When will kids be kids again?

I may not be rich when it comes to money, but I do believe I have lived my childhood just like a kid. I’ve cut enough leaves to make as cooking ingredient. I’ve run several times around the town’s plaza. I’ve gotten a number of bruises and scars all around my tiny body. I’ve been scolded so many times for going home late. I’ve cried more than I think I could because I did not win when we were playing jackstone. I made quite enough friends but a lot of enemies…see? the beauty of being a kid. When honesty was your only weapon, and candies were your only motivation…who would have thought life could be so simple and less expensive back then?

Now, kids are almost grown ups. They enjoy technology and do things that seemed to be not suitable for their early age. Gone are the days of playing outdoor games. No more running and playing hide and seek… Today, almost all of them enjoys talking to nobody just sitting at the corner with their PSP (and it is freakin’ expensive)

However not all kids are enjoying that kind of luxury. There are others who do not have time for themselves. Do not have weekend plans…and even birthday celebration. There kids who think more than an adult do. They are burdened by the fact that they must go into the streets in order to eat at least a meal a day…wuld you even call it a meal if it is just a water and a bread?

I’m always saddened by the fact that these children have skipped from a mere infant turned into a man in a boy’s body. I don’t blame anyone for their situation but if all of us would just give them the chance to be kids again, they could have been saved. How come we people can afford to buy laptops, cellular phones, shoes, bags and cars that would even cost a fortune but always hesitates to give these poor angles a piece of bread? What hurts me more is that even children now know how to criticize and discriminate other children.

My sister and I were eating at a fast food restaurant when I suddenly heard to young boys at the age of six or seven I guess. They were complaining that the smell of the playhouse stinks…and there were two boys not fully clothed just smiling and standing as all of the people watched them. The two young rich kids were yelling for the guard’s attention. The way they treat the street children, the way they try to humiliate them as if they were criminals. I even heard one of the rich kids saying that when they grow up and be a policeman they will put those kids in jail.

I really wanted to scold them, but their parents were there. As for the two street children, they kept on smiling just to avoid conflict and to hide the pain they felt the moment they were scrutinized.

After that incident, I was really troubled. I knew how kids were raised these days but I did not expect that they could that be brutal and heartless. I was lucky to be born earlier than they were. I do not care if I was not born with the amazing lifestyle technology brings. I am proud to be born during the transition period. At least I got to experience the primitive way of life. I got to have a glimpse on the traditions that made me who I am now. I may not be “techno kid” but at least I know that I do not have a robotic heart.

When I get to have a family of my own, I will surely not make the same mistakes parents of today’s generation made. I will not spoil them with material things nor let them wander in the streets.

Why not let your kids be kids again?

X-men Brought to Life

I am not an avid fan of X-men series, but I remember clearly how I wanted to be one of them. Mutants, I may say are interesting and their coolness is not of question. At first I only wanted to have wings even if it is dysfunctional. Then as I continue to watch until the Last Stand, and considered having some steels like Wolverine. After that, I also want my legs stretched in order to reach my desired height and have eyeballs permanently colored with green.

What I have in mind were seemed to be impossible when I was just five or six. I thought these things will never come to life, and I will only got to be one if I will be an actress and stars on X-men and other mutant shows or the world is will be simply crazy and people suddenly do weird stuffs.

I know that moment my thoughts were so out of the world but my so-called idealistic self was brought to reality. It did! Not because I became a movie star but it was when I did learn about Ripley’s Believe It or Not during my late elementary years and Bodymod.org. just now in college. And I concluded, I am the only mutant-wanna be left behind.

Everybody has horns, spikes and tattoos all over their body while I was stuck with mere ear piercings, they are not even tunnels. I was really devastated. How come they have the same idea like me? I am not telling they stole my dreams…or should I call frustrations but the fact that there are people who undergo body modification is indeed incredible which makes me envious.

Envious in the sense that, it could have done it too but why am I not doing anything to have wings or little spikes on my head?Then these random thoughts pops on my head.

It is really surprising to know, that there are people who would pay just to look like a leopard or cat. Or to have their body fill with holes like Spongebob.

I once saw a picture of a girl with a very small waistline which I think is really pretty but made me question if it will not be difficult once she get pregnant and would it affect her child’s development? Or does she even have a plan to be a mother?

Then when I saw a picture of guy with a tunnels on his nose it made me ask my friends if what happens when he sneeze. How about a guy fill with lip piercing? It made me wonder how will he kiss his wife.

I have anything against body modification, just what I have said earlier, I am a fan of mutants. But why would I not try to do extreme things on myself given the technologies and instruments that could make me one of them? I only have one answer things should have a purpose.

I am not saying that doing any form of body modification such as tattoos, piercings, implants, branding, scarifications and other practices for whatever reasons may it be aesthetic or cultural is wrong. Since I myself is guilty of having one which is through piercings plus the fact that body mod is practiced by different religions and cultures.

All I am thinking is that, every body modification that I want should serve something or at least it is really because I want to, not because they tell me it is cool.

I honestly wanted to have a tattoo of my love ones on my back and arms to serve as a memory enhancer and if I get amnesia, there is no chance of not remembering them. But I could not do it now. Why not? Considering how free the university is, I still have my future plans and work is one of my considerations. But I am not saying I will never do that because eventually I will, in the right time and of course with the right names to have as designs.

For now, all I can do is watch these unique people because they made me realised that nothing in this time, is impossible. And with a smile of contentment, seeing them and getting to know some has brought X-men into life which I guess is the craziest and coolest thing man have ever did.