REVIEW: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell

I love this book to pieces. It is very easy to read, with the contents great material for discussion. Gladwell's points of discussion in the book were very practical and it gave me a lot of A-HA moments. What struck me the most is on how success can be dictated by culture, as his chapter on Korean Air explains it. Imagine how my country can change if it goes beyond the social and cultural mores that oftentimes cripple the Philippines. The parts about the world's smartest man (I can't recall his name now) and his difficulties and Bill Gates' road to success are just as striking. Malcolm Gladwell writes and engages the reader into the two geniuses' world, in a way that I cannot help but feel sympathy to the poor genius' family. I have a relative who is very smart but is not really successful because he does not have the proper attitude and willpower. It goes to prove that just having the smarts won't necessarily get you to the road of success, but having the 10,000 hours of practice combined with opportunity and attitude that Bill Gates had will. I'm sure others reading this book will find more insights and will have their own A-HA moments, as I had mine with these particular parts of the book.

HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY, BARBIE!

Designers are now honoring Barbie a month before her 50th birthday, according to this article.

I couldn't remember the first time I held my Barbie, but I know I've always had Barbie. I had twelve Barbie dolls, three Ken dolls, and four of the other characters. Barbie became Filipina donning Patis Tesoro's design, and I've had three of them. Barbie is ageless, despite stiff competition. A classic, yet versatile doll who manages to keep up with the times.

Well, at least for me.

Bratz may come and go, but Barbie will always have a place in my heart. She's the ultimate glamor girl, rockstar, maven, and veterinarian. She can do it all, and she represents how much the world has changed its attitudes with regards to women. Sometimes, for some of us, it takes something like Barbie to give that critical push and inspiration that we can be anything we want, as well as push us into harboring unhealthy attitudes towards ourselves.

Yet, she's just a doll.

I've always wondered how little girls play before Barbie came. Did they make believe scenarios of fame, perfection and imagination, or did they just sit their dolls down and sip make believe tea with them and gossiping? Did they roleplay with their Barbie becoming President, or make believe that they are housewives?

That goes to show how much CHANGE we've witnessed since Barbie came. Sales may say otherwise, but Bratz can't light a candle against Barbie. Not many people realize how much Barbie represents mankind and how much elegantly she bears various cultures with her bearing.

Wikipedia gave more insight on what I have already known about Barbie, and all the more gave credit to her influence in this world. I wish a very Fabulous and Happy Birthday to Barbara Millicent Roberts!

On being a virtual writer

My Second Life avatar Isadora Fiddlesticks worked very hard on this latest issue of the most fabulous magazine in Second Life! In this issue, we tackled the many faces of collaboration in this online world. In these pages, a man travels from the US to the Philippines to be with his SL and real life love, two British friends make wonderful machinima (movies made in virtual worlds and games), and we write about a couple with a passion to make your pixel home beautiful and romantic through its furniture.

Doing things together is what drives Second Life, it makes the world go 'round. I love making this magazine not only because it enables me to write and live my dream, but it also enables me to work with people from around the world. I have coworkers, writers, and photographers from around the world, and we merge in this great online community to make something we all can be proud of.

So anyway, please browse around, read the articles, and hopefully, your perception of a virtual world/online game will change for the better.

Get your own - Open publication

AVENUE MAGAZINE JAN 2009

So, I don't write much about my life. I am not so proud of it. so I am writing about my second one instead. It has been keeping me somewhat sane, but this will get old eventually, as I will soon yearn to be able to write again about things that are not based on pixels. 

But this is also a part of me, one I keep somehwat hidden, safe with you guys who are reading this. 

Eventually, I will have to write something about my real life...I have set goals this year to write more, and my friends are witness to it, and they are bugging me now. So here goes nothing.

...........

--blank--

AVENUE Magazine December 2008

This is my little project online. It is a Second Life publication that specializes in Fashion and Lifestyle. I am the Editor and I write up to four articles. It is great practice for writing, specially when one lacks real-life inspirations to write about. 

Second Life is a unique and colorful world, and I really enjoy it..:) 

Just click on the link and hope you enjoy! :)

AVENUE Magazine

picking up the pieces

So tonight I write, this time not out of anger or spite. I will not write about my thirst to be free, but I will write about me quest to get there.

My week has been one tiring, emotional week. It was a catalyst of the inner transformation that I have been waiting and praying for. I've taken one crucial step in letting myself go and change, after so many years of being in limbo and inertia.

I just finished talking to my close college friend about the problems I've been having lately, and being the wise soul that she is, she offered me this timely song from our favorite artist, Jason Mraz:

DETAILS IN THE FABRIC

Calm down
Deep breaths
And get yourself dressed instead
Of running around
And pulling on your threads and
Breaking yourself up

If it's a broken part, replace it
If it’s a broken arm then brace it
If it's a broken heart then face it

And hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way
Hold your own
Know your name
And go your own way

And everything will be fine

Hang on
Help is on the way
Stay strong
I'm doing everything.

So now I move my own way, with God on my side.

thirst

i thirst

to experience life

without being tied down

like a dog on a leash.

i thirst

and now my inner light dims

if I don't get out of this dark place

my light shall perish.

i thirst

to find my reason for being

to embark on a quest

leave everything behind me.