Whoever said that being a writer is easy has never undergone the blade of an editor and the frostbite of inspiration.

There is more than meets the eye when you make writing a profession. Common peeves like worrying about the rules of grammar and the express yourself principle are just two. That’s not even half of it.

I’m still a student — A mere undergraduate. And my life as a student journalist is diligence and rejection personified.

Diligence
Diligence is your earnest efforts to achieve your goal. It also means sacrificing movie marathon night to finish an article due Tuesday for your professor. From chasing people around just to get a statement, up to reading your stylebook over and over again to avoid mistakes, the situations are boundless. And the worst on my list, waking up early even if it is already a rest day.

Giving up my leisure time doesn’t feel like a sacrifice. Writing is never a chore if you’re in love with it. And when you’re in love, time flies when you spend time together.

But the waking up early part? Well, I’m working on it.

Rejection
Meanwhile, rejection is where you are lucky enough that from your 10 paragraph article, 2 are still standing tall. The rest all went down the drain.

When the editor has too much of cold blood in his veins, he will mercilessly slaughter your write-up, cutting it down, piece by piece until it gets its right shape. When you get it back, you hardly recognize it. This process, as coined by Filipino writers, the pagkakatay.

And that’s just one form of rejection. I applaud you if this is only what you got.

What if you, yourself, got rejected just because the editor thinks you couldn’t make the cut. Worse, all the editor did was just stole one glance from you and thought, “I don’t like you.”

But never fear! One editor can never dictate if you could write or not, especially if it only took one look.

Now what?
As a writer, obstacles in the form of deadlines, evil editors, difficult topics and colleagues will block your way. These may discourage you from striding towards your goal.

Your weapons aside from the mighty pen, or laptop if you prefer typing, are your willpower and optimism. Fight the battles for a better you.

Don’t curse these obstacles just yet, for they serve as your training grounds, in order to be strong, not only in your profession and skills, but as well as to develop the heart.

At the end of the day, think about the readers whose lives you have touched with your words of the news, inspiration and other whatnot. It could have made their day. Better, it already changed their lives.

This life is difficult — but indeed, fulfilling.

Aencille A. Santos, 18, Centro Escolar University - Manila, AB Journalism, Resident weirdo, http://chelli.toffeenut.org

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PS: I just submitted this at Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Youngblood column. I don’t care whether it gets published or not. All I care about is that I got to express myself. (At nagparinig na rin ako konti.)

Honesty — a noun. It pertains to truthfulness, sincerity or frankness.

This word is often related to admitting to a wrong act. Like the famous George Washington.

Despite the risk of getting in trouble, he dare admit to his father that he cut down the cherry tree. Surprised enough, little George wasn’t scolded. In fact, he was praised by his father for the honesty he showed.

Most of the time, this is how we relate honesty to. But as a know-it-all, I think that there are different forms of honesty.

1. The Honesty of Surrender. The common perception of honesty. It is where you wave the white flag and surrender by admitting an error and accepts the punishment laid down before you.
2. The Honesty of the Wounded. This may be a topic of debate among you, my dear readers. People tend to keep their hurt emotions inside, despite the need to tell someone about it. To make it clear, let’s imagine a boy and a girl who are good friends.

   The boy constantly raps the girl’s drawings. Once, his critique went overboard, he thus hurt the girl. Despite her grief, she instead chose to keep quiet, in order not to hurt the feelings of her friend.

   This is a lack of honesty, even when the times demand it. Truth sets people free, no matter how it hurts.

3. The Honesty of the Safe. The sister of The Honesty of the Wounded. The difference is, people tend to soften and sugarcoat too much, that the edge of the message is now blunt.

   The difference of being nice and being too safe is wide. Being nice is carefully describing; Being too safe is being plastic.

Dear readers, again, honesty often goes a long way. Communication is key.

It all comes down to where honesty will exist. At the right place. At the right time.

‘Til then, my dear readers.

チェリ

This blog is now filled with ideas. I’m removing the identity of this being some diary about what I ate for breakfast and how my exam went. I’m not Britney, and not even worth stalking.

I have nothing against diary style blogs because I began there also. Saying that diary style blogs suck is just being a hypocrite.

And may I remind you that this is only an opinion of a mere speck in the universe, thus shall not be taken seriously and shower me with flames. If understood, read on.

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Man is selfish by nature.

This statement is often said in Philosophy.

Man is selfish, not because he is evil but it is his nature. Man’s nature is to survive. In order to survive, he finds ways to satisfy his needs.

I think that man is selfish in one way or another. It can be physical, emotional and others that can be a form of selfishness. It can be anything that gratifies what is lacking him.

In Real Life
Dear reader, every once in a while, you may feel that humans around you may act selfish for a time. Trying to deal with these creatures will take time, yet they get harder and harder everytime.

Needs are natural. Accomodating these needs are natural. However, if it is getting out of hand, it’s not natural anymore.

Remember dear reader, you are human with your own form of selfishness. If you’ll reason that you live to satisfy others’ needs, good for you darling. But if you’ve had enough of the creatures’ savagery, tell them honestly.

You are also a creature of this land, however, the skill to communicate properly is what makes you a homo sapien. Others may seem fierce, however they are trained to listen.

Honesty often goes a long way.

Well, I’m done playing Ms. Philosopher/Psychologist/Journalist to you. Good luck to me and to you dear readers. ‘Til next time.

チェリ

After weighing the benefits and consequences of this gamble, I finally decided to open up an online store for my T-Shirt business! *claps*

What made me push through this business isn’t solely based on financial reasons. There are far better reasons why I decided to make this possible.

It’s about the passion to create something out of paints and brushes. I feel great whenever I see my works being worn or giving it to anyone who wants it. I never get to keep any painting or drawing I made because someone always asks to have it — yet it is my joy to let others have it.

I just consider taking advantage of the financial opportunities. It’s not like I’m going to give up schooling and pursue this! I do this not because I need to, but because I WANT to. But I wouldn’t mind if I would become a business tycoon in this line. Wish me luck on this one.

Oh and if you have the time, why not browse around? I only have one set of designs yet, but there are more to come so why not add me in your contacts in Multiply so you’ll be updated? Thanks!

WARNING: COVER SONG!

YAY! New Cover Song — and it’s on video! Weeee! Now Moo has something more to laugh at!

Pool Parteeh~ WOOT!

Yesterday was my close friend’s birthday and, together with my High School friends, we went swimming in a private pool near us. Wu-hoo! I couldn’t properly remember the last part since I was too drunk that my brain isn’t working well.

I couldn’t remember the details but all I remember was my X was there and we were actually talking. Usually, I wouldn’t be talking to him because I don’t want to. And I was surprised with myself that I talked to him. NO, I’m not bitter. Okay, maybe a little bit.
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Well, aren’t you surprised that I made an entry this soon? I told you, when I have time to burn, I will just keep on posting and posting here! I divided this post into dates so if you’re too much of a lazy ass to read (like me), then skip on to something that’ll interest you.

October 27, 2009
The creative bug just bit me and I printed two shirts for friends. Though, I will only be showing one since I made one for Kim and she is constantly lurking about my blog. Sorry Kim, you’ll just have to wait!

Anyway, this one’s for another friend since it’s gonna be her birthday on the 2nd. It’s supposed to be a surprise. I only told her I’m cultivating something for her. I believe she won’t be dropping by here anytime soon, so here it is!

It still has to undergo washing just to make sure the paint is intact and won’t wear off, but practically, it’s 95% finished. I used textile paint, textile pen, sticker paper and a lot of handwork and skill. I think I should stick to this because silkscreen method is just a pain in the ass and printing machines are way too expensive.

Do you think I should make a business out of this hobby?

October 28, 2009
A while ago, my bandmates and I attempted to play That’s What You Get by Paramore. It isn’t too shabby, but it still lacks a lot. After the usual serious practicing, we just can’t help but fool around the studio.

No pics but just my favorite clip for today! My friends and I decided to switch instruments just for a whole lot of messing around.

I’m playing the drums here! Pardon me, I can only do the basic beat.
I’m not good, mind you. Hell, I SUCK! But it’s fun.

And I’m gonna share a cover song by me. If you don’t want your ears to bleed, don’t go for this one. I already gave you the benefit of not including my picture in the vid.

And lastly, I finally saw my grades and thank God I didn’t die. I’m quite disappointed with myself with what I got in Political Science. But, I have to just be thankful that I didn’t fail. Our professor is certainly hard to please, but I’m not hating the Constitution. In fact, I’m loving it. I’ll follow up the grades later.

Okay, that’s all for today! If you’d like to skip the rant part, go ahead. If you like snooping around with my life’s failures, go ahead!

PS: Okaerinasai, Moo! Welcome home!

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