Toni,

Hello, and congratulations on graduating.

I guess you could say I had a difficult time writing this letterwhat
to say and how to say it. I had to go back to Livejournal to try and
understand just exactly what was going on at the time of
graduation. I want to say the words that will bring justice to all the
unnecessary aggravation you are and will be experiencing.
But I suppose I cant. The truth is everyone has already told you all
you need to know: Work for the government, love yourself, and
stand on your own. Anything here on out is repetition and waste.
But I hope this will bring you some semblance of comfort: the fact
that I dont have to say anything to you about all those shitty breakup pains means that you will get through it. Youre smart and youre
going to find that out for yourself soon enough.
Life will open up in many ways without you intending it to. You will
be surprised at just how much you have never experienced, and
that the past four years of college could not even aggregate into a
fraction of all that is to come in the next two years. I can only offer
you so much from this letter and hope that it guides you along the
way.
First point: Listen to the noise. Many times you will be tempted to
shut out the noise in order to maintain the illusion of order. Listen to
the sound and fury and remember that it always signifies
something. You will be in an advantageous position, working for the
government but still emphatic to the grievances outside of it. You
will be tempted to shut out the opinions of others or quit your job in
frustration. Stay focused. True dialogue and discourse happens
when two sides come together with mutual respect for the other.
Second, suspect your silence. Life will take sharp turns and
sometimes you may be unprepared. Many times you will find
yourself pushed to silence because of things like fear and anxiety.
This should not be the case. Suspect the chains that bind you and
find a way out. There is always a way out. When life gets
overwhelming, reject the knee-jerk reaction to hide. Instead, read
and write. Listen to yourself speak, even if nobody is listening. Talk
yourself out of the silence.
Third, be kind. The best decisions you will ever make will be the
times you choose to be kind. Work can isolate you from others, but
you will find that the best course of action is always kindness. Reach
out to those who you feel need it. Be kind even if the situation
doesnt call for it. Reach out to those you have wronged, and find
that reconciliation begins with the smallest gesture.

Fourth point: Be open. You will experience life in new and profound
ways by that first decision to be open to it. Think mountain summits,
quiet beaches, and long bus rides along the North Luzon
Expressway. Maybe even a new tattoo, a few sprains, but always a
beautiful view. I wont delve into the details, because youll find out
for yourself just how amazing the Philippines is.
Finally, be free. Biggest spoiler of them all is that love comes exactly
at the moment you stop looking for it. So the earlier you let go of
the urge to have someone to hold your hand or take you out on
dates, even better. This love will come at you chest-out, arms wide
open, and with the warmest smile you ever did see, one
unsuspecting day atop a misty mountaintop. It will be worth it and
more.
Dont forget that on December 13, 2013, Beyonc is dropping a
secret album with music videos for each song. Talk about it with
Gisella Velascoit will change your life.
P.S.: Fly Art Productions abbreviated is FAP. Think harder.
Yours, always,
Toni