WHO'S XAVIERA? (BLOG #001)

Hi, wonderful and amazing people! Meet Xaviera. Who's Xaviera? I'm Xaviera! I'm a first-year BS psychology student, and my full name is Xaviera Riz Pelayo Casinillo. I recently celebrated my 18th birthday last month, September 07. Proudly originating from the gorgeous Philippines, and I wear my Filipino pride like a dazzling badge. I love diving into a smorgasbord of fun activities, whether I’m fidgeting to stay occupied or unleashing my inner Picasso! Here’s a peek at some of my all-time favorite pastimes!

ARTS

Are you familiar with sublimation as a defense mechanism? It involves transforming your emotions into something beneficial and socially acceptable. When I'm troubled and my heart feels heavy, and tears alone can't alleviate the pain, I reach for my paper and pen. I channel my feelings into art, which can take many forms. It might be a vibrant painting or a striking black-and-white portrait. I think that art can emerge from the simplest of lines and scribbles, as long as love is poured from your heart into the creation. The very essence and journey of crafting art spark a fire in my imagination and envelop my spirit in a soothing embrace, which is why it holds such a treasured place within me. The thrill that I feel scrolling through Pinterest looking for references. The problem-solving and resourcefulness abilities that I enhance as I look for alternative materials to make my art. The back pain that I get after spending hours sitting on my chair, facing my desk, and drawing. Each moment spent dedicated to my passion is just as equally rewarding as the outcome. While others may not embrace my crafted wonders, I stand apart, and that distinction is what truly matters.

LEARNING

One of my hobbies now is learning, though not the kind traditionally done at school. In fact, this journey of learning has only just begun for me. It is the delicate practice of being kind to myself. Learning to appreciate the beauty of things without feeling like lying. Learning how to not feel like I'm betraying my own sanity every time I taste food and actually swallowing them without throwing up. I am learning how to say no and when to say yes. I'm learning not to give up. I adore showering love on others and spotting their inner rock stars, but first, I’ve got to be my own biggest fan. Therefore, I’m diving deep into self-love, and that is what I'm learning now. I'm learning how to be genuinely happy without feeling the crippling anxiety of what might happen next. I'm learning how to build a strong foundation and sense of identity as the groundwork for even deeper connections with those who grace my life. Therefore, I believe it's fair to say that you will be following along as I share how I integrate my learning journey into my daily activities. We've all been hurt, and we might be all still hurting. In my blog, I will make sure to inspire us all to persevere. Happy Mental Health Month, amazing people! We got this!

WRITING

Some people think I'm a word wizard, but I still trip over my own sentences when it comes to writing. I may not have an exceptional vocabulary, but I do hold a passion that's so intertwined in me. A passion for poems that untangle the tempest of my thoughts and the flood of emotions within. A passion for weaving stories that breathe life into the vivid realms of my imagination. Writing is a wonderful form of literature. Some might say that writing is exclusively for the intelligent and wise, and I view that narrative to be untrue. Writing is for those who wish to share their thoughts, for those who wish to lessen the pain, for those who wish to be heard, and for those who write because they feel like. I write because I advocate that we can do everything we put our mind into, regardless of the level of excellence we're currently at. Writing has been my other form of therapy, and I write to express myself. My writing may not always be as imaginative or flowery as what you might find elsewhere, but what I write is a representation of pieces of my soul, and I won't let something or someone hinder me from improving how I use my words into crafting a masterpiece. Writing is a journey, and each sentence is an opportunity for us to improve.

SPEAKING

Another way to appreciate my voice is to love it every time I speak. I love speaking, be it before an audience or in the solitude of a mirror. Whether I do it confidently with the right tone and pacing, or when I do it even when my voice is cracking from nervousness. I never truly recognized my passion for speaking until I paused, reflecting on the myriad moments where I have shared my gift and artistry with those around me. My love for speaking has made me speak in front of the class during oral recitation, reporting, and presentation, being the master of ceremony, spoken poetry, declamation, debate, theater acting, and even in television scriptwriting and broadcasting during the 2024 division and regional schools press conference. Being able to speak is both a privilege and a leverage that I always appreciate. I speak not only because I want to be heard but also because I want to be the voice for those who are voiceless. I want to be the one to scream when everyone is being suppressed by their fear of speaking up, and I will stand up in situations even when it's easier to sit down. Just like any other thing that I love doing, speaking is not just my hobby; it is a tool that I ought to use wisely.

BEAUTY AND FASHION

As a teenager in this generation, I empower each one of us, amazing people, to express ourselves freely as we cast aside the searing doubts that may flicker in the minds of those around us. No words could ever explain how much I love doing make-up and choosing different outfits to pair it with. Though my wardrobe may not overflow with countless garments or different shades of lipsticks, blushes, and eyeshadows, nothing can dim my love to express my creativity and present myself with grace. I love makeup so much that I even do it anytime of the day. I do my make-up when it's morning, afternoon, evening, or even at midnight when I can't sleep. I prefer to select clothing that reflects my personality, allowing me to truly express myself and feel authentic. Self-expression is the beginning of self-love, and I choose to love myself. We all deserve to feel comfortable with whatever we have on. Together, let's embrace the beauty of different styles and rock our own fabulous flair confidently.

REASON FOR JOINING HIVE AND MY CONTRIBUTION

I have heard an insanely amount of beautiful feedbacks and experiences from my friends and I couldn't help but get curious to what hive is all about. I am here today, joining this community because I also want to experience the greatness of being able to freely express myself without judgement while admiring the different experiences of others. Being exposed to various journey of different people in the same community is nothing but pure happiness to me. I know I can learn a lot from hive. I'm pouring my all honesty that I will contribute the same positivity and treatment that I'll receive and be genuinely me. In addition, this is also an opportunity for me to borderlessly talk about myself. I want to fearlessly share what makes my heart happy. I am here because I want this to be my dairy, but not the one that is so private. I have always wanted to talk about how my day went and what lessons I've learned from my experiences. I also want to aspire people to see the beauty behind a chaotic moment, and understand that there are also negativities behind a seemingly perfect picture. It is also undeniable that in doing so, I can also enhance my way of writing and strengthen my love for reading. Knowing and being part of Hive is a blessing that I will eternally be grateful for. I am not here because I want all its benefits, but I am here because I also want to contribute. I want to contribute my passion and show genuine interest to the writings and contributions of other members in this community. Aside from the support that I will give wholeheartedly, I will also make sure to help this community the best that I can by not breaking any rules and regulations. My friends did something to me that changed a part of my life for the better. Each engaging feedbacks that I heard pushed me a little further to join Hive, and now I'm finally here.

WHO INTRODUCED ME TO HIVE

We were at the library, doing schoolwork together with my classmates, and suddenly, @iamlovelykate. We had a random conversation and had suddenly fallen into the topic of Hive. She asked me if I was into writing, and for a moment, I was hesitant to express my enthusiasm, but I just couldn't hide my love for writing. She shared her great experiences in Hive, and it made me want to know more. I showered her with a storm of questions, and she answered each one of them like a pirate who's prepared for everything. Because of her, I attended the webinar orientation done by the most amazing @jeannmazing . She oriented me and other Hive enthusiast, showering us with her wisdom on how to join this amazing community. Not only that, but she also discussed the rules, regulations, and other essential details that are vital to know. No words could ever explain how grateful I am to be oriented by a person who's very approachable and considerate—what an amazing soul indeed. In addition,@rrruelyn and @applejane really did inspired me to start writing my introduction blog in order to be officially part of Hive and they never failed to show support for our journey in this community. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't find my peace in this community. Being here is a home where I can be who I really am. Thank you, @iamlovelykate, @jeannmazing , @rrruelyn , @applejane .