Need some company?

Are you that kind of person who likes to be in total silence when reading? or the one who likes to have some kind of music accompanying you, playing in the background? If you like music jiving with you while reading, you might like my artist recommendations. However if you enjoy the silence (like in Depeche Mode's hit), Just read!

So, Just to share, I really love reading while listening to music. There were times that as if the music I'm listening to while reading actually helps me understand the story more,perhaps because it helps set up the mood. But then again, it could also be a cause of your reading distraction. Just imagine, reading a Mitch Albom book then have songs by Korn as your background music... well, obviously that's stupid common sense already, besides who listens to Korn while reading a book? if you are one, I congratulate you :)

Now, so what is this post about again? Oh yeah, music to play while reading. Right. So first things first, who are the artists that will help you feel the story better?

• Ellie Goulding- This British chick's songs are poetry dancing in addictive melodies. Her voice is ethereal, perfect for novels that makes you wonder, sets you forth to an enchanted kingdom and calm your hearts. From all of her songs, the best reading companion song I love to play is "fighter plane" which is sad but will give you an unexplained smile plastered on your face.

• Daniel Merriweather- Aside from the fact that I find him hot (hihihi), he actually has a good voice-not the usual pop-sy kind. Also from what I've noticed from his songs, he's very versatile. From his angst-ridden "Stop me" (which is a collaboration with Mark Ronson) to a hopeful "A little bit better" (soundtrack from the movie Arthur), listening to his voice while reading would be a sure delight :)

• Lykke Li- Not only can she sing, she can dance too, no wonder one of her song's title is "Dance,Dance,Dance". Lykke Li's voice may sound weird to others, but she's a true artist. Her lyrics has this weird factor that makes it very legit and relatable. BTW, If you ever find yourself grabbing a copy of the Hunger Games trilogy by Susan Collins, make sure to listen to her song "Tonight", because it fits really well to the story.

• The Hoosiers- These lads from England will surely make you go "Run Rabbit Run". I like the voice of their vocalist Irwin Sparkes because he can go falsetto and could make a girl doubt her own girly falsetto :) Anyway, this band's playful sound is perfect for reading humorous adventure stories. However don't play their version of "We didn't start the fire" or else you'll find yourself singing instead of reading.

• Sia Furler- Australian.Artsy.Authenthic. Three words that best describe her and her music (oh wait, how do I know if a music is Australian-sounding? D:). "You will be loved" is the perfect song for that tearjerker page in Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones, or you could spin "Bring Night" while reading a Sophie Kinsella novel.

There's soooo many more I'd like to share, but let's prolly stop at these 5 great artists. Hopefully those who like to listen to music would find this post a bit helpful in a way, while to those who enjoy the silence while indulging a good book I hope I somehow make you want to try listen to music while finishing that piece of Tolstoy you're clutching :)

- Nicole Alejandro

Let's VOLT IN!

Are you guys excited? 1 more day and it will be like Christmas for us Bookworms! The 33rd Manila International Book Fair will be on Septmber 12-16, 2012 at 10:00 am to 8:00pm, at SMX convention center, Mall of Asia :) 

See you guys there!

Hey I just met you

"We are the sum of all people we have ever met." -Dirk Wittenborn

Yup, won't stop with all the quotes. On my almost 2-hour travel time on my way home, I realized that my earphones were not with me, the movie on the bus was *not my type*, and I couldn't sleep so I just thought about random people and random things about them.

I realized that every person we meet in our life has something to teach us. Some people are going to be in your life to make you feel happy, special, hurt, and some other roller coaster of emotions. Whether it's a good thing or not, they have taught you something and that will always be a part of who you are. During my junior year, we had this prof whom the whole class really loved dearly, except for the loads of readings he assigns per meeting. And when I say loads, I mean LOADS. Some readings just for one meeting are two inches thick. Anyway, what did this prof teach us? Aside from political stuff, he also taught us discipline in so many ways possible. I also got the privilege to work under one of ABS-CBN's big bosses, and he taught me how to get a perfect result in a work-give your best. Wherever you go, go with all your heart. I have this friend who's always in a panic mode and it taught me one thing: I just need to be chill, like what I really am. Because if everybody else is on panic mode, what will happen to the world? 

I don't need to go over every person I met who taught me something to justify the quote above. Ask yourself what your most terror prof taught you. Or your mean neighbor, your number one critic, a special person in your life-who can't stay in your life, anybody. You might be surprised with how much you have learned from these people, and also ask yourself what have you been teaching other people? What experience are you giving them?

I once read in a book, that there are only two kinds of people in this word: a teacher and a student. Most of us are both. So ask yourself, have you been a good teacher/student to others lately?

Hmm recently, my ITM friends taught me to.. have fun while working I guess? Earlier tonight, we shared this very special *moment* about balloons, face paint and banderitas that made our tummies ache but that's okay. Wink wink! Hello Nicole, Glenda & Franc! :-) What's with the balloons? Stay tuned and find out next week! 

-SuperKatmag

Attention Fellow Bookworms!

If you find yourself free this September 12-16, 2012, and if you're a bookworm (like me), it's a MUST for you to mark your calendars and get set for one of the longest-running book fairs in Asia! The 33rd Manila International Book Fair will be held at SMX convention center at SM Mall of Asia :) Thanks to hundreds of both international and local publishing houses participating this year, this event will definitely be a bookworm's paradise!

See you there :)

GLENDIARIES: A Day in a Life of a Communication Arts Student

Imagine doing all of these in a week’s time:

Photography plates (TEN!)
Art Appreciation Music Video (FINALS!)
THESIS
Ethics paper
Marriage and Family (projection of my future husband)
Integrated Marketing Communications plan (Crocs RX and Royal Tru Orange)
Film (SHORT FILM for Black Barong Film Festival)
Public Relations (pen-pushing activity)

But what if you also happen to be the:
Vice-President of a senior class
Guildhead of Communication Arts Students Association (CAST)
Training member of a dance team (CASA Footworks)
Emcee of the upcoming Black Barong Film Festival (October 12)

With the BONUS of being a MANAGING DIRECTOR (Marketing Communications
and Social Media) of IDEAS THAT MATTER?

Welcome to my life.

Welcome to my life.

For today, I decided to pay a visit to Hospicio de San Jose, where we will be holding the CRACKED KICK-OFF PARTY. We only have a week left, and so I feel the need to check on things. My first visit was two weeks ago - I went with Majesty, which was actually quite adventurous and disastrous because we ended up arriving at Colegio DE Santa Rosa Intramuros (mind the ‘DE’ – that was probably what the pedicab driver only registered).

This time around, I came with Katrina (whom I assigned to headline the Set-Up Team) in order for her to be able to show the initial design of the venue and get a grasp of its size.

When we walked into the building, our hearts were definitely quicklyfilled with utmost joy upon seeing “c/o UST” on the Hospicio Calendar of Events.

However, after meeting the administrators of Hospicio, I had to rush for a Technical Dress Rehearsal of the Communication Arts Students Association General Assembly, an event happening the next day. I will be performing twice for this event; one is for CASA CAST (theatre) and the other is for CASA FOOTWORKS (dance). And oh, did I mention that I’m a STAGE MANAGER all in between?

And so before you think Communication Arts is easy…

Think again.

-Glenda Dela Pena

ITM is so Awesome

-Kevin Mangahas

Commuting: Easier Said Than Done

Does sitting, or standing, in place for at least an hour, closely surrounded by people you don't know, with the air-conditioning either non-existent or turned all the way up sound appealing to you? If yes, you're either lying or a masochist. That is what I, and I'm sure countless other Thomasians, encounter every day as we make our way to our homes to the University and back. This numbing experience is augmented by a number of factors that are beyond your control: traffic, rain, or worst of all, a really slow driver.

You might be asking; "It's not so bad, right? At least you're getting some rest."

Here's the deal: Commuting, especially if your trip lasts for about an hour, is exhausting. It doesn't matter if you're on a jeep, FX or bus; it will tire you out, guaranteed. Sitting in the same, cramped and cold (or hot) place for a long period of time just takes a lot out from you.

Much more if you're standing up on the congested aisle of a bus, at night. Oh and you can't sleep properly. Those seats aren't designed for optimal comfort. Even if you do manage to sneak in a couple of Zzz's, expect a stiff neck to come with it. Also, the radio is probably turned up to its maximum level, and it's tuned in to one of those irritating stations that play nothing but novelty songs.

So what exactly is the point of this blog post? Well, I guess I'd just like to say how much I hate commuting. While I enjoyed my stay in UST, I really dislike how much I travel to and from the University. Next time you set out for UST, make sure that you're ready;  Ready for a long, unpleasant and bumpy ride.

-Jed Mutuc