Facebook Addiction

I am sure. I was a Facebook addict. In this contemporary world, where innovations of technologies are fast paced, it is not surprising how a simple www dot com has changed every peoples lives. How could anyone forget the PLDT commercial of a lola saying in front of her PC "like like like like like like. Who the heck in this world doesnt have a Facebook account anyway? Every kanto has internet caf and for all we know may bakante kuya? has become the traditional welcome greeting of every patron pushing their luck. However, Wifi hotspots are always available, and anyone can feel free to flaunt their laptops with glowing bit out apple logo. Amidst the ongoing popular demand of social networks sites like Facebook, where communicating with friends is just a click away and enjoying different want-to-sawa applications are nothing but always at the end of every fingertips, one could ponder how life now becomes easier because of Facebook. I admit as if some of you too, I know, could never imagine himself how life would be without Facebook. Facebook seems to be a part of my system-- a living organ adjoined within me that my brain compels to stimulate neurotransmitters to regulate its behavior to update my Facebook status from time-to-time to time-to-time. From a simple off to school or having lunch at up to the deepest and profoundest statuses when confronted by extraordinary, heart breaking and ever-overwhelming instances of life, Facebook has become the shock absorber and a flushing toilet of volatile emotions of people from different walks of life. I felt a certain high whenever I liberate every click on the page, how eager I am to post my status whenever I am happy or whenever I am in pain, and whenever someone likes, a pint of bizarre jubilee splashed in my consciousness. I think its more than the feeling of high I guess, when I see my eyes screwed on the monitor, my hand glued on the mouse clicking links monotonously-- its ecstasy, an overwhelming frenzy, a wild excitement within me that could burst every time I hit that blue button that says Post. The experience would somehow be briefedlets call it, as some would say banging-Facebook addiction. Even my friends dog has it, and note he has more than 500 friends and counting! LOL Its hard to admit that am, a Facebook addict, or worse a maniac, would make these revelations on hand. How could an addict admit that he is, in one way or another, a Mark Zuckerbergs statuette? I am not as crazy as that, I am only crazy with Fac_book though. But people would say everything that is extreme is dangerous. Everything has its limitations, a danger zone, like a police do-not-cross tag lines in every crime scenes. And as I just let myself crossed beyond boundaries, quagmires where I find myself then, the more I stir all the more I sink in.

I know, this is more than a confession to make, more than a reality, a whim, or a peculiarity whatsoever. All these craps started when I caught myself one night in front of my newly bought laptop. I could not contain the joy in my heart when I learned that Mama bought me a laptop in exchange for my good performance in school. This is the only thing that I have been dreaming for all my life, dreaming in a sense that I could not even push myself to hit the sack every night for the fear that someone may popped up looking for chats. I know I was going obsessed. I am now on my senior years in college, far from dreaming of sleeping, cause the reality is, the atmosphere has not been less hard to breathe. Paper works are flooding like cars in traffic. I know its time to pull my sleeves up, to do the best that I can, to push my efforts, at last to the brimto make my parents at least proud at my commencement exercises. I know they bought me what I wanted because I know there is a need, a need to be at least the best student in class. They have been expecting too much from me, however my greatest fear in life is the thought of failing someones expectations or worse, failing your own expectations because of compromise.

I had a firm gripped in my heart that I could even exchange my thesis proposal playing Empire and Allies instead, invading empires and making neighbor visits was inevitable. My evening rest for a wild time Tetris Battle until 3 am (the devils hour) looking for ambitious opponent who can beat my top score, worse, my soul for not praying before I slept because the thing there was, I didnt sleep anymore and didnt even bother to at least pray for my spiritual upheaval. I would rather post it and let the world hear it and then wished that God would just like it as if a typical Facebook friend always does. Amazing! But pathetic.

I realized I need a rehab. A must-rehab. But I dont need a expensive program, cause all I need is nothing but discipline. My rehabilitation started August 21 2011, I promised myself not to use Facebook for 30 days. I tried to compose myself and let the thought settle at a snail's pace at the bottom of my notice. No Facebook. A pitch-dark decision and I feared that this could even mess me up and lead me to somewhere I am not supposed to be going. Day 1. Facebook is plainly nailed in my mind, how many likes did I get now from my last post? or what if someone has tagged me? I was literally out of my right mind. Day 5. I felt my muscles tremble incessantly every time I came across an internet caf. People bothered me with their questions. Bat di kana nagoonline, send ka gift ha? I shrugged my shoulders and said boring na kasi ang Facebook. All of a sudden, I realized, I was the greatest liar I could ever think myself of.

Day 10. I got annoyed when people talk about their shares on Facebook and their updated photo albums. And how I wished to be tagged in somehow. Talk about photos! I definitely signed myself to be a member of camwhores club. If that stuff really existed. Day 15. I hated KC on her shampoo commercials, she never failed to give me the slightest goose bumps. She definitely induces my agitation to like her product. Day 20. I resented myself for making myself pathetic. What is this nonsense all about? Do I need to prove myself to myself? I know I was going crazy. I soon realized I was becoming too playful cuddling my mind to stop all these claptrap. But my conscience screamed me to hold on. I went on each day, but I didnt know until when I will take my ground keep. Day 25. Finally, I attempted to open my Facebook account but when I was about to click log in, I clicked the closed button instead. I was more than halfway there and I knew I could get through it. Patience was all I needed. Day 30. The long wait is over. I passed my crucial final exams. I got the highest score in all my five major subjects. And all of a sudden, I forgot Facebook all the while. However, thanks be to Mark, I get to experience all these stuffs. My life was not that good but I know it was not that bad either. I am still using Facebook, for I support responsible use of social networking site campaigns. And without my Facebook experience, I couldnt have started writing this article, and I could have even killed myself if I did not pass my final exams. More importantly, I am grateful that Facebook has taught me to cherish the value of discipline, patience, responsibility and faith, which all citizens must like and share.

Anthony Chan Mindanao State University General Santos City AB-English 4th year October 30, 2011 09077663427 https://www.facebook.com/tonitz08