Recently, I've been on this thorough thinking and self-pinching on whether or not what's happening in my life is real. I have just passed my last course units for college and have just confirmed that I really am cleared of deficiencies whatsoever. So.. you are now currently reading the blog of a BS Geography graduate from the University of the Philippines *cue confetti and wooh-ing*. Anyway, while my thoughts mostly contains of what's next? I also managed to evaluate myself based on the experiences that I have undergone the past four years; and on the verge of tearing up (I deserve this moment!) I have come to realize several things I've learned and have come to live through with.. and because I feel so inspiring, (I really want to say inspired, but..) Here's a list of the things I learned in life so far!

Yes, more than the 'Do What You Love' cliche. Thing is, life's road doesn't exactly lead us to where we want to be. I entered college as a Communication major, and I sure wanted to keep it that way. In fact, even up to this day I still think of what my life could've been had I waited for my transfer results longer and had I not immediately submitted my papers in the department of Geography. I remember a week of tearing up almost every night because I was very certain there was no way I could pull off being a Geography major.

Because there is nothing else I could do at the time, I just sucked it all up- nah! I spent my days looking for the brighter side pretending I'm not a misfit. Every time a project/activity/assignment would come up, I gave my everything to it (well not that I have a lot to give at the time), I made sure that even as I was drastically forcing myself to do whatever there is that needs to be done, I will always put my heart to it, and never will I settle for pwede na. Years later.. I find myself having the time of my life doing the things I never thought I will nor could.

Remember in high school when you have this circle of friends and you're sitting on the school grounds giggling and telling all this fun stories that may be too surreal but you still swear it happened? and then one point in time you guys just stopped laughing and start looking at the days ahead of you, how you will be going on different colleges soon and you start promising each other that whatever happens you will be inseparable and that you will defeat all odds and be the best of friends like those in Disney movies you all watched together? Well guess what, Disney failed us again! (No, I still love Disney. Disney x Me forever)

What I'm trying to say is that  like every other thing in life, even friends change. Sometimes, the harder you try to keep them the easier it gets for them to forget you. One day you're making a (relatively.haha.) long distance call to them and then the next day they decline your calls. One day you have like eight or ten or twelve names on your SOS contact list, the next day you have three, or less.

 Although this may not happen to everyone, I have come to learn this in the hardest of ways so many times over, may it be through new friends made, new cellphone number (because it is so hard to update contacts, err), the distance, missing a birthday, missing an invite to a birthday, boys over friends (because they have finally got a chance to forever), too many secrets, babies, etc. the list just goes on and on. #bitter

I always dreaded greetings like 'Congratulations/ Happy Birthday/ Happy New Year/ Welcome.. your life is just getting started!' because believe it or not, the start of life isn't marked by some celebration. It starts in the morning when you wake up, or when your mom had you on her arms for the first time, or when you finish reading this very long post, I'm so sorry. Life starts when your ready, sometimes it starts without you even noticing, it is up to you whenever you'd like to take charge of this amazing yet scary roller coaster ride.

In college, you will be faced with some serious decision making. Like 'Should I stay up partying or go home and sleep?' 'Should I go out on a date tonight or do my homework?' lol. In reality it's actually 'Should I watch another episode or sleep?' and 'Should I go eat (at a place with no liquor but lots of food) with friends or do my homework (still with friends and food)?' Whatever the question is, often times, being able to experience life and all its blissful turns is what matters most. Sure a grade of 1s may get you the highest paying job (for newly graduates) but years later, that classmate who climbed all the mountains he could and the girl who always puts more importance in the school politics than academics will be ahead of you, not only in work pays but also in living life.

Don't get me wrong though, there is a big difference between someone living life and someone who's just wasting it.

Yup, you read it right! and this doesn't just go romantically but in hearts broken in every possible ways. when we get our hearts broken, most of us think we will never ever in thousand years be good enough for anyone or anything. I never thought of it that way #hipster. I always thought that if I'm not enough then that means I have a lot of things to change and a whole lot of room for improvement. Every time I miss my chance on something/someone, I always look ahead believing there's better be more than a handful of good reasons why, and sure enough, my life gets better.

Similarly, a heart filled with love is just as good for inspiration. Whenever I feel as if I'm about to breakdown or when I actually breakdown, I think of all the people I love and have shown the same to me.

Sometimes, even your loved ones do things that disappoints you. When they do, go ahead and rub it on their face! haha kidding. If you can't shrug it off, talk to them. Communication goes a very long way for relationships to grow.

However, there are just things you can never let go. Like may be that one guy who calls you a bitch or that girl who lies on your face over and over and over again. Remember that should you decide on calling out to them with the nastiest words you can come up with, you would be just like them. Stooping down to someone's level (assuming it's lower than yours) never does any good.

When all else fails , because at one point it will, and you're on the verge of succumbing to the pressure that is family, friends, and the academe. Smile, even when it feel silly, soon enough that little smile of yours will turn things upside down.

And lastly, the dream is always, always real. whatever people say, whoever doesn't believe in you. You just have to prove people wrong and show them that your dreams can be reality and that you're not only living a life, you're living the life - the one where whatever you put your heart and mind to happens.