uneven. Great passions come alive and carry him to heavenly heights. The next week, it’s over. The paradox lies in this person’s odd relationship to deceit. He can’t stand untruth and yet is capable of some devious fibbing of his own. This approach makes cementing love into anything more permanent than a roll in the hay in a grass hut. The sex is surely delicious. But don’t count on this character to still be there in the morning.

If any one of my friend is asked to describe me, they would say 99% of what was written above. On the one hand, I’m quite pleased that this astrological stuff has turned out to be more than just ancient beliefs and eve my cynical side is nodding in agreement that there may be some truth in how the stars were alligned on the day you were born could affect your personality. But on the other hand, I’m sure I’m not the only Sagitarian Rooster in the world, and although this quiz result doesn’t apply to all of my fellow Sagitarian Roosters, there must be a percentage who sees their personality being described accurately just by entering their birthdates. It kind of makes me feel less unique. I’m starting to think that these characteristics are what make me ME, and having to share these with others? I’m selfish that way.

Watchmen

On March 4, a day before Watchmen opened nationwide in this island nation, I was surprised to see a review of this movie, based on one of the best graphic novels of all time, received a depressing 2 star rating. The reviewer claimed that the jaded superhero story was a been-there-done-that idea that failed to ignite his imagination, and that Watchmen was nothing but yet another superhero movie with no essence and zero entertainment value.

Well, I beg to differ.

Watchmen the movie, like Watchmen the graphic novel, is set in 1985 in a parallel universe where America won the Vietnam War and Nixon never had to go through the Watergate scandal. America and USSR are steps away from a nuclear war, and the doomsday clock is set at 5 minutes to midnight, indicating that annihilation is just around the corner. A group of superheroes, known as the Minutemen, was lauded and loved by the public in the 1940s. Forty years later, a new generation of superheroes known as the Watchmen has been disbanded, rejected by society  and despised by its people, thanks to the Keene Act.

The story is basically a whodunit murder mystery. The Comedian aka Edward Blake, a Minutemen/ Watchmen member, was thrown out of his apartment window to his death. Roschach, another Watchmen has-been, suspects that The Comedian’s murder is only the beginning of more masked vigilante’s deaths. Roschach’s investigation introduces us to the other characters in the movie: Dan Dreiberg/ Nite Owl, Laurie Jupiter, excuse me, Juzpeczyk/ Silk Spectre II, Doc Manhattan, and Adrian Veight/ Ozymandias. 

As the story unfolds, the background of each characters is revealed, and we learn how jaded and depressed these ex-superheroes are, how the dejection of the Keene Act takes away a livelihood and happiness that each character (except Roschach who refuses to obey the Act) takes from crime-fighting.  We also learn about the widespread fear and uncertainty of the looming nuclear war, and ultimately, what humanity fears, what motivates it, and the results of these motivations and fears. In the process, the movie peels layer after layer of complexity that the novel took 12 issues to reveal, and we learn in the end the true motive behind The Comedian’s murder and the unexpected consequences in the search for justice.

Zack Snyder, who has been entrusted in translating Watchmen to the big screen, has stayed loyal to the graphic novel by religiously following the dialogues of Alan Moore and the illustration of Dave Gibbons.  Critics may say that Snyder was using the same formula of his previous movie 300, another graphic novel adaptation, but let me say this: by using that same formula, Snyder has made a movie out of a graphic novel that has been widely believed can never be made into a movie.

Watchmen is more than just a story about a superhero trying to find the bad guy and bring him to justice. Watchmen is more than just jaded superheroes trying to find meaning in their lives after their crime-fighting alter egos are rejected by society. Watchmen tries to answer society’s questions of who is held responsible for those in power and it attempts to explain what humanity is and what it is capable of doing.

Watchmen is an intelligent, deep, complex movie that is also visually satisfying. The graphic violence is, well, graphic and unforgiving, but the story will be crippled without this violence (Roschach will never be Roschach if his acts are censored for a PG13 rating). Symbolisms that are prominent in the novel are displayed faithfully in the movie, giving more realism and completing the whole movie experience, though I am itching to see the movie again to see what I have missed.

Watchmen is a pure entertaining movie that carries a lot of intellect and (dare I say) philosophy that some people may find tiring or unbelievable, as our 2-star reviewer has found. However, fans of the graphic novel are rejoicing, and those who are new to it are awed at what a graphic novel can do. Watchmen is, without a doubt, worth more than 2 stars.

The Last Single Girl

My cousin has just announced that she is engaged and will tie the knot in May this year. This news, naturally, set off my parents’ longing to see me walk down the aisle, especially I am the only female in the family with no boyfriend or a ring on my finger. I, naturally, balk at the idea of committing myself to someone for the rest of my life.

Some may say I’m commitment phobic. Well, I am commitment phobic, I’m sure a lot of guys out there would vouch for that. I just simply don’t like being in a relationship. My first boyfriend was so needy and demanded to spend every second of free time with me that telling him I was going out with my girlfriends became a guilt trip. He had to call me every night and talked about every single thing that happened in his day that I have put him on speaker, went about to do my own stuff, and came back to find that he had not stopped talking, and also he had not realized I was gone for a few minutes. I made a point to learn from my mistakes and devised a radar system which I can use to recognize such neediness in guys so that I wouldn’t have to go through such a relationships again. My system worked fine, and I ended up chasing the bad boys instead of the dependable, emotionally available good guys. However, I did find a flaw in my system. Even the bad boys have a sensitive side, and when that side comes out, my system crumbles. I just couldn’t be with someone who is so nonchalant with a devil may care attitude in public and a sensitive new age guy in private who gets offended when I spent some of my free time calling a college buddy over the weekend. 

Some may say I’m career driven. I can assure you, I am definitely not career driven. One, I’m unemployed, and two, I don’t even know what kind of career I want to pursue for the rest of my life. If trying to make money from my ranting is considered career driven, then yes, I am guilty of that, but I’m 100% sure I don’t fall into the category of 21st century women who put their career first and marriage second.

Some say maybe I haven’t found my soulmate, and God knows how often I hear this. I met up with a childhood friend a couple of years back, and of course coming from a strong family oriented country such as our home country, the topic of conversation naturally turned to ‘When are you getting married?’. When I told her that I hadn’t felt the itch yet, the first thing she said to me was not to worry, because the right guy would come along. I’m sure she doesn’t mean it in a condescending way, but when you’ve heard it said to you every time someone asked when you’re getting married, you start to feel that it’s become a consoling, sympathetic remark that can be translated to: “You poor thing, you haven’t found a potential husband yet. I hope you find one soon or you’ll spend the rest of your life miserably alone.”

Why is my choice to be single and not wanting to see anyone or being in a relationship so difficult to accept or comprehend? Why is it such a blasphemy to say that I don’t believe in the institution of marriage for myself? 

I’m not arguing that marriage is bad. My girlfriends would make great wives and mothers, whereas I would make a terrible one. I am too independent for my own good and too stubborn to compromise on anything that doesn’t lie in line with my beliefs and thoughts. I am not afraid that I would grow old alone in a small little flat, with only dogs as my company, because I can foresee the unhappiness if I defied myself by giving in to marriage. I know that I would feel I was missing out on a lot of things. Places to go, books to read, friends to be made, and my own self-discovery. 

Perhaps I’m just selfish; I simply don’t want to change myself or compromise anything that is mine for anyone else. Perhaps it’s the way I dislike how society in my home country view women as unsuccessful unless she has a man to call her husband. Perhaps it’s the expectation that has been imposed on women to utilize our reproductive system maximally to pass on the genes and continue the family name. 

All I know is that, from my own experience, I am much happier when I am on my own than when I am with another person. And I know, that even every one around me is getting married one by one, leaving me all alone in my own world, I’d be much happier as the last single girl than as a Mrs. Someone.

The Election Hangover

Before I seriously put on my political hat and evaluate the recently ended US presidential campaign and election, allow me to state a few things. One, I am not a US citizen, but I’d like to think of the US as my adopted home away from home. Two, I am too liberal to be dress myself in Republican red. Three, I know very little of politics than what I see and hear on CNN, so don’t crucify me for this post. And four, I am just honestly stating my opinions and asking questions that have been bothering me, so if anyone can give me an insight or two and enrich my political knowledge, it would be really great.

Now, let’s start.

When it was announced that Obama and McCain were the presidential nominees for their respective parties, I was very excited. I think the Obama- Clinton fight was a big challenge for Obama to overcome, and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was curious to see how he would take on McCain for the presidency. And you know of McCain as the Maverick, McRage, etc, and with his 26 years of experience, you expect some really heavy, interesting and exciting campaigning from him, against the fresh, inspirational campaign of Obama’s. So, the stage was set, may the best man win.

The Vice-Presidential nominees were next to be announced. Obama’s choice made sense. Joe Biden has experience, especially in foreign policies, something that a lot of people say Obama lacks knowledge in. Biden may be a more hot-headed senator than Joe Cool Obama, but you see how they have chemistry and how they really support each other. And, most importantly, Biden has a sense of humor- I believe anyone who can laugh at themselves is someone you can get along with. So, you know, Obama- Biden is a good partnership in my eye.

And what did McCain do? Pick a governor, with very little experience, and from a state that she claims she can see Russia from just because it shares a little strait of a border. And this close proximity is her qualification in foreign policy. Wow. Seriously, of all the 50 states, of all the Republican candidates in USA, Sarah Palin? Really? I mean, I have nothing against Alaska; my parents and a few of my friends have gone on a cruise there and they said it’s really beautiful, and I’m sure Alaskans are very nice people. But, McCain, haven’t you been criticizing Obama for his lack of experience, and you selected this woman with even less experience than Obama as your running mate? I mean, SERIOUSLY?! 

That woman was the beginning of the end for McCain. Yes, everyone was excited, a female running mate! We’ve seen the excitement from Hillary’s campaigns and women voters are the key to the presidency! But, really? He’s like 72 years old, and I’m sure he’s in good health to be able to campaign vigorously at his age, but should he become president, his plan B is this woman. Seriously? 

And I don’t understand McCain’s ad campaigns. I mean, I haven’t seen them all, again, I only know what I know thanks to CNN, but what I’ve seen are not very inspiring. What’s there to inspire when he just kept attacking Obama? Obama is promising change, McCain is just attacking his background, his middle name, and the list goes on. In a diverse society like America, is it really wise to criticize all these things? Didn’t you think, McCain, that your undecided voters may have one or more similar backgrounds as Obama’s? 

And then, THAT interview happened. I think a fifth grader can do better than Sarah Palin when asked the same questions. I couldn’t even bear to watch it because I felt to embarrassed for Palin. OK I admit I wasn’t doing any better than she did; I didn’t know what the Bush Doctrine was prior to the interview, but as a Republican Governor of Alaska, and as John McCain’s running mate, shouldn’t you have some inkling of an idea? 

As if the interview wasn’t bad enough, the Canadians decided to prank call her. The fake Sarkozky asked if she would run for presidency in 2012, and she GIGGLED. OK, you’re pretty cute Sarah Palin, but when you talk to another head of state from a country that doesn’t think much of your own country, you ought to have some sort of professionalism. Seriously, where did this woman come from?

And I hate how she puts herself as the model of working mom, that she would be your friend in the White House. Girl, Michele Obama is a working mom, Hillary Clinton is a working mom, MY mom and sisters are working moms. Don’t put yourself on a pedestal like that to get our sympathy. I honestly take that as an insult; just because you share the hardship of being a working mom does not make you any better than any working moms out there, and it offends that you’re using this angle to impress the women voters. You want to score points with the working moms? Make sure that when they take their kids to the hospital, they won’t be turned away or be burdened by thousands of dollars in medical bills. Make sure their kids don’t have to be deep in debts in their effort to get a college degree. Make sure the job market and the economy is healthy so that they can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their kids would have better future and better lives. If there are really wars to be fought, make sure the soldiers are equipped properly and safely so they can come home alive and well to their mothers. When you’ve done all this, Sarah Palin, you can crown yourself The Working Mom of All Working Moms.

I just don’t get it. I mean, this should have been one of the most exciting campaigns ever! And in his concession speech, he was thanking everyone for job well done, for all the efforts put in, etc, etc. If I were McCain, I’d be like this is a shit campaign! Who the hell let me select Palin? Why the hell did anyone convince me she would be a good running mate? Why didn’t any of MY advisors give her any coaching before the Couric interview? Obama has over 2 million people on his Facebook, why do I have only 600 thousands? Why didn’t anyone teach me all this techy stuff to connect with the young voters? How come Obama has all those cool celebrities endorsing him, and I only have Arnold? Can’t you people find me some cool athletes and the Republican equivalent of Oprah?

It’s not that I wanted McCain to win, but I just thought there’s more to McCain than what we’ve seen. Well, I guess after what happened to Al Gore in 2000, it’s the Republican’s turn. Yeah, we kinda feel bad about Florida and all, so we’ll screw up this campaign to make up for it, and leave some good materials for the SNL people to do their skits. 

Oh McCain, it’s really sad that we saw the man that we know you are capable of being during that concession speech. I’m sure Obama would’ve won regardless the campaign McCain was running, but man, to bow out with such an embarrassing running mate and aimless presidential campaign? 

The best man did win. And it’s about time change arrives in America. Yay Obama!

Extra Fee for Extra Leg Space

Singapore Airlines announced that it will start charging US$50/ way for passenger choosing to sit on emergency exit seats for the extra leg space. I understand that some passengers specifically request for seats there for this extra room, and I even know a number of people who have to have these seats because they are freakishly tall (6′3″ and taller).

But I wonder, is it fair to charge this extra $50? I mean, with the taxes and fuel surcharges that add up to even more than the air ticket price itself, and with the current economic crisis, is it fair, really?

I can swallow extra charges for more air marshals in planes, better foods served during flights, better in-flight entertainment, etc. But extra leg space? It seems to me that SIA is taking advantage of this situation to make more money. I’m just surprised that SIA dared to put a fee for this. I mean, they are one of the best airlines in the world, and they are risking their reputation for providing the best customer service by charging for extra leg space on a row that is required to be wider than others? 

I remember when one of the US airlines announced that the whole economic class cabin was to have extra leg space. The rows were made to be wider, giving everyone in economic class, whether sitting on the emergency seats or not, more leg room. I cannot remember if this particular airline increased their airfares- in the spirit of capitalism I’m sure they did- but I don’t mind paying extra because I know everyone is enjoying the same benefit.

I guess you can say that the benefit of this extra leg space in SIA flights would be enjoyed only by those who are willing to pay for it. So I guess in a way, it’s pretty fair. The extra charge would free up these emergency row seats to those who really need them, and the freakishly tall people can battle it out without us normal height people spoiling the market. 

I can’t help but wonder however if we normal height people would have to fork up more money for some other ‘privileges’ during a flight. Those sitting on window seats would have to pay an extra $50 for the view of the fluffy clouds. Those sitting on aisle seats would have to pay an extra $50 for easier access to the toilets. The possibility to generate more revenues are endless.

I guess during a financially hard time like this, anything is chargeable.

The Redundancy of Wisdom Teeth

The mandibular third molars, better known as wisdom teeth, grow in most people between the age 17-25, an age range deemed old enough to garner some wisdom. In fact, these teeth could be of valuable assets when they grow out properly.

I beg to differ.

These damn teeth have given me nothing but misery. I cried myself to sleep for the whole week during my junior year in college because my left wisdom tooth was growing slanted and pushing the tooth next to it, hence causing unbelievable pain that not even the strongest pain killer could help me bear. The process of extracting it was so painful, regardless the anesthetic, and the after math of the extraction was even worse. It was pure torture.

And of course, five years later, I had to go through the same thing. My dentist this time had a bit more finesse, but the pain, the swelling, the soreness, they’re all the same. And now, even after my stitches have been removed, after taking painkillers, my mouth is still not the same. I am still tortured.

Why on earth do we still need wisdom teeth? Are they going to help us chew better? Well, I was doing fine before they came out. My dental bridge is supported well enough, I don’t see how these four extra teeth would help in anyway. And I don’t have any missing molars that I’d need my wisdom teeth to come in as replacements. Even if a molar was missing, there’s such a thing as artificial teeth these days. So why hasn’t evolution kicked in and gotten rid of these damn things altogether? Maybe Sarah Palin is right after all…

Seriously though, why do we still need wisdom teeth? They don’t give us anymore wisdom, they do nothing, they provide nothing, even their benefits… they’re redundant. These 4 teeth are redundant. Our existing teeth are fine without them; they don’t need anymore help in chewing. 

So now, with an ice pack pressed tightly to my right cheek, hoping in some way it would reduce the swelling, I feel a series of throbbing pain in my gum, although I have had my stitches removed, stitches that were irritating my gum and my cheek, so much so that I developed TWO ulcers. Even now, without the stitches, I still feel this empty space that has been sown and closed up pulling in whenever I swallow. I fear it’s going to open up and ooze blood till I pass out.

I’m not being dramatic, but seriously, I am in a lot of pain. So I beg you evolution, please, pretty please, just stop these mandibular third molars from torturing us. Just eliminate them. Please.

A Pilgrimage

My long-awaited European trip is finally here. I have packed my bag (no doubt I will unpack and re-pack it because I just feel like it), I have listed down all the must-see sights in Italy, and I have brushed up on my limited Italian so that I can be seen as less of a tourist and more as someone who is genuinely interested in the country and its culture.

I can’t help but feel that this trip is coming at the right time. Some of you know that I have left my job, I have left that crazy boss of mine to deal with all th BS on her own, and I cannot be happier mentally. On the other hand, I am having this ultimate quarter life crisis where I am completely lost as to what to do for the rest of my life. I thought I did know, but when I tried to pursue things that I thought were meant for me, some barriers showed themselves up and I did not know what to do but run away from them.

I need this trip to Europe, and to spend a week or so in Italy on my own so that I can just be alone among strangers and find out who I need to be, and who I want to be. I certainly hope that among the Renaissance masterpieces I will be able to figure some things out and be inspired by the genius of these Italian maestros.

In a way, I feel like Santiago selling his sheep to make the cross to Africa, to pursue something that is so unclear and yet the certainty that the journey will change my life is there. I cannot be anymore intimidated and excited. See you in three weeks’ time.

God Does Have a Sense of Humor

For those who know me well, you are aware of the constant logical and spiritual battle I have with the Catholic Church. I am also not shy in expressing my disagreement with the Catholic dogma, and my disapproval of the Church trying to tell us how to live our lives when historically our Popes did not even live the so-called Catholic life. You only have to open history books on Europe in the middle ages to see how many illegitimate children and lovers the leaders of the Catholic Church had. Birth control indeed!

Having said that, I think God has clearly seen and heard my disapproval and decided to give me something to think about. First, I got robbed 300 bucks for medication. Second, during the course of this medication(3 months), I cannot drink alcohol. Call me a hypocrite, but I will use my Catholic status to say this: How am I, a Catholic, supposed to survive 3 months without alcohol? Those Protestants are going to outdrink me!

Can you imagine, 3 months with no alcohol? I’m bad enough in never finishing any anti-biotics prescribed to me. Now I have to take 2 pills, twice a day, and because of these damn pills I’ll be alcohol-deprived! I can’t even remember the period in my life before alcohol came in. How will I survive?

Before anyone suggests me going to an Alcoholic Anonymous,  really, I am not an alcoholic. I just like alcohol but I’m not dependent on it, though this post may seem to contradict that. I think dinner is made extra special with a little bit of wine, and I think conversations with friends are more fun with beer around, especially if said friends are shy and inhibited and can only let loose with some alcohol in their system. Don’t worry, I won’t be saying any names here.

Now, I can be a completely naughty patient and still drink alcohol during the 3 months, but I really don’t want to put my liver in jeopardy. 3 months is nothing than the rest of my life, right? However, I will delay the start of the medication until I return from Europe. God may have made me walk into this trap, but I will not deprive myself of the Italian wines!