Infinite: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

 

To “Sam”,  here are my thoughts.

As  [demanded]  requested. 😉

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The Story:

The book is a compilation of letters a teen named Charlie (not his real name) sends to an anonymous friend as a sort of diary. The story tackles Charlie’s involvement in sex and drugs, his struggle in school,  his family relationship, and with himself.

Comments:
             I like how crudely the author have touched the ominous topic of sex, drugs, homosexuality and abuse. It has followed how teens are exposed and confused with their lives.  Movie goers should focus on the witty lines and interesting twists they shouldn’t miss.

Good Points:

The perks of this book is its being realistic, no holds barred, vulgar but informative, compassionate, and delicate way of painting the picture of teenage life —the peer pressures, the innocence, the struggle to fit in. I also liked how the book mentioned a lot of good to read classic novels.

Movie Adaptation:
             Since the Author of the book Stephen Chbosky was also the Director of the movie, I find it nicely done. Though the author has left many scenes to be just in the book, he also satisfies the viewers with the hightlights [the tunnel trip, the hilarious rocky horror show, the party, the thing with Aunt Helen]. The whole ‘meat’ of the story is well done –like a roasted chicken without the bloody meat in the core. The casting was fitting — just as I imagined Charlie would look like. Emma Watson exhibits a different role being Sam, as opposed to being Hermoine. It’s fresh and just adorable.
Quotable Quotes:

One of the thought provoking quotes from the book, it hits you just right and leaves you thinking to yourself whispering “yeah, right”.

              Some individuals are just as happy to be loved half-heartedly. Some demands for more. Some are just contented for it to be one-sided. Some are just as happy as they are treated, though for somebody’s point of view, they deserve more. The fact is, it’s on the question of self-worth. How much do you see yourself? How you think you should be treated is a reflection of how much price you tag yourself with.
             It’s not bad or anything, it’s just the way it is.  People often choose to accept the love they think they deserve, neglecting the fact that they are very worthy of such overpowering love.   Much more from the source of all love –God. Some fail to receive that precious  gift.  Open your eyes  heart. Be enlightened.
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Here’s another quote from the book:

Bullseye! eh?

Not-So-Good Points:
                  What I find hard when reading this book was the mysterious gaps the author leaves you with. It keeps you wondering as to what happened and forces you to analyze Charlie’s statements. [Maybe that means I’m not smart enough to read between the lines. haha 😀 ] And maybe that’s what also gives the book a taste of mystery, deliciously dark.

Reflections:

Life is not a puzzle to be solved, but a game to be played. Be who you are, not just for any other people but for yourself. Be a wallflower— see things, understand, and keep quiet. Know that every individual has his own story and you can never blame them, it’s their choice.
“… even if we don’t have the power to choose where we come from, we can still choose where we go from there.” (The Perks…)
Please do ‘participate’ in life. Make sure that at some point, strive to exist. Find purpose. Chase happiness. Be infinite.  
Personal Rating (from a novice):
             Book: 9.2/10
             Movie: 8.8/10

Jeepney Manners

Siguro lahat naman tayo ay nakasakay na ng jeep. [ewan ko lang sa mga ipinanganak na mayaman kung na-try nila]

Tanong:  naging mabuti kaya tayong pasahero? o isa tayo sa mga sakit sa ulo?
Narito ang iilan sa mga kagandahang asal [at sermon] kung nakasakay ka ng PUJ:

1. Be RESPECTFUL. Respect begets respect. Sabi pa nga ni Bea Saw (PBB Season 2 big winner) : “Ang respeto hindi yan ini-IMPOSE! ini-EARN yan!” Matutong rumespeto sa kapwa at ng respetuhin ka rin nila. And by the way, paglabag sa respeto ang paninilip ng text ng ibang tao. tsk

2. Say PLEASE. Mas nakakaganang mag-abot ng bayad lalo na kung nakikiusap ang kapwa mo. Tandaan, patas lang kayong lahat kasi pareho lang kayong nagbabayad sa inyong pagsakay. Kaya matutong magsabi ng Please. Hindi mo yan mga alalay.

3. Say THANK YOU. Para naman sa mga nagpapaabot ng pamasahe, matuto din naman sana tayong magpasalamat sa pagtanggap nila ng pamasahe. Bilang kabayaran nalang sa TIME, EFFORT and ENERGY sa tumanggap. Ilang calories din ang na burn nila sa pag extend lng nga kamay nila.

4. Be PATIENT. Kung nagmamadali ka at sobrang bagal magmaneho ni manong driver, makupal masyado kaka-pick-up ng pasahero, na trap ka sa trapik tapos malapit ka na ma late, wag masyadong reklamador! Mag TAXI ka! hahaha Ang lakas mong mag jeep eh hindi ka naman pala makapaghintay!

5. Be THOUGHTFUL. Kung mayroong disabled, matanda, buntis, or kung sinong nahihirapan, please lang umusog na at ng hindi na sila mahirapang yumuko-yuko pa papunta sa dulo. Hindi rin madali ang kanilang sitwasyon. Kayo kaya!

6. Be ASSERTIVE. Assertive ha, hindi AGGRESSIVE. Matutong magreklamo kung alam mong nasa lugar ka. Wag talak ng talak. Demanding ka na!

7. Be UNDERSTANDING. Huwag ka namang magmura kung balatuhan ka ni manong drayber ng ilang metrong lagpas, concerned lng siya sa safety mo [at sa penalty niya kung kahit saan lang siya hihinto]. Ayaw nyang magkapera na naman yung traffic enforcer. Be understanding din sa ibang driver na kailangan ng HEARING AID, lakasan mo nalang boses mo. Sa totoo lang medyo mahirap marinig yung boses ng pasahero dahil sa ingay ng makina ng jeep, at kung minsan sa SOUND system mismo ng jeep! (Manong, pwedeng sakto lang ang volume? Hindi naman to disco bar?)

8. Observe CLEANLINESS. Wag naman sana magkalat. Alam nyo naman siguro ang kaibahan ng DUMP TRUCK at JEEP? May basurahan naman dun mo nalang itapon. Kung wala naman, bitbitin muna. Saka muna itapon kung may makita kang basurahan. At hindi po basurahan ang kanal at mga singit ng upuan. Paalala lang.
Remember: “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.”
“Dirtyness is next to UGLINESS! haha

9. MAGBAYAD NG SAKTO. Wag mandaya. Maawa ka sa sarili mo. Mahirap ka na nga, dignidad nalang sana ang magkaroon tayo.   God is watching us. Matindi pa yan kaysa ni Big Brother. Hala ka sa penalty, hala ka!

10. SMILE. Wala nang mas kaayaaya pang tignan sa tamis ng iyong ngiti.  “A smiling face makes this world a happy place”. 🙂  [wag lang sobra ha baka maisip ng manyak na nasa harap mo kung ano na]

 

Stunned

Standing here in front of you

Face to face

Don’t know what to do

Don’t know what to say

 

I’m lost for words

My tongue paralyzed

Don’t know where to start

Don’t know what to feel

 

My brain is in blackout

Heart on a standstill

Lungs hungered for air

Arms wanting you near

 

Staring into that gloomy eyes

Filled with pain and sacrifice

Those lips curved down

That face now a frown

 

I’m sorry, I really am

A jerk, insensitive bastard

I have hurt you, crushed you

I am a criminal, murderer of a soul

 

What would be the reason for staying?

Pretending we’re okay

Inside we are both hurting

Wondering what may

 

This I think is what is better

You go on with your life

I’ll continue with mine

No more connections

No more pretensions

Just pure purpose

Let’s find ours.