Eat. Pray. Love.

Sharing a similar predicament with the main character, I was inspired how she was able to get through a tough heartbreak from her past relationship. Now if you ask me where I want to eat, pray, and love, you must read on.
Pizzas, pastas, and gelatos, are my most favorite food in the world. Food that is perfect for any occasion, or any mood I am in, perfect for my stomach’s desires. Eating them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even midnight snack would not trouble me at all. Therefore, I choose to eat at Italy. After pampering, and stuffing myself from the luscious food I have eaten in Italy. It is time for me to do some soul searching, time for me to reflect, rejuvenate, and pray in Thailand. It has been almost three years since I last went to Thailand. Bangkok would be a very noisy and busy place for me to pray so I would rent a van, and drive to Ayuthaya. Many temples are located in Ayuthaya giving it a peaceful feel. Their ruins are also calming, and the people are quite friendly, making it the perfect place for me to pray.

Now it is time for me to move on, and what better place would be more perfect to search for love than the city of love, Paris, France. A tour at the park, a visit to the museum, and with any luck at the end of the day, be invited by a gentleman to a café, be familiar with one another, and go to the Eifel Tower together, a cliché yet perfect way to end my voyage, and a great beginning of my new love story.

My Ongoing Transformation

When asked to write about the changes I underwent for the last few years, one saying popped to my head “The only constant thing is this world is Change.” Change is innate in all of us. Things change, places change, and we change.

In my nineteen years of existence I have noticed numerous changes in me. I became taller, my arms and legs grew longer, etcetera, these physical changes are just some examples of the minor changes I have observed, and the other change is my philosophy in life. When I was young I got used to just only see matters for what they are, and not to try looking deeper. Yet when I grew older I realized that thinking deeper is wiser. As I enter college I perceive things differently, react to situations more maturely, and so on. I have been around with the same people since kindergarten until fourth year high school. In terms of values, and culture, not much has changed, and developed when I was at my previous school. Then I entered college, meeting different people, learning from them, and hearing their stories, experiences, and philosophy in life, my point of view in life broaden. I have learned different lessons from them which made me change. Each stage of my life changes my way of thinking, and seeing different matters in life. Since then I found problem solving, and decision making easier.

Change is a thing we all should learn to embrace, and accept. This can bring us to the right path, and bright future. On the other hand this can ruin one’s life. Yet we can prevent this from happening as long as we all strive to change for our well being. We must change to become a better version of ourselves.

The Great English Language Shift: The feast of (English) languages

“English language dominance is evident everywhere. What is the language of the Olympics, and the World Cup, may I ask? Of the Pacquiao boxing matches? Of Facebook, YouTube, blockbuster movies, cable television? In what language does Justin Bieber sing?” Leslie Lofranco-Berbano fusses.

Without a doubt, English is the universal language. It is used by Asians, Europeans, Africans, and so on. Other countries tend to master the English language better than their own native language, which lead the writer to ask. “Who owns the English language?” Some say when you can speak English without any pauses, and grammatical errors, you own it. Others say you own it once you are from America, England, you own it as well. But to whom does English language truly belong?

Being able to speak the English language has been a huge advantage when going outside the country. Let us face it, not everyone can understand our language, or the Filipino language. Three years ago, my family and I went to Thailand. The only Thai words I was able to remember were “Sawat Dee” and “Kop Khun” Other than that, I have nothing. Hence, the advantage of the English language, my family and I were able to tour Thailand happily with the help of the English language. Even the doormen, security guards, speak English, making communicating, and asking a whole lot easier.

On the other hand, being aware that English is the universal language, people choose to be more familiar with this language rather than their native languages. Yes, mastering the English language can bring us more opportunities to travel, work abroad, and so on. Mastering the language can even make us successful. But does this mean we must see English language as our primary language?

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism, we often hear this word spoken by our professors. When asked to do term papers, reaction papers, etcetera. Our professors strictly instruct us to avoid plagiarism, for it is a capital sin. But what does this word really mean?
I have conducted a little research about plagiarism, and found different definitions. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defined plagiarism to be the “usage of words or ideas of another as if these words or ideas were your own.” And Grolier New Webster’s Dictionary defined plagiarism “the use and pass off of someone else’s ideas, inventions, writings, etcetera as one’s own.” Though the said definitions came from two different sources their point is exactly the same. Plagiarism is the stealing of ideas, inventions, and writings of other people, proclaiming that the crook came up with those ideas, inventions, and writings, using other’s work without giving credit to their efforts, or even mentioning the name of the person who originally came up with the idea. At least this is what I’ve understood from the definitions I have quoted above. The reason we were given access to other people’s writings, inventions, and concepts is to inspire us or inform us. They spread their work to give help to others, and to be appreciated for their hard work. Thus, when we quote their words or create inventions due to their inspiring discoveries, it is quite ethical to acknowledge, thank, or even just simply state their name for recognition. It must have been a delightful feeling for the inventors, and writers to have their work be appreciated by other people. Come to think of it, it is sort of a give and take relationship.
Plagiarism is not different from stealing. Once you plagiarize, you are a thief. Now tell me, are you a criminal?