Day 24 – A book that you wish more people would’ve read

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

This book may probably be one of the most controversial memoirs ever written. It’s not because of the theme or the content or writing style, it was because the author allegedly fabricated most of the events that he supposedly experienced while he was in a treatment facility.

But I don’t really care about that. Get past the issues surrounding this book and try to just read like it’s another fictional book. I have read this two years ago and I must say, fiction or not, this book is genuine in terms of how it depicted the destruction of a man’s life and his journey to reconstructing it. It was a story of how an alcoholic drug-addict find solace and friendship in a very unlikely place. Yes, there are a lot of books telling people’s account of how their lives in rehabilitation programs changed them for the better. Counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, friends and loved ones are what usually influenced them to find light. That’s where this book is different. In Frey’s story, it was his own self who was accountable for the crumbling of his life. He never blamed anyone. Contrary to his counselors’ treatment advice, he believed that it was his wrong choices and bad decisions that led him to this wasted life. He took the responsibility of his actions and faced the consequences and from there, he begin to try and overcome his problems.

I wish more people would read this book since it’s a very first-hand account of what it’s like to be in a rehabilitation program. Fabricated or not, readers would be able to have a look on the struggles people experience inside these kinds of facilities. Not only was the treatment plans explained, but also the extent the addicts go through to punish themselves for every mistake they’ve done. It’s painful, inspirational, and eye-opening. It is so very honest and the emotions were so raw.

I think if more people read about this, they could somehow understand the hardship these people go through. Yes, they did things that were wrong, but that doesn’t mean that we should condemn them forever. They are human beings and they also feel pain, fear and agony. And that is the reason why we shouldn’t judge them for one mistake they did.  

Fifty Shades of Utter Disappointment.

Despite reading a lot of negative reviews from different sources, I started reading Fifty Shades of Grey last night. It’s not that I actually liked the premise I got from the summary, no. I am just curious about what really is the reason behind such disappointment. Plus there are also a number of people who gave it positive responses. And so I gave it a try, just to know if it’s a good book or not.

I wasn’t even past a hundred pages when I decided to stop reading. I am not a conservative nor innocent regarding the issue of sex, but this novel is just too graphic for my taste. I know it’s categorized as erotica but the book just seem to have no other substance other than the sex. As I’ve said a few times before, I do watch porn and it doesn’t bother me. But then for a book to have this great deal of detailing, I just cannot handle it. It’s basically porn made into a book. The characters were so perverted and cannot seem to think of anything but sex. The lead character blushes at the slightest sexual reference, getting so lost in her dirty imaginations. I tried browsing to see if the story would change or the sex would somehow get toned down, but no. So I guess I don’t really want to continue reading more sexual expeditions since the scenes were a bit cliche. And did I mention that the words in th ebook as so repetitive? I was like “Uhm, excuse me? Can’t you think of other words and expressions to use?” 

For me, it seemed ridiculous. It’s like a peek on the diary of a man’s desperate sexual fantasy. It’s like reading a porn blog. I think the people who loved the story should just go out and get laid or watch porn and jerk off. I mean, it’s a bit offensive, I’m sorry, but it’s true. A lot of people would hate me for this but I think this book was better off as the fanfiction it was before. I just wish there is some restriction as to who can purchase the book. I think I don’t like the idea of 13 year-olds getting the hands on this book and reading it. All in all, I think this kind of book isn’t really my cup of tea. 

Look at what I’ve been studying about.

lalalalalalala… a tinee tiny PENIS!! lol

Yeah, we have an Anatomy quiz tomorrow about the perineum (part of the body that contains the reproductive organs). Trust me, it was so weird dissecting a dead man’s penis during our Anatomy Lab time. No one wants to do it. Our male classmates said that it was sacrilege and the females, wouldn’t even touch it. But it has to be done, so in the end, one of our male groupmates did the the dissection. And oh yes, now I am staring at a bunch of pictures of penises and vaginas. Both drawings or actual ones. And I have to memorize the parts. And even learn the mechanisms of erection. How weird. Haha. Well, this is a PT’s life. Got to get past the awkward reproductive organs. As for me, I didn’t have that awkward phase. It’s actually fine with me. I mean, I’ve watched enough porn before so I’m kinda used to how the “thing” looks. During in our lab, I just touch it and point out the different parts, like it’s the most normal thing to do. Lalalala.    

Penile implants.

This may sound a little awkward and gross to others, but in our course, this kind of discussion is normal. So here’s the deal:

We just finished dissecting the genitals of our male cadavers during Anatomy Lab class. Basically, it was done by cutting the penis into two by a sagittal section. Of course, it was very weird since none of us, both the girls and the boys, wanted to do the cutting. For the guys, it was because they cannot stand to see their “sacred” part being sliced into two. If you could only see how they cringe as the cut was made, you’d probably laugh. As for the girls, we were quite embarrassed to look and touch that part, more so do the dissecting. But then things must be done and a guy from our group braved up and did it with the professor assisting him.

So all was well until we started studying the parts. It was then that we saw something off about the said genitalia. There’s this ring-like structure, like a gluestick you use for glue guns, around the shaft just below the head of the penis. Of course we don’t know what it was, just that it was not supposed to be there, because it was not in the atlas. So we asked our professors what it was. The first two professors we asked just looked at each other and laughed, but they did not tell us what it was. And then we asked another one and luckily he answered. He said it was a bolitas or penile implant. It was made of silicon and it was supposed to increase sexual performance. So that explained why the two other professors looked at it weirdly. Apparently, it was inserted there via surgical procedures. And mind you, these procedures aren’t exactly proven and approved by doctors. Penile implants to some extent are helpful especially during penile fractures, which it is inserted not around but along the shaft to fix the injured part. Our professor said that this kind of implant is dangerous and may cause infections.

So yeah, we were just shocked. We never knew that we could find something as weird as that. I mean, really, how many times will you ever see a penis cut open? Oh well, Anatomy is Anatomy and we cannot do anything about it, no matter how crazy it gets. 

Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen

Scarlett and Halley have been best friends for quite a long time. They’ve been with each other for so long, that they’re practically sisters. 

Scarlett is the more outgoing one. She is good in interacting with people, easily made friends in school and is actually considered popular. She is the stronger one of the two. She takes care of her single mother. She is the one who consoles Halley when things went bad. Halley, on the other hand is the shy type. She is not very sociable. Before she met Scarlett, she’s almost invisible in school. She is the good kid, close to both her parents and play by the rules. This may be because of her mother being a successful therapist. She is usually referred to as Scarlett’s bestfriend and she was fine with that. 

Everything was that way until Michael, Scarlett’s boyfriend, died in a motorcycle accident. Suddenly, it was Halley who needs to be there for Scarlett. Halley was now the shoulder to cry on, the strength Scarlett needed. And just when they are trying to move on, another problem surfaced. Scarlett is pregnant with Michael’s baby. 

With all that, Halley and Scarlett struggled through their life trying to live as normal as possible. They work so hard to make end meet and find comfort with each other. Scarlett decided to keep the baby and Halley promised to support her decision through it all. Things went good for both of them. 
And then Halley met Macon, Michael’s best friend, and started to fall for him. The two began dating and ended up together. Things were well but then Halley started to change. Macon influenced her to cut classes, go to some parties, smoke and drink. This didn’t go unnoticed by her mother, and the usual inseparable pair drifted apart. 

Will Halley be able to realize that her life is slowly crumbling as she became closer to Macon? Will Scarlett be able to reach through her, to pull her back to her senses before the worst comes? Will their friendship withstand all the problems they have to deal with? In this Sarah Dessen book, another gripping issue about teenagers is tackled. At what point is a girl ready to give up her precious virginity? Is it really an essential thing to do in order to maintain a relationship? Yes, this book is all about love, friendship, trust, virginity, family and responsibilities. At such young age, Halley and Scarlett will learn how much they need each other and how to value themselves above all else. Sometimes, we have to be hurt in order to realize our mistakes and gain something from the experience. 

It’s an overall 3.5/5 for me.

Someone’s watching porn. Guess who?

…

Just let them be.

I am watching the news documentary today in ABSCBN. It’s about homosexual teens and children. I get more and more irritated as I hear more about this issue. It’s not becaase I hate gay people. It’s because I don’t think it’s much of a big deal. I mean, they are gay, lesbian, whatever. SO? What the hell is the problem? They are still human beings no matter what their preference are. Is being homosexual really that bad? Worse than being murderers, criminals? I think killing people is more inhumane than being homosexual. I really pity those ones who cannot accept these people. Bullying, harassing homosexuals won’t make you any better person. That would make you even less of a person. Laughing, making fun of them, seeing them as pests. My God. Who are you to judge? What the hell did they do to you to act like that? Just respect them, or if you can’t, leave them alone. Mind your own business and just let them be. For all I know, we are all equal. And don’t say that it’s against the bible or any other religion. It is never wrong to treat other people righteously. They are the same as any other human being. They have family, friends, loved ones, just like us. Accept them for who they are. They exist as much as we do. We cannot do anything more about it. So let us leave them all in peace. RESPECT GUYS, RESPECT.

Sex Sex Sex. Psssh.

What would it be like if our country is open to the issue of sex? If people would not cringe, flinch or snicker when words like sex, penis, vagina, cock, clit or whatever else is mentioned. Because at this point, I am getting irritated with people who call themselves “innocent”. I don’t believe that they are. I call them “pa-virgin”. Sometimes I think it’s immature when they react like these things are gross or something funny. Hello? These are your body parts for God’s sake! Sex is an act that is natural to everyone, even to animals. It’s the reason you are conceived and alive today. I get it if you’re between the ages 0-15, it would be too weird to grasp fullr. 16 or 17 even. But if you’re already 18 or older, laughing at these matters is very childish. You are an adult, if you don’t already know. Maybe this is the reason why we are so uneducated about sex. Maybe it is why people keep doing irresponsible things. Because they think it’s just something to laugh at, a joke. Keep in mind that as adults, we’re supposed to act like one. Younger ones learn from us, they look up to us. What’s wrong if you overheard your friends or classmates talking about sex, virginity, porn, or whatnots? Those people have open minds that don’t judge easily. It doesn’t mean that they are sluts or sex addicts. They are just comfortable talking about those things. So please don’t look at them like they are some weirdos who are unacceptable and contagious. 

I don’t get it.

So we had our Marriage and Family class and we were talking about the roles of men and women in the society. I was curious about our professor’s stand regarding the LGBTQ community so I asked her. She told us that she respects these people, that they are Christians too. And then she said that we should accept them for who they are but we should also help them go back to the right ways which is instilled by the church. Isn’t that just very contradictory? I mean, how could you say that you respect them for their choices in life when you want to help them be “straight” again because it is what you believe to be right? Isn’t that wanting to change their ways and disrespecting their preferences?! Damn. I never had a subject that I dreaded attending to before, not even those brain-draining Chemistry class. I just think that this subject is unnecessary and stupid and very insensitive. I know for a fact that I am studying in the Catholic University of the Philippines, but that does not mean that I agree with all these shit that the church instills to us. Really, who are we to know what is right ad what is wrong with people? What are our basis for these judgments?