DISCLAIMER: The following note is not for people who are easily offended.

I was lying idly on my sister’s bed waiting for time to pass when I thought how ridiculous one could get when he or she succumbs to a fad. Or to make it sound classier, pop culture. I am not a hypocrite not to admit that I have been terribly agog over what’s in a couple of times. I confess with all my heart, soul and dignity that there are those moments that I could not care less what others would think if I let myself go with the flow and just go crazy over some thing.

When I was in fourth grade, I was hopelessly a Harry Potter/Daniel Radcliffe fan. I downloaded movie clips (There was no broadband then. Imagine that!), printed out pages of colored high quality pictures, memorized movie lines, visited every other Harry Potter/Daniel Radcliffe fan site, cut out Harry Potter movie ad from a newspaper glued it on a piece of cardboard and put it under my pillow; I joined Harry Potter forums and met my first foreigner friend who was a 16-year-old German girl named Nati while at it, we exchanged e-mails, wrote letters and sent pictures, and I also bought a poster book of the whole Harry Potter cast which is now under piles and piles of paperwork.

My innate fan girl-ness was fully tested when I was in sixth grade. It was the start of what has now become the biggest milking cows for local channels and the beginning of an entirely new fad of boys rocking long ironed hair, school girls flashing annoying peace signs, and incomprehensible foreign songs topping music hit charts. I loved F4 with all my heart I even attended their concert in Ultra. I was also a victim of elephant pants, Skechers sneakers, sticky caps texting, and lots of Jolina-like accessories. God, those were ridiculous and I would never want to go back.

Fortunately though, I am on the other side, most of the times, laughing my ass off as if I am the greatest, holiest person in this damned world. I am now more choosy on what trends to follow so as to minimize scary embarrassing memories. I now know better and I still can’t understand the fuss over being like everyone else when you could just be you.

Still lying on my back, I looked back over what happened during the past two years or so and mentally listed down the crazes and trends I thankfully did not give in. Let me enumerate them for you. Note: In random order.

1) Colored skinny jeans – yellow, purple, green, blue, pink, red. At the earlier stages of this still unwavering fad, I fancied owning a purple pair. Thanks to some divine intervention I was saved from social suicide and total ego downer. I am eternally grateful to the little angels who whispered at me that colored skinny jeans would never look good on me and are such eye sores. Kudos to those who wear yellow. God knows how confident you must be to pull that off.

2) Digital perm. I am more than thankful for my straight-flat-volumeless-sometimes-irritating hair. I nearly considered having my ends curled when I wanted to change my hairstyle. But I figured it would just make me look fatter and would damage my au naturale locks. And doesn’t it just look so artificial? I prefer wavy over extreme curly.

3) Rebond/Relax. I did not give into this because I don’t need it. Oh, I could now see the moon. Please pull me back in. Anyway, screw those shampoo commercials for lasering on our minds that straight hair is beautiful. Curls are pretty! I even put my hair in a bun just so I could achieve a wavy hairdo. Those rebond/relax chemicals burn your scalp! And after a few months, I could instantly point out who had a rebond/relax because there’s a fine division between the natural not-so-straight roots and the fake ends. Girls, kindly stop rebonding/relaxing, it’s gonna kill your hair. No one wants dry brittle hair.

4) Havaianas. I do not own a pair. If you ever see me wearing one, it’s my mother’s and it was a gift from her friend. I am puzzled, even dumbfounded by the mystery of that 900-peso piece of rubber. Okay, Havs fanatics, I know it’s not 900, some are only around 600 Php. But hey, they have over a thousand! Do not tell me it’s comfortable and shit, it’s a freaking pair of slippers! And with that price, you could probably just buy some decent pair of flats. I am totally bothered by the long lines outside Havaianas outlet stores. Do you really have to be slaves of Havaianas? You guys are pathetic. I’ve tried it and it’s not worth my ten minutes time of waiting in line just to get in the store.

5) Crocs = ridiculous, bizarre, absurd, dangerous, unreasonable, funny. Have not tried wearing one but I used to want to own one just because I think it’s good for the rainy season. But ever since I found a pair of rubber sandals that is built for the rain that’s half Crocs’ price, I have resumed my dislike for Crocs. And no, it’s not fake Crocs. I think they’re very innovative, though, with the varied designs. The flats are enticing. But, no thank you.

6) Ballers. I don’t mind people wearing one or two. But have you seen those kids with arms you could barely see because of layers and layers of multicolored ballers? So cool.

7) Starbucks stickerathon. I have a 2008 Starbucks planner which I received as a Christmas gift from my godmother. After that, I kind of wanted to purchase one for myself for the following year. However, Starbucks totally screwed up the design from a leather planner with pretty pages to a hardbound one. So I deferred. This year, my expectations have also not been met. Now, I don’t understand why people still go gaga over the planners after two consecutive so-so designs. To get a Starbucks planner, you have to purchase over 2000 Php worth of fat, sugar, calorie laden drinks. I’d rather buy a Moleskine journal, same price minus the weight gain.

Ako Mismo. I find it corny with the dog tags and shiz. I don’t know, maybe it’s just not my thing. I am a registered voter so don’t kill me. I’m not entirely sure if it’s a fad and if a lot of people are into this, but I see quite a few so, yeah.

9) Blairbands. Those pesky headbands with a ginormous ribbon/flower/feather that Blair Waldorf was famous for. They look cute for parties with themes, but not for everyday use.

My sleepy brain could not remember any other and I might be missing some other things. But these eight things are on top of my mind, so I guess they bother me the most. In case you’re wondering why asianovelas are not on the list despite it being disliked by many, I actually watch and like a few and I will not defend them to you, dear reader, in case you refute my interest. I have friends and know people who are into the things on the list, but I love them still. To each his own.

I think the most frustrating thing about trends and fads apart from its omnipresent nature is how they make people want to be alike when we are actually unique individuals. Sometimes joining the bandwagon becomes a measure of a person or it defines who you are. It might be fun being in, but when things become too absurd, you might want to reconsider.

*cough* Havs *cough*