Superficiality killed the cat.

Lately, I've felt so inauthentic about everything & as time went by it had only gotten worse.

What I mean is, whether music, books, fashion, movies or television, there was this underlying motive for why I watched/read/listened to something: to impress anyone out there who was interested in these same things due to its degree of popularity and intellect people, or people I associate myself with, assign it. All the choices I made were solely dependent on what other people thought about it. 

For the most part, I was afraid of rejection. I had surrounded myself with people who had strong opinions about everything, and I admired people and their opinions. (It can all be explained in this danisnotonfire video.) But I let these opinions intimidate me to the point where my brain would criticize me on every little thing I’ve read, what songs I’d put on my playlist, what shows I liked and what clothes I wore. I even congratulated myself over being interested in the things my friends loved and praised so much. IT DROVE ME MENTALKLFDJAJFOTJKL;FJKAS.

Although it is something I have to get over myself, there had been some serious repercussions. When I did do something I genuinely wanted to do, my brain would always creep up again with questions like, “Are you really smart enough for this? Do you understand what’s going on? What if your friends want to discuss this & you’re not smart enough for them? Are you prepared for the awkward conversations and shame you’re going to experience once this all boils down to the fact that I am right?" *evil laughs whilst I cry in shame* 

(I’ve had many awkward encounters like this actually.) 

So my advice to you, is if you genuinely love something, no matter how lame it may be to you, embrace it! Go listen to that 1D soundtrack, because I may be secretly listening to it too on Spotify private session! ……….. But in all seriousness, once you accept the facts you will find you’re not alone in your interests, which brings me to my next point:

Surround yourself with people who are open to your thoughts and opinions about anything. This does not mean seek revenge on those who don’t agree with you or have slightly differing opinions. It means not putting up with those people who are so close-minded that even a simple conversation about a topic requires so much energy only to be where you were at from the start. At the very least, it would only hurt you.

And if you really don’t like something, no matter how hard you try, you are never going to get into it. That is to say, if you are trying for the wrong reasons. I understand people change and interests change, but they will change on their own and not because the next person you fancy dedicates 3/4 of his or her heart to it and not to you.

Fortunately, there is a word for this:

Because in reality, no one has time for people who don't know what they are talking about! And if you do then, my life is a lie.

Life Is Hard, But Not That Hard.

I'm no expert at advice or people in general. But here are some reminders.

1. It may be a bad day, or time, but not a bad life. Because no matter how pissed off, crushed, or indifferent you're going to be about circumstances, big or small, there's still time to make things right. Even if you're 80. The elderly are looking younger by the generation.

Except Martin Freeman, because does he really look 42 to you

2. People are always worth it. Whether it's being let down by one person or all of humanity, there must always be a restored hope. There will be major letdowns in life that might leave you jaded or, again, indifferent towards everything. But what's the point to life if you've lost hope in part of its major connection?

3. You either get busy living or get busy dying. All you really have is time. Be careful how you spend it.

4. Always do the right thing. As Churchill once said, "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen". Or just watch Les Misérables. It's really simple.

5. Be yourself. You can put whatever you want out there for the public to see, whether through social media or in person, it all comes down to who you are. Being "cool" should never matter or even be a concern in anyone's mind, because it's all relative.

There is always a reason to smile, love and keep going!

Even when nothing makes sense.

------------------------------

P.S. My favorite quote of all time. From my favorite movie.

May be a bit irrelevant, but still very true.

"It's only in the mysterious equations of love that any logical reasons can be found"

-- John Nash, A Beautiful Mind

5 Relevant & Random Facts About Me

I can't properly introduce myself via the Internet, so here are 5 random & relevant facts about me.

1. My roots would fly (or sail) you over to the Philippines. 

I am the only one raised in the United States out of my immediate family. I understand the language almost completely, but am too shy to speak it. To anyone. 

So the next time someone speaks in Tagalog around me thinking I wouldn't understand,

YOU ARE SO WRONG. 

This has happened a number of times.

But alas. Pinoy Pride, man. 

2. My heart would fly you to New York. And England. I previously posted my memorable east coast trip I took a few months ago, which you can read here.

I would love to live in both places, but my reasons put them on the opposite sides of the spectrum.

Tower Bridge, London

London is spectacular, in my opinion -- with Big Ben standing high & mighty in front of you once you step foot into the city. And well, if you are informed of other major sites, then you see where I'm going.

But my favorite part of England was the small village my family and I stayed at in Cobham, Surrey which is only about 17 miles away from the big city (thank you, Wikipedia). I met some of the nicest people as well as lost a decent amount of weight since everything was a walk away!

Central Park, NYC

Given, my knowledge of the United Kingdom as a whole is limited and constantly expanding, America still takes the cake and is currently eating it too -- it's always those Broadway shows.

(While we're at it, #1 travel destination: Germany and #2 is Austria!)

3. I enjoy many forms of art. And I like to sing and draw. Music, movies, musicals. Everything except dancing, but one day I will get lessons and just break out into dance. (Actually. No, I won't.)  

I've been singing ever since my parents decided to leave me home alone. I saw it as something fun, until my dear friend, Gigi, thought it would be a good idea to sing at a school event. I eventually had the privilege to partake in a small ensemble and be a part of my school's worship team!

Singing back-up to the lovely every-dayali, dedicated to Mrs. Grove.

Now, when it comes to my choice of entertainment, I have a handful of people to thank. (You all know who you are.)

But more on that later.

4. My friends and I met the TheFineBros at Disneyland. If you don't know what TheFineBros are, it is a YouTube channel that was started by two brothers.

Rafi Fine (very left), Benny Fine (very right) 

Fine Brothers Entertainment has amassed 1.5 billion views online. Brothers Benny and Rafi started by making feature films in high school that played in film festivals, have gone on to create shows for networks and companies (Warner Bros, Comedy Central, BBC America, MTV), & been featured in every major publication (Variety, NY Times, Time, Huffington Post, Deadline). They've helped build digital media startups serving as Creative Executives & Heads of Production, leading to the expansion of their own independent studio, and have won awards at the Daytime Emmys, Streamys, and the Webbys. 

Thank you, YouTube.

(I think I can do that.)

Long story short, that was the first time I had ever met anyone well-known. And they were very nice people! Given, my friend and I made awkward eye-contact with Rafi until he finally laughed and joined us in for a picture. Again, a pleasant experience. :)

5. "Where Is My Mind?" by Pixies is my all-time favorite song. Ever since I saw Fight Club (highly recommend it), I can't find anything wrong with it.

I could have put this in Fact #3, but I realized this about a month ago. There's just a lot of truth in it.

Plus that end scene is pretty mind-blowing:

Pleasure to meet you!

--Lissa Monica

The Life Harmonic

To whom it may concern,

Hello again! My name is Monica Biscocho.

First things first, blogging is not my forte.

Neither is any form of literary expression. Both are recognized as fact by myself and apparently my local community college (I did not test into the appropriate English class...sad life). But more on that later.

I recently graduated from a private school in northern California, making me a full-time college student.

When it comes down to what I want to do in life, I have no answer. Which can be pretty unsettling for me. So whether or not I've accumulated an audience, the initial purpose of this blog is more of self-preservation. I just find documenting it a way to keep me on track. And my life, well, harmonious as possible.

Hence why the name fits. I guess.

(Maybe this is why I didn't test into the right English class.)

Definition #1 is where I rest my case.

RECAP -- Basically, this is the blog of a confused college student who voices her thoughts to the public, even though she's not very good at it, to hopefully find the answers she's looking for. And the public possibly being absolutely no one. 

But aren't we all?

If you recognize this, you are worthy of a medal.

--Lissa Monica