Passion

This is gonna take long so bring a pop corn. Me, I brought my sushi. 

"just look how effing happy that sushi is"

How do we personally define passion? For me, it is something we love to the extremes. Well, I don't really have a strong desire for something. I'm a neutral person. Always in between. I love everything I see. Let me elaborate some.

LOVE FOR THE ART WHOSE MEDIUM IS SOUND AND SILENCE

They say, "music is the medicine of the mind". Darn right they are. I can't live without music. From taking a bath or before going to sleep, I listen to music. Music lets me help to set my mood. It inspires me to keep on moving. More or like, music motivates me. Sometimes, music is my escape goat from reality.

I do not listen to mainstream music or a specific kind of genre. I almost listen to all genres. I once stumbled upon this post on 9gag.com. They classified types of listeners from level 1-6. Level 1 is labelled "normal pleb" which listens to pop, country, jazz, rnb, rock, and rap genres. Level 2 as an "outsider" that listens to alternative, new school EDM, indie rock, metal, classic rock, post-hardcore, and dubstep genres. Level 3 as "weird" that listens to post-punk, screamo, extreme metal, post-rock, folk, and prog genres. Okay, let's just stop there. According to my own evaluation, I am on level 3 already. Most of the artist I listen to is not known by commoners. Only few recognize them. Here are some of the artists I listen to (if you are also a music enthusiast, I prefer you listen to these artists): 

Post-hardcore: Sleeping with sirens;

RnB: Chris Rene; 

Pop: Sara Bareilles; 

Indie Rock: Eric Hutchinson; 

Folk: Marit Larsen; 

Punk: We the Kings.

Well I've tried my best to select the artist that will fit for mainstream listeners. Oh, and by the way, I also listen to movie scores, soundtracks, Jpop, Jrock, Indian, Kpop, and other weird shits.

LOVE FOR FURRY CREATURES

Well, as stated in my profile, I like dogs. That potato is another story. I grew in a family of animal-lovers. Oh wait, let me rephrase that, I fucking LOVE dogs, because liking is different from loving, you know, the intensity is different. I also can't live without dogs. I came to this point that whenever I see a film with dogs in it (especially if dogs die in movies, god I hate em) I cry.

"Effing ninjas slicing onions in front of me."

Let me introduce my two babies:

This one is Cholo. 

He is a medium-sized dog. He is a quarter of Siberian huskie. He is two years of age. He loves to run around and play ball. He dislikes poultry processed dog foods, he likes the canned one. His favorite snack is nissin's eggnog. He knows simple tricks like sit, don't eat, and when I talk to him, he answers back by whining or barking. He is my very first dog. He was given to me by my best friend. I really love him because whenever I need him, he's always around. One time, while I was sleeping, I woke up and found him sleeping beside my bed, then I go back to sleep. After several hours, he was still there, not leaving my side. Even though he's a family dog, he knew who is his original master. So beware, he's not that friendly.

On the other had, this one is Pork. 

She is a 6-month old beagle. She eats anything but she's allergic to poultry processed dog foods. So she eat the canned ones also. She loves cookies and dog treats. She loves running around especially when bed time. She pushes me to my limit. She also loves tug of war. She picks up and destroys everything she finds around the house. She's very energetic and I love her a lot for that (of course Cholo is also energetic, but of course, when you have two dogs, one dog will become 'mature' for the other dog. A little doggy dog thing that I kind of understand because yes, I am also a dog). But recently, she became sickly. Suffering from I don't know, maybe amoebiasis. She poops blood and vomits. She became so thin, I was crying when I brought her to the vet. Good thing she is okay now.

These are the things we should not forget when having a dog:
10 Commandments for Dogs
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years, any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you buy me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want from me, don't be impatient, short-tempered, or irritable.
3. Place your trust in me and I will always trust you back. Respect is earned not given as an inalieable right.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment, I am not capable of understanding why? I only know I have been rejected, you have your work entertainment and friends I only have you.
5. Talk to me sometimes, even if I don't understand your words I understand your voice and your tone, "you only have to look at my tail".
6. Be aware that however you treat me I'll never forget it, and if it's cruel it may affect me forever.
7. Please don't hit me I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch and I really don't ever want to do that.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak, I may be just dog tired.
9. Take care of me when I get old. You too will grow old and may also need love, care, comfort, and attention.
10. Go with me on difficult journeys, never say, "I can't bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, irrespective of what you do I will always love you.
-- Stan Rawlinson, www.doglistener.co.uk 

Dogs truly are man's best friend. They always put a smile on their faces while staring at your weird face.

LOVE FOR AESTHETICS, THE PHILOSOPHY OF ART

Name them: ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, modern visual arts (photography, video, and film making), architecture, industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design and decorative art. Who wouldn't love these kinds of things? This brings color and meaning to our world (I feel sorry for those who are color blind). I can't find the words to express my love for visual arts. As Giacomo Puccini  said "Art is a kind of illness." , I can't argue with that.  All I can say is, I love visual arts, that's why I'm here, taking this course.

I'm not really good at drawing, concepts and layout. I just have the proper motivation and self esteem. But I work my arse off to improve myself. I don't have a consistent style. I'm kind of flexible. My style will depend upon what the art would be about.

"Take note, I did not drew that, my friend did, my part was the coloring thing."

"This one is my work. See? I love cute stuffs. I'm not into that kind of hardcore drawings. This one is in the style of Pendelton Ward's Adventure Time!"

"I also like chibis and fan arts"

Although coloring is my strength, I do not admit that I am good, because I know there is someone a lot better than me. I am still in the process of learning.

LOVE FOR THE ART OF PREPARING AND COOKING FOODS

"The way to a man's heart is through his stomach", they said. I had been practicing through these years. And finally, I have need not to worry on marriage life. I'm just kidding. I am not preparing for anything. I just love cooking. You see, there is also art in cooking, the way you compliment the food colors, the arrangement, the proper garnishing ingredient, etc. 

"Tamago Sushi is so easy to make. That green thing is called a wasabi. I use shouyu for dipping."

"This is a basic california maki. This contains mango, cucumber and artificial crab sticks."

Appetizers and main dishes are my favorite cuisines. I love cooking so therefore, I love eating.

LOVE FOR OMNOMNOMING

Seems like my love for cooking is connected to my love for eating. I usually spend my time eating. Not that kind of eating everything and getting fat. I am health conscious. I eat because I want to taste different kinds of food. I love learning other people's culture through food. Although I love eating, nature is so kind to me, I am allergic to sea foods and I don't eat pork because of religious perspective.

LOVE FOR PERFORMING ARTS

When we say performing arts, why does one only think about stage plays? How shallow can they be? This is a common misconception. When we say performing arts, it includes dance, music, opera, theatre, magic, spoken word, circus arts, and musical theatre. The artist who joins performing arts are called performers.

During high school, I joined a workshop called BITAW - Basic Integrated Theatre Atrs Workshop. This triggered my interest in stage and musical play, dancing, theatre, and acting. The workshop lasted for three days. There, we learned about stage directing, ballroom dancing, bonds and friendship, discipline, etc. After the workshop, I learned how to dance freestyle - hip hop dancing. The pop and locking one, not the break dancing stuff, but I know only one break dance, the baby freeze.

"Yes that's me preparing for the baby freeze. I wasn't even ready yet. I hate stolen shots."

I stopped dancing at year 2008. That's the time I became sickly. I guess we all need exercise. I still know few tricks like moon walk, charlie walk, downrock, toprock, some footwork, some drops, and floor rocks - side glide. I still need practice to do that.

Back when I was a kindergarten, the first musical instrument I learned was the piano. I didn't enrolled in any tutorial class. I listened and hit the right notes or what we locally say "kapa." When I reached elementary, I joined the drum and bugle corps of our school (it's because I love performing arts). There, I learned to play the melodeon and the lyre. We joined inter-school competitions and performed in front of live audiences. I had been doing these for four consecutive years. Then graduation came. When I entered high school, I shifted to a more freestyle kind of performance. Here, I learned how to play the guitar and the drums. I joined bands, competitions, and performed for a live audience using this new-learned percussion instrument. After that, learning another instrument was easy. I also get to play the harmonica. It only takes time, practice, and effort. 

"as the norm said, no pic no proof"

"Here is a bonus video of our performance, we are called the 'on the spot band'. We performed a song by Beat Crusaders entitled Hit In The USA during the Impersonata 2011 - a cosplay competition organized by the Bicol University, College of Science. I am deeply sorry for the crappy quality and the low performance because as what our band name is, we didn't practice, that's why we're called on the spot band."

To this day, I still bring a piece of something I had learned from past experiences. I really don't believe in talent (except for singing). For me, one can learn a skill by perseverance and hard work. 

LOVE FOR LITERARY WORKS

I used to love reading R.L. Stine's Goosebumps. Why 'used to'? Uh, it's because it's for kids. People's preference change. Give me a break. But I still love reading, especially mangas and internet craps. My love for literary works is somehow connected to my love for music and performing arts. You see, when I was a kid, I used to make comics without a plot. I just draw what I can think about then add some captions or dialogues. Yes, I suck before. But with what I call guts, I had leveled up. Before, I hadn't had any sense of humor nor a plan. Now, I still don't have. Meh. I'm just messing around. When I want to write a story, I first write the summary, then proceed with the preface, some boring parts, the climax, then the epilouge. See? I'm much better now. Oh, and I also write lyrical poems, but I don't really sing. When god gave the talent for singing, I was asleep.

LOVE FOR TECHNOLOGY

In general, when we say technology, we refer to the physical aspect of technology. What I'm trying to imply is, I love the innovation of things from the past decades. As a person who has a degree in Computer Science, we tend to love technology. Our career's description is "problem solving." We love to innovate and provide solutions for everyday use.

Admit it, we can't live without technology nowadays. We consider our smart phones as a part of our body. For me, I believe it is a distraction. Yes, it brings us closer together but people abuse it.

I also love playing video games - play station franchise, windows, and mobile platforms. But I am not that addicted to video games - others consider it as a vice. Technology is good, but when you abuse it, watch out for its comeback.

IMPARTING SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE OR COMPREHENSION TO OTHERS

I don't really know but I think this runs in our blood: teaching. My grandmother was a principal, has a doctorate degree in philosophy. My mom is a nurse and she has a part-time job - a clinical instructor - that needs the skills of a master of arts in nursing. My cousin is parting in environmental issues and sometimes a guest speaker for basic accounting which is held in rural areas that needs education. And me, I have been teaching adobe and macromedia flash for the past 2 years. I feel happy when someone learns something from me.

"That's me telling lies to students. lol"

KITEL AS A PHILANTHROPIST

At first, I didn't care for humans at all, I only care for dogs. Until year 2010 came. I had a slot for the Divine Word College of Legazpi's Student Council - College Student Executive Board. We rendered services to the needy. I found another reason to be thankful and to be contented with life. There was this one time when we had a retreat. We were asked to position ourselves in a portion of our retreat called 'where are you now?' The stage on 'you are contented with your life and you accept death anytime' caught my eye. Then, I was the only one who was standing in that stage. I found pity on my batch mates. I can't seem to find why they are unhappy with their lives. Well, I don't really care about on what they think, I only care about on sharing my blessings to the deserving ones.

"This was taken when we - the student council - conducted an outreach program for the SPED class."

"Our dear adviser - may she rest in peace (The one in the middle). From left to right, The President, External Vice-President, Our Adviser, Me - Secretary, and Public Information Officer. "

"Me and my Co-officers joined an international convention for youth and humanitarian advocacy which was held in Pasay City, NCR."

"The persons we met during the convention - some La Sallean friends and some senators."

FETISH FOR RANDOM STUFFS

My very first collection were caps. But, when someone borrowed my caps, the fairy took it and it was never found again. So, I shifted to collecting rubber shoes. 

"This is only part of my shoe collection."

This fetish grew and grew. I had this obsession with anime, so I started collecting stuffs from my favorite animes.

"Some action figures"

"Some key chains and lanyards"

"Some pins"

"And some more action figures."

Oh, and I can't really call this a collection but I have some musical instruments, so I think it still qualifies as one.

HUNGER FOR KNOWLEDGE

I just love internet craps. Period. During free time, I read anything I find in the internet. Or, without internet, I pick up a book and just, you know, read.