That’s the beauty of…

Professors are an interesting bunch of people. I’ve had couple of male college professors who always appended the word ‘beauty’ whenever they are justifying the intricacies of their topic.

One was a math professor, and he would say “that’s the beauty of mathematics”, after parading before us a dizzing equation of Algebra. It was peculiar to find beauty in a mathematical equation, let alone consider it beautiful.

Another was a criminal law professor, and he really was a lawyer. He would say “that’s the beauty of criminal law”. Oh how clinical! If anything it was thought provoking, but not at all beautiful. He would say that smugly after a nice debate, where of course, he would win against any student whom he debated against. I wasn’t spared from the debates, particularly because I thouroughly enjoyed it, but not the ‘beauty’ part.

These professors must be very obsessed with their subjects to consider it beautiful. They devoted all their thinking years in developing and mastering Xs and Ys and sections and articles. Maybe even bring the subject with them in their sleep. And so the concept of beauty has been distorted.

Mathematics could have been resplendent, though synonymous, at least it doesn’t sound pretty. Criminal law could have been perfect.

Humanities can be appropriately beautiful, or Sociology, even Economics. But Math and Criminal Law!

For one, Math is strictly mundane, much like Physics, and Criminal Law is, austere, would very often remind me of Victorian spinsters and shrewd fiscal. Now that’s not beautiful!

Shutting out the world with Skull Candy

Having an earphone stuck in your lobes is tantamount to shutting the world and the rest of humanity.

I use my Zen Neeon11 as shield when (1) I don’t feel like talking, (2) I have nothing to say, and (3) I don’t want that person to talk to me. Plainly, I stick my earphones in a hostile environment; whether I make it hostile for others or vice versa.

Inversely, I take off my earphones and shut my player when I am surrounded by friends. Ronald and I consider it ethical and respectful to do so, to people we like, and justifiable to do so, to people we don’t like.

It is similar to, “I can only give you one-eightth of my attention, which I feel is too much” or “Everything you say may have a life-changing effect on me, bring it on!”

Which brings me to wonder how some can endure a full conversation with a loved one, a family member or a best friend with earphones on at blaring volume?

‘boredom opens channels for creativity’

They say, ‘necessity is the mother of invention’, I dare say, ‘boredom opens channels for creativity’.

If I weren’t so unhappy and discontent with my present occupation, especially three months ago, I wouldn’t have started blogging. This activity exercised my brain muscles to such extent that I feel reconnected to my circle of writer friends.

When I was in CBTL, I was not exactly linguistically creative, and I did not feel the need to amuse myself. My barista stint provided me with enough entertainment and thrill.

But I wasn’t altogether brainless; I was even results-oriented, organized, headstrong and precise.

I get a lot of positive comments about my writing. Of all the positive comments I get these days, those about my blogging and writing do not embarrass me. Everything else, especially about my weight, make me twitch.

“fulfillment comes when one takes up space and makes the occupation worthwhile”

For a little while, I ceased listing hip and reputable food and beverage establishments to apply to. But today, as I mulled over my inconvenient schedule which has put me in the most oppressed state, I can not help but feel powerless.

My job makes me feel like I am being paid to do nothing. For some people, money is everything. OKay, why did I say that? Of course, money is everything!

However cheesy it is, fulfillment comes when one takes up space and makes the occupation worthwhile. Brilliant! That phrase was not copied from anyone so I am making this quote copyrighted.

Given my self coined adage, I don’t feel like I am taking up space. Just a space on the payroll system or store plantilla. But I don’t feel important, I feel dispensable, that operations can run smoothly without me. And no one likes to feel unimportant, no matter how we cram over duties that seem to spill over our little hands.

I need a new job that will keep my hands full. I am not fulfilled, I may be earning more but I am not growing. The space I’ve taken up is like a huge drum and I am tiny object inside it. I don’t have pride in what I do because none of it is cerebral. None of it has made a mark of me or will ever leave a legacy.

Chockful of quirks

A few days ago, I joined Ronald take his break and we discussed our online endeavors. I was absorbed and passionate about how I want to read like, because I really have a goal doing this.

He told me, I sound like my old cerebral self, before I became engrossed with money-making, before I was a barista, before I lost weight, and before I have been conveniently labeled as a fashionista by people who don’t know me better.

It was extremely inspiring to hear that I talk like I used to five years ago. I still think like that, I am still insightful, and profound, I know I haven’t lost touch with my poetic intelligent brain.

But I have been grounded by common culture. My lilting mind has to take a back seat to allow myself to be part of a bigger community. Because it will be difficult to lead, if I insist to be different.

Several of my like-minded friends have probably counted me out of the “cerebral circle” because of my present circumstances.

My superficiality is only superficial. I look shallow because that’s how most pretty dressed-up girls are perceived.

I’m still the same fat girl with her pen and paper, only thinner and prettier.

Peanut thoughts

On my way home I opened a pack of Tobi’s Dry roasted peanuts which I bought from the supermarket. As I consumed all of the measly 50 grams, I thought it would not suffice to entertain me for the rest of the ride.

The nutrition information indicated that the serving size is 29 grams. Whoa! So I have been overeating by twice the amount, when it didn’t fill me much.

I also thought about the mythical nutritional benefits of peanuts; that it increases intellectual capacity. If I remember correctly from my high school botany class, peanuts are legumes and legumes are rich in nitrogen. Legumes are like beans. Ergo, nitrogen increases intellectual capacity. I just put in the bean theory but it doesn’t weigh anything.

Okay, I’m not really sure, It’s just from off the top of my head. The chemical could be nitrogen or something else that starts with “N”. Or the plant family could be legumes or root crops.

All the same, I now realize the relevance of basic science subjects. Had I paid more attention, or understood enough, I wouldn’t be unsure of my peanut theories.

Microfiber cotton gift ideas

Most people my age whom I know have at least a dozen godchildren. I only have 2, the latest being just today. Now I begin to wonder, am I unlikeable and do I appear unhelpful?

I’m not advertising for more godchildren, I’m content with two girlies to give gifts to every year.

Maybe I have less godchildren because my friends aren’t parents yet; I mean my very close friends who will probably entrust me with the lives of their children, if anything. The numbers will probably rise in 2 years; maybe at the same time I decide to have kids of my own. As they say, birds of a feather flock together.

For my latest goddaughter’s christening, I bought three sets of microfiber cotton towels. I’m a lousy gift-giver when on a tight budget. But I paid extra attention to the gift wrapping, I did it myself.

I actually love buying and wrapping gifts, and believe that I can do better than the people who get paid to do it. It is more heartfelt to finish the gift-giving exercise down to the ribbon and gift tag. Some people are lazy, they demand for a nice carrier bag because it’s meant as a gift. That’s very lousy, lousier than my microfiber cotton gift ideas.

By the way, it’s genuine soft cotton.

My “Y” coach

This dress makes me look dainty and pregnant. Once, Ronald and I used this to our advantage; on a Wednesday rush hour he told the MRT guard that I am pregnant so we can take the Y coach.

I coined the female coach as “Y” coach because of, I hope it’s obvious, the x and y chromosomes. When I first used the term on Ronald, he didn’t get it, then said brilliant. So that makes it one of my originals.

I wish I could copyright this one.  I also wish I could put all of my ideas in a glass, so no one could steal it.

When something is said, it becomes public and can be repeatedly used by anyone. Unless you have it registered at the Intellectual Property Rights Office, which I doubt can be done. Maybe if you’re a professor or someone of a famous intellectual stature, then, they may agree to copyright your words.

Pink pomelos

A minor day-long disagreement with Ronald caused me to buy a kilo of peeled pomelos from the supermarket. I decided to include this in my organic diet since I’ve been discounting fruits; it’s awfully inconvenient to eat unprepared fruit. Fructose is terrific for leveling the serotonin, three bites later I was smiling all the way home.