Brain Contour

I am blessed to have the best friends in the world. I find consolation, boosting support and cheer when I am with them. Proof: they helped me the countless times I fell, cheered for me when they saw me about to quit and pushed me to the limit so I would learn how to skate on ice.

This past weekend, I had a conversation with a friend about going to the ice skating center again. She wants to learn how to skate, so I told her the story of the day I finally set foot on an ice-skating rink. Coming from a tropical country where ice is more associated with shakes, ice cream and ice candy (ice water in plastic pouches) rather than snow, ice-skating is the least likely topic of conversation among friends. Thus, my knowledge of the sport is way below amateur level.

At exactly 1 AM, September 29, 2009, the Mediacom Cable TV signal in Brookings, South Dakota was cut off. It has been over an hour already since the interruption and the signal hasn’t been restored yet!

There is only one cinema in Brookings, South Dakota, the Showcase Cinema 5 or popularly called Brookings Cinema 5. The number five on its name probably came from the number of cinema screens the establishment contains. There are 5 small screening rooms with each having less than 100 seating capacity (I think).

Since I am a frequent movie goer, I visit Brookings Cinema 5 almost every week, regardless of the day. Tuesday night is usually a discount night — you pay like $2 less. For regular nights, adults pay $8 and children is charged $6. This is probably cheaper compared to other cinemas in big cities outside SD.

This is my column for the Collegian this week.
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Some of my Filipino friends back home have asked me about how clean Americans are inside the house. I could not answer straight to the point, because the term “clean” is relative: cleanliness in the Filipino perspective could be a far cry from the American viewpoint. If cleanliness is the absence of dirt or offensive odor, then based on the number of American homes I have been into since 2006, Americans do maintain a clean surrounding.

I was stabbed right into the heart!

When a racist strikes, it weakens you right at that moment of attack. You lose your guard and you think of right words to say. You don’t want to talk back in hopes that the racist will realize ‘her’ mistake, unring the bell and apologize. She never did!

Inside Cottonwood.

The McCrory Gardens in Brookings, South Dakota offers not just a vast space for group picnics (I saw a group of ladies comfortably squatting and eating on the greens today) but a variety of colors to see and behold. I visit the park every summer and every summer there is always something new introduced to the area. This year the garden layout has changed and more colorful flowers lined the sides.

Below are few pictures I took. Enjoy the colors of McCrory Gardens 2009!

The South Dakota State University (SDSU) website has undergone a huge makeover. From the previous scary pictures that welcomes you on its homepage to a newer, much feel-good design now. I really love the look of the new site with the nice blending of the colors gold and blue. The site navigation has improved a lot as well. No more “where’s the f%$*@ng link?”

Did I mention that the SDSU site has a banner that talks? LOL.

While having my daily dose of coffee mocha at Cottonwood, I gazed upon a couple who also frequent the shop, just like me, but for their evening tea and slices of sandwiches. She is not the usual lady who bends her head on her partner’s shoulder. Neither is she the one who smiles constantly and flirts. He is not the man who winks at her when trying to make a point. He does not hold her hand. He sips his tea without pretensions or fear of not getting a good impression from her. She is his wife. He is her husband. By the look of her gray hair and his balding head, they are on their late 70s or maybe even early 80s. At their age and still enjoying the regular Cottonwood visits and the sips of tea, who says this is a young world?

There are people I know who find aging so astonishing. I smile to myself whenever I hear someone say, “You have visibly grown older.” It gives me the impression that we live in a world made for and of the young. With the way we view youthfulness and revere youth above one’s ability, knowledge and experience, who is to blame? Our mind is partly corrupted with the idea that aging is a no-no in our society.