My cousin's only daughter killed herself a few days ago. She was only 10.

I never got to meet her, but I know my cousin loved her immensely. At the last family vacation/reunion in the Philippines, he told me sister and me,

"I'm filming a video for my daughter, Anella. Can you say something to the camera for her?"

Of course, my sister and I were happy to oblige. We also expressed the hope that we would get to meet her one day. That was 4 years ago.

So many thoughts are running through my mind. I just wanted to get some of them down on here. I'm really confused right now. I have questions, but I fear there is no answer for them. Wherever she is, I hope she has peace. Rest in peace, Anella. I'm sorry I never got to meet you. I know I would have loved you as much as I love my cousin. I hope you have the peace you sought so desperately in this life.

There's so many movies I can watch over again! And I have to narrow it down to one?

Ok, I pick Pan's Labyrinth. I love the story of this movie. It's a bit gory in some parts, but it's crucial to the story line. I think the Spanish language is so gorgeous. I wish I could speak it fluently. And this is actually Spanish from Spain (not North American/Southern American Spanish). So they use a conjugate of "you all"--kind of like the American Southern, "y'all". It's so purty to my ears.

And I love the actors and actresses in this movie. They were so good for their roles. The movie has a wonderful soundtrack and the special effects are so good--but it doesn't detract from the storyline; only enhances it.

I got the Spanish words for "my prince" from this movie. I call my son my little prince, and since he is also Spanish, I like to call him "my prince" in Espanol.

I don't own this movie, but I watch it all the time on Netflix. I'm definitely on the lookout for a copy.

Runners Up: "Memories of a Geisha"and "Moulin Rouge" (my favorite musical).
   

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1. In the year 2005, I took a trip to the Philippines to visit my family. I was astounded by the level of pollution present there. The river that my father grew up swimming in was brown. I missed the sight of green grass and trees. I knew I wanted to enter into a career where I could help the environment. I have declared my major in Engineering and I'm going to be an environmental engineer. I want to help people coexist with their surroundings, I'm interested in working on systems and designs that would reduce pollution. That trip to the Philippines planted in me the roots of my dream career. It also made me aware of Mother Earth's plight and I behave in the greenest ways possible.

2. In 2006, I graduated valedictorian of my high school class. I've always been driven and studious. I set high goals for myself and receiving that medal was a realization of those goals. I'm sure it cost me a couple of years off my life, but I believe in the merits of hard work. I don't like to laze around, but I do know how to relax and unwind.

3. In 2008, my son was born. Being a mother has redefined me so much within the past year. My capacity for patience and understanding increased exponentially. I've stayed up late to study, do homework, or even hang with friends, but that is nothing compared to having a child cry all hours of the night--when you can't sleep for days at a time. I learned how to be meek and ask for help. For the first time in my life, I truly understand my own mother. I look back and see I could have treated her better and having a child of my own has made me be a better daughter to my mother. I saw how weak I could be, but also the strength I could amass in the very next instant. And all for the love of my child. I know how different my life would be if I chose to stay in college rather than start a family. I chose to enroll full-time in the School of Life, hehe. But I like this life better and I appreciate how being a mother has made me who I am today.

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