Aurelia L. Castro

“Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace. The soul that knows it not, knows no release from little things: knows not the livid loneliness of fear, nor mountain heights where bitter joy can hear the sound of wings. How can Life grant us boon of living, compensate for dull grey ugliness and pregnant hate unless we dare the soul’s dominion? Each time we make a choice, we pay with courage to behold resistless day, and count it fair.” – Amelia Earhart

It was special to start my journey back home in the Philippines with my family. Enjoyed every part of it, while lookin’ forward for the days ahead.

Today I begin my 58-day journey. I will be traveling, visiting places, and people. Most exciting of all, I will be journeying into the vast landscape of my heart as I seek what’s next for me.

I saw this hardbound notebook at the bookshop the other day. Just perfect! Bought it for myself. I will write here my daily adventure.

As I travel around, I will be reading Amelia Earhart’s book (first published in 1928! ) “20 Hrs., 40 min (Our Flight in the Friendship)”.

She tells her story about her first Atlantic crossing, as a passenger. In 1932, she made her own historic solo feat. Sadly, she is best remembered for her disappearance in 1937 in the South Pacific. She’s a woman who dared to wander and wonder; to fly, fail, love, and live.

I had this book in my shelf  for couple of days now. I had to resist hard the urge to read it before my trip. Today, as I take my flight to Cebu, I shall allow myself the pleasure of getting into the pages of Amelia’s story!

“Ms. Aurelia, what’s your dream?” One of the 11-year-old girls in our digital storytelling workshop asked.

I was delighted, yet taken aback by the question.

Angel and I gave ideas for them to choose from for their digital story. We thought it would be great to encourage these young ones to discover and be bold about their dreams, to give them a place to speak out what they would like to be when they grow up.

It was interesting to hear their I-want-to-be stories.  We have upcoming astronaut, doctors, singers, flight attendants, and hip hop dancer in that workshop couple of weeks ago.

“Hmm…I’ve always wanted to be a writer and a teacher,” I replied.

“Oh, so I’ll read your first book then!”

I laughed, and reluctantly said, “Sure, thanks! I’ll send you a copy!”

The other girls raised their hands and screamed, “Me, too!”

Haha. I was put on the spot. My heart blushed. I thought I was there to do something for them. To help them make a digital story, of course. But more than the activity, I love the thought of making the girls think and own and sing out their dreams. So freely, boldly – they did. But it was a two-way thing. They have reminded me, pushed me, refreshed me with my dreams as well.

I went home beaming.

Help the underprivileged children in South Africa by donating your new or used children’s books at the Book Donation Drive from 1 July to 23 July 2010 at Sony Style - Orchard Central.

This project aims to bring books to teachers and children in remote South African schools who do not have access to such learning materials. Your simple gift will make a world of difference to those who need it.

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“Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless? Maybe, but what do dreams know of boundaries?” – Amelia Earhart

Today is my last day at work. I have resigned from my job here in Singapore after great four years. I am set to fly one of the oceans I am bound to fly!

If you ask what’s next for me? I will smile and tell you, “I don’t know.  Nothing is certain yet.”  What do dreams know of fears and uncertainties, after all? Amelia said, if it’s worth the risk you’re taking, then stop worrying!

My heart is inclined to pursue digital storytelling and other media-writing-related jobs on a full-time basis and a larger scale here in Singapore or somewhere else.

For the next couple of months, I will be on the road, on the sea, and on the sky! It’s going to be a 56-day journey for me. I will start by making a trip to the Philippines to see my family and friends. Shortly after that, I will be back in Singapore, then fly to the US! My colleague and friend, Angeline Koh, another “flyer”, will visit the Center for Digital Storytelling (CDS) in San Francisco (where digital storytelling began). In August, we will join a five-day Facilitators Intensive Training conducted by CDS in Denver. We will also conduct a three-day digital storytelling workshop with the Navigators in Colorado Springs and attend Via Affirmativa, a conference for people in the arts and media. Every summer, about a hundred art makers come together for a festival and a celebration of beauty and creativity. This year’s theme is “Unfolding Stories”.

Ah, yes, unfolding stories. Unfolding skies and oceans for me.

Here’s one of the digital stories produced in our workshop last April. One of my favourites.

“I will never forget Pete. He showed me that a person can be happy if he looks for the good in all things. He showed me that giving one’s best is the only way to do something. He showed me that judging other people only leads to unhappiness within. He showed me that a good beer is always better than a bad one. Most importantly, he showed me that being a true friend is the greatest gift a person can give. Pete may be gone from this world, but I try to be a little bit more like Pete each and every day.”

A story by Colin Emerson. Digital Storytelling Workshop, 8-10 April 2010. Singapore.

I will attend a Facilitator Intensive Training workshop (digital storytelling) in Lyons, Colorado in August this year! Of course, I’m excited for the workshop! The bonus is – the venue is at a farm (Stonebridge Farmgiving)!

An email from the facilitator says: “There may be bugs. So, bring bug repellant if bugs bother you. We WILL be on a farm, people. There are lovely things to do at the farm: walking, sitting by the creek, nearby hiking and, if you want, gardening! There is wireless internet access, but it is limited and in range.”

Lovely! I’m okay with the limited wireless Internet access. I think I would love to enjoy more the feel of the farm and just being there. ;-) Here’s a digital story about the farm. Inviting! ;-)

Stonebridge Farmgiving from Kayann Short on Vimeo.

“C’mon, get ANGRY. As it gets spicier, you get angrier.”

Yes, you read it right. Saw this ad on my way to Funan Center (City Hall) some time ago. Goodness. Didn’t make sense to me. This ad tells us to eat their spicy burger so we become angry and angrier. 

Unbelievable. Didn’t know that even in spicy burgers, people could create so much violence! It’s not about creativity. It’s not about an issue of freedom of expression.

It’s plain non-sense.

Why should I want to be angry? I know there are many legitimate reasons in life for me, or for all of us, to be angry about and get over them. But for eating a spicy burger? No, thank you. Tastes better? Sounds bitter.

Someone said, “For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”  Oh, well, life’s too short and too long for that!

“Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.” – Victor Hugo

“I have this husband since 1970 and frankly I am sick of him. I will gladly give him away. If you have any use, please contact me.”

I got this very unique offer few days ago on my email. Haha. That cracked me up.

I am a member of the Singapore Freecycle Network, a group that aims to reduce waste and share resources by connecting people who want to give and take away goods for free. :-) Members of this group receive emails for every item being offered or wanted (all for free).

A member replied to that husband offer and said, “Any chance I can pick ‘it’ up from nearest MRT?”

Of course, Singaporeans know how to joke, too!