Top 5 Things I Am Thankful For

This was a really hard list to make, because I felt incredibly... sappy creating it. Sadly, the things I am thankful for are usually the things everyone says they're thankful for. I do mean it, however, which may set me apart from others who just say it cuz they're supposed to? Hmm... we'll see.

5) Music. My life would be empty without music. I think I would be a much different person if I did not have it in my life; I would not understand myself or the world in the same way.



4) The ocean. Well, the ocean and everything that lives in it, would be more apt. Spending time near the ocean, on the ocean, and in the ocean has provided me with some of the most incredible, exciting, soul-searching and soul-defining moments of my life. Scuba diving is the time when I feel most at peace and most like myself, and for that I shall be forever thankful!



3) Really Good Teachers. This quarter I took two history classes from very famous historians, which juxtaposed two very different approaches to teaching. One, taught by a Pulitzer-Prize winning Constitutional historian was the epitome of every bad, elite university cliche: he talked incessantly about himself, his children, his past students who have gone on to become lawyers/politicians/etc., and everything else that was irrelevant to the curriculum and really took away from any point that I would have taken away from lecture. We read one of his books, which he reminded us of often. In fact, the last lecture of class was him actually reading from one of his essays that he was "really proud of." Not even kidding. The other class was taught by a McArthur Fellow who is the premiere historian in his field. He never mentioned himself, unless he was discussing history as a meta-subject, and we read some of his book, but I honestly didn't even realize it was his writing until it was pointed out to me by a friend. The level of thinking in his lectures far exceeded almost any other class I've taken at Stanford, forcing you to think about difficult, large themes, and was not about memorizing facts/obscure Latin phrases (not even kidding about the other prof) but instead was about thinking outside the box. Even though I was not interested in the subject matter, it turned out to be one of hte best classes I have ever taken, because it forced me to think about the world around me in a completely new light and reminded me why I love to learn, and why education/school is actually important. So I'm thankful for that! And, really, I just wanted to rant about the other class.



2) The little things in life. Awww, cliches. My dear, dear friends. But, really, I am thankful for those small moments during the day that just make you smile and remind you that being alive is actually pretty cool. For example, Val and I have advent calendars... so every day, even if only for the two minutes it takes me to eat the chocolate, I have something to look forward to and feel warm fuzzy about.



1) Family. This is where I feel a little trite. Hopefully my explanation makes it a little less so, however. Something I have learned since leaving home is that family is much, much more than the people you are related to by blood, and it is possible to create family wherever you are. Clearly, I am thankful for the family I am related to- without my parents, brother, or extended family's support, love and guidance... well, lord knows what my life would be like. I'd be a fucking mess. But, I'm also incredibly grateful for the family that I have found outside of the "nuclear" family-- the friends I have made that have become my family because I do not live with mine anymore. I would also be a wreck without the few people who have taken the time to actually get to know and understand me and have become such an important part of my life that I cannot imagine it without them. It gives me hope that the future, as an adult, won't be so lonely. :)

Top 5 Things I'm Thankful For

Having finally come to from my turkey-induced coma, I can offer you the Top 5 Things I'm Thankful For. This was quite an interesting exercise because I found a lot to be thankful for but had a difficult time choosing what would make the cut and then how to write about it. I took some pointers from this interesting article about gratitude journals that I read in the NYT on my way home Thanksgiving Day. Apparently, a gratitude journal can make you a happier person. After reading the article, I honestly considered starting a gratitude journal of my own, but then I realized being happier might compromise my caustic wit and thought the better of it.

5) Preliminary Deadlines - As much as I hate them, I really love them. Every single one of my classes this semester has had preliminary deadlines for our semester projects/papers. Even though I’ve half-assed every single one of them, I’m glad to know that I have something down on paper even if that something sucks.



4) Neighbors - I’ve never been much of the neighborly type, I tend to keep myself and prefer that others keep to themselves as well. But now that I have friendly neighbors, boy am I glad I do. Here’s why: They’ll do things for you! Like take care of your cat and bring in your newspaper while you’re out of town. Also, there’s that sense of community thing, but that’s really secondary to having people do favors for you.



3) Having Someone to Come Home To—even if that someone is a cat. I was really happy that I got a cat over the summer when I came home to find her genuinely excited to see me. It sure beat coming back to a cold, dark, empty house, even if Bayani can’t cook me dinner or give me a back massage. Nevertheless, an enthusiastic purr is enough of a homecoming for me.


2) Being Able to Go Home - I’m thankful that I can go home and have a family to go home to that I actually like. It occurs to me every so often that some people actually don’t like they’re families, which must make the holidays suck a lot.



1) Being Able to Leave Home - As much as I love my family, I’m glad that I don’t have to live with them anymore. I think the pleasure of going home is a direct function of being able to leave. Plus, not being there all the time makes it that much more enjoyable and my family a lot more tolerable. And that probably makes me happier than any gratitude journal.

Top 5 Things I Want To Do Before I Graduate

5) Tryout for Movement's Swing Dance Group
Movement is one of the many, many dance collectives on campus that are always practicing out on lower Sproul Plaza and blasting some obnoxious hip-hop dance mix. What's different about Movement is that they have several different divisions of dance and swing happens to be one of them. I've been meaning to put all those swing dance lessons I've taken to use and try out, and so far I've managed to forget every single year. But not this spring! Also, given that it's "no experience required" I figure I have a leg up.


4) Sex in the Stacks (or at least a good make out sesh).
While I'm generally would not describe myself as an exhibitionist, this is always something that I've wanted to do. And actually, come to think of it, exhibition really has nothing to do with it because I wouldn't want people to see. I just like the idea of doing the nasty around all those books. Books are sexy.




3) Organize a {M}aganda Event
Since next semester is supposedly going to be the semester that I do all the things I've been meaning to do for the last 3 years but haven't gotten around to, I'd like to up my commitment to the magazine and actually plan an event. I was thinking a filmfest would be cool and maybe get the magazine involved in some environmental advocacy stuff, because we definitely don't do enough of that.

2) Attend or Participate in PCN
I have never been to Berkeley's PCN, or Pilipino Cultural Night, and frankly, that just feels kind of wrong to me. Even more wrong than never having been to a football game. I've been deterred by the fact that the showcase of filipino dance and music and other culture related things usually runs 5 hours. But given that this is my last chance as an undergrad, I feel a certain cultural compulsion.


1) Go To Professor Stockinger's Office Hours
In my 3 years at Cal, I've managed to go to a professor's office hours once. It's always seemed like I could never find the time in my schedule and it didn't seem particularly important given that they don't grade my papers or my tests. Interestingly, once Professor Litwack—a tycoon of a professor and one of the best lecturers I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying—retired, I began regretting not going to his office hours because I'd missed out on an opportunity to talk to a great thinker. One of the best things about being at a prestigious university like Berkeley is all the great minds that we have access to. Stockinger, who I have for Soc 160: The Sociology of Culture, is retiring after this year and he's as much a tycoon and as good a lecturer as Litwack, so I figure I better get on that, especially since the semester is winding down. (BTW, this was the only picture I could find of Dr. Jim on the entire interweb).

Top 5 Things I Want To Do Before I Graduate

5) Go on a trip to Vegas, and if that fails, Disneyland. Seeing as Vegas is the adult's Disneyland, I feel like these can go together. I want to visit Vegas as a legal drinker/gambler. I loved Vegas as a minor, so I can only imagine the joy and trouble that I can get into now. I also have not been to Disneyland since the summer you and I went, Sofia, and I need to relive the tutu-wearing experience. I'm in Cali, I might as well go! Two wonderful places just a small plane ride away.



4) Take a fiction writing class. I miss enjoyable, creative writing classes, and Stanford's are supposedly really good. Val is taking one this quarter, and it looks really fun. I want to take a class that does not require serious problem-setting or shit tons of reading.


3) Go to Exotic Erotic. Playboy named it one of the Top Ten College Parties, yet I have not gone in the past three years. The rule of the party is simple: girls get to wear two items of whatever they want; guys get one. Basically everyone gets slutty (though some are very creative), and rub up against each other. As that is totally my scene, you can see why I've yet to attend.



2) Go camping at Yosemite. I did not go with my freshman or sophomore dorms to Yosemite, which means I'll need to go on my own. It looks gorgeous and I can't imagine going four years here without making my way out there.


1) Fountain Hopping! One of the most iconic Stanford experiences, fountain hopping is a unique tradition that I have somehow missed. I shall do it before I leave though!

Top 5 Things I Am Addicted To Right Now

5) Loltheist.com - I skipped right on past Lolcats and began my education with blasphemy. Nothing says religion like a baby Jesus basking in the light of God asking Mary if "I can haz tan now?"



4) Tegan and Sara - Most of their new album is ridiculously awesome. And if that's not enough, Chris Walla produced it and Jason McGerr plays the drums. If you don't have them, download "The Con," "Hop A Plane," "Nineteen," "I Was Married" and "Burn Your Life Down."


3) Explosions in the Sky - I have never enjoyed instrumental music- especially when I did homework. There is something about tuning out lyrics that helps me focus. Explosions in the Sky, however, have broken me of my former prejudices. Their music is gorgeous, painting pictures without words. Plus, they do the soundtrack for Friday Night Lights, possibly the best show on television right now.


2) Smartwater- While I cannot support the continual buying of disposable plastic water bottles, the fact that the Smartwater bottles are clear, and on the inside of the front label is a little fishy to play peek-a-boo with during class, makes me love them. It is a bottle I want to hug.

1) Fafarazzi.com - Fantasy football for those of us who could care less about football. Instead, you draft celebrities, and based upon how many times they are mentioned in the tabloids, you get points. Basically, awesomeness.

My #1 draft pick...

Top 5 Things I'm Currently Addicted To

5) Pomegranate Tea - I probably drink 2 to 4 cups of this stuff on cold days. It’s perfect for arming yourself with coziness against the encroaching fall weather and also, being sweeter than most other teas, it satisfies my sugar cravings.



4) Blogging - Blogging (with the exception of blogs that actually provide people with a service or advocate an admirable cause) is the ultimate exercise in self-indulgence. They’re presumptuous and egomaniacal, but oh so much fun. There’s nothing like procrastinating by constructing your own self-important world where you can immortalize all those silly things that go on in your head or stand on your soap box to your heart’s content. The best part is pretending that someone, perhaps several someones, out there actually reads this crap, and maybe even cares!

3) Crossword Puzzles - The most intellectually satisfying way of staving off boredom in lecture. Plus, if you position yourself just right, it looks like you’re taking notes. I’m also trying to work my way up to the New York Times puzzle, so I figure I better be able to get through the entire week of puzzles in the SF Chronicle. As of now, I get through about Wednesday or Thursday before it gets too frustrating to even try.

2) lolcatz - Cats do the darndest things. Being turned onto “I can haz cheeseburger” was a revelation in procrastination. It combines my love of silly cat pictures and amusement with purposefully incorrect grammar; I can hardly think of a more entertaining way to squander hours of my time. The squandering has been greatly facilitated by my discovery of the “I can haz cheesburger” facebook app. Good bye productivity!

1) Television - Not having found much time for TV in the past, I never developed a real interest (especially once “Sex and the City” ended), so I’m a late-comer to today’s TV scene. But thanks to a TV-obsessed friend, my once isolated Alec Baldwin-centered love of “30 Rock” (which, courtesy of the internet, I never watched on TV anyway) has spread to several other shows: Reaper, the Office, Pushing Daisies and Doctor Who (which I also don’t watch on an actual television, but I included on this list anyway). Also, having an enormous HDTV (even though I haven’t quite figured out the whole HD thing), someone to watch it with and a DVR certainly helps feed the rapidly growing addiction.