“When the Going Gets Tough, Only the Tough Gets Going”

In life, we often experience the hardships, hindrances and struggles that serve as a challenge for us. As a student, I had already experienced many of those in our studies. I felt the heaviness of life and seemed like helpless. But those did not make a hindrance to me. Those serve as an inspiration for me to strive more.

Both my parents were working and only me, my grandma, my sister and my brother, the four of us left in our house. My two older brother and sister were also busy on their studies and my grandma, at her age, had already forgotten their lessons before. When I ask for their help and they can’t help me, I sometimes feel helpless. I don’t know where to go, whom to ask and who can help me. I just pray to God and ask for his help to give me enough knowledge.

Sometimes some of our teachers are giving us much homework even weekends without knowing that we also have other responsibilities or activities other than studying. Like me, I am attending in our church every Thursday and Sunday. I still need to fulfill my responsibility there as ‘Kalihim’ or secretary. We sometimes lack sleep, and when we go to school we were somewhat sleepy. But I realized that it was alright since it is training for us so that when we already have work we will be used to these.

I thank God because he has given me all these challenges. Because of these I learned to be an independent person. I learned to have courage and perseverance. And one of the most important thing, I realized the meaning of “When the going gets tough, only the tough gets going.” ^_^

Our Math Fest!!!

We had a whole day celebration of our Math Fest. It was held in our gymnasium. It was good. The performances of each contestant were good but somewhat not related to Math. But it was okay at least they have presented on stage and that was really hard. It was enjoyable and exciting.

We had our Math Quiz Bee and Math trail (students’ and parents’ categories). I appreciated the cooperation of each individual. The parents also cooperated and really went there just to join on that Math Fest. They seemed like better than the students when it comes to Sudoku. They are faster and more energetic than the students.

The program was successful. The coordinators really did their good job. I could see their effort but it just needs more improvement next time. But it was okay since it was their first time. It was two thumbs up for me…^_^

My Letter to The Shepherd in Marlowe's Poem

Dear Shepherd,

            Your message is really heartwarming. Your passionate words of promises can make every lady’s heart flattered. At first, yes, I was flattered, but having second thoughts, I would honestly say that your flowery words full of idealistic promises are really hard to believe. I know that life is not perfect so how can you prove to me that you can hold on to your perfect promises forever.

            I don’t need the beds of roses, pretty gowns, finest jewelries for these are all material things that may fade and rotten as the time goes by. For me, love cannot be measured by these worldly things.

            I am a simple lady who wants genuine love. I live realistically like an ordinary person who is aware that love should not be proven with earthly vows for these will only turn me off. Real love can be proven by your acts and views. Would your love lasts even if I am already old and weak? Would you still love in spite of my imperfections?

            If you can prove it to me then I will accept your love…

                                                                                                     Truly yours,

                                                                                                      Angelica

Our Fieldtrip

            We had our educational fieldtrip last December 3, 2011. I was very excited to go in this trip since I have not been in most of these places before. Because of too much excitement, I really fixed my things and packed them properly on my knapsack bag the day before. Unfortunately, when the day came, I woke up late. I hurried and felt quite tensed. My mother brought me to school and bought some snacks for me not to be hungry.

            As I arrived in school, I already saw many students who were falling in line. I looked for the line of my classmates and joined with them. We already went into our bus when were already complete. The bus started to run and I heard the shouts of excitement of many students like me. I was sitting near the window so I can see the places where we had passed by while my classmate and seatmate Piwi was introducing those to me since I was not particular with the places.

            Our first destination was in SM MOA specifically in the Science Discovery. We waited there for half an hour just to wait for all the buses to arrive. While waiting we just read the trivia that they were presenting on screen. Later, we already went inside. I was amazed with all their inventions ran by the Science and technology. We played with those, watched on their Planetarium and we really enjoyed so much.

            Our second destination was at Taguig City on their Myth of the Human Body where mythological gods were related to our human body. They showed us our true and real different body parts preserved by some chemicals. They explained the body parts one by one. They said that most of those real body parts were donated by Chinese people. I have learned a lot and got new knowledge about our human body.

            Our third destination should really be in Luneta but since we already went there many times before, we just went straight to MOA again to spend our remaining time on shopping. I just strolled there and bought some things and food for my family so that when I get home I have something to give them because I do not have such big pocket money. My classmates were inviting me to have ice skating but it was very expensive. So I just decided not to go and joined my friend Charisse in strolling. Since I forgot my other money in my bag at the bus and the bus was not around, she just treated me some drinks and we enjoyed it so much.
          After shopping we went back to our assigned buses and went home as early as possible so we can still rest in our house. I got very exhausted and just slept after eating when I got home. For me, the trip was really an adventure and really educational at the same time. I hope more fieldtrips may happen again next time.

Andres Bonifacio: Hero of Valor

He lead to revolt
To rescue our conquered land
Hero of Valor!!!

Our NCAE

NCAE or National Career Assessment Examination is done by the students or out-of-school youth. It is to test or to prepare them of what courses can they take for college. It measures their skills and aptitudes and calculates the best-fitting field or discipline for the test takers to pursue. Before, NCAE is usually done by the fourth year students but now, it is done by the third year students like me. So, when we go to fourth year level, we already know in what particular field we are going to pursue in preparation for the course that we will take for college.

As I have said, since I am a fourth year student, we also took this. But before that, we consumed a lot of days to review for this test. I could say that all the things that we have done are worth it. It helped us so much in answering the test. It made the test easier for us to answer.

The exam is compose of many categories. We have the Examinee’s Descriptive Questionnaire which is more on our personal matters and preferences. We have the Mathematical ability which is more on computations. Science Ability is more on analysis. There are also Reading Comprehension, Verbal, Non-verbal and Clerical Ability, Manipulative and Entrepreneurial Skills. Entrepreneurial Skills are more on business matters.

The exam is really hard but since there are choices, we have finished it. At least, we have 25% sure of our answers on each question because there are four choices. Some part of the exam are just the same with what we had on our review. So, we already had ideas for those. But some part of it were not that easy because I have already forgotten those topics.

We took the examination for a half day. It was quite a boring just sitting on your chair, thinking, no chatting with your seatmates and it was very quiet. After we have taken all the tests, we went home already. When I arrived at our house, I was very exhausted; I rested and slept for more than two hours.          

Mango Tree As My Symbol

Everyone has his/her own personality which can be compared even to trees. I would prefer mango tree as a symbol of my charcter. This captivating fruit tree is fascinating. It helps us by giving shade against the heat of the sun. They said that the mystical Mango tree symbolizes immortality. It is the symbol of love, wealth, and even fertility.   

I go for mango tree because it bears fruit.  A fully grown tree can be hundreds of years old and still bearing fruit! As for myself, I would like to be a productive and successful as I grow old like a mango tree. Mango trees bloom and bear fruits from January to July. And July is the month of my birthday.

The flowers are tiny, yellowish pink and grow in dense pyramidal clusters. Coincidentally, my favorite colors are yellow, green and pink. The fruits are oval, which almost looks like a heart. They are green when immature and turn yellow, red or orange as they ripen. The strong aromatic smell is not only tempting but I also love its appetizing taste as well. The yellow, fresh fruit flesh is juicy and delicious and can be made into juice, jelly or preserves. In comparison to my personality, I would say that though I may be young and small but I have something good to share to other people.

Our Intramurals

Our intramurals really brought me very exciting days. I enjoyed it so much. I chose to play Patintero than any other sports or games even though I have already forgotten how to play it and I just played it when I was in Grade School because I am not really fond of playing. But luckily, because of the guidance of God and our determination to win, we won the game. I don’t expect it because we just played and enjoyed the game. We ranked the first in all levels in Patintero girls and boys and we were so happy and surprised with the result. 

            In other sports, the Juniors also ranked the first in basketball -boys, table tennis-girls (singles and doubles), badminton boys (singles and doubles), discus throw-girls and shot put. We also have the sack race, chess and sepak takraw. I was not able to watch all the sports but I just watched some of the games.

We also had our Mr. and Ms. Physique. It was represented by Mhyllie Niño Galang and Mary Ivane D. Pinpin as our Third Year Representative. They modeled on the court with their sports attire. Galang won the first award and Pinpin got the third award. They really showed their best to represent the Ferrari.

            When the fourth year and third year girls were playing basketball, it suddenly rained. We were not able to finish it. After the Intramurals we went home already. I learned a lot from this Intrams. I learned to have team work, be sport and have patience.

We had too much exposure to sunlight which gave me a little headache. Our skin became darker. We looked so haggard. We were sweating all over our body.  When I arrived home, I readily slept at once due to exhaustion.

Sonnet 116

Sonnet 116

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come:
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.


–William Shakespeare

A. Recalling

1. List 3 or 4 things that love is not according to Sonnet 116.

·         "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments. 

I will not allow myself to admit that true love has any restrictions

·         Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds

True love never changes even when it finds changes in      circumstances.

·         Love does not bend with the remover to remove

     Love does not bend from its firm stand even when a lover is unfaithful

·         Love's not Time's fool though rosy lips and cheeks / Within his bending sickle's compass come:"

Love is not at the mercy of time

·         Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks

Love does not change with hours and weeks

2. List several things that love is according to Sonnet 116.

¨      Love is an ever-fixed mark

That looks on tempests and is never shaken

Love is a permanent mark that persists unshaken despite the harsh winds of change

¨      It is the star to every wandering bark

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken

Love is the guiding, constant star for every wandering ship, a fixed point whose nature is unknown, although its height can be measured.

¨      Love bears it out even to the edge of doom

Love endures until the day of reckoning.

B. Interpreting

1. What is the measuring of the image star in lines 7-8? How does this image apply to love?

“It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.”

Love is the guiding star to every lost ship. Genuine love serves as a guiding light to direct us on time of confusion or uncertainty, pain and sorrow, difficulty and trials within the relationship.  Real love directs us to think rationally and enables us to choose the right decision and attitude.

C. Extending

Do you agree or disagree with the speaker's interpretation of love? Why or why not?

I agree with the speaker’s interpretation of love.  Authentic love cannot be true if it changes for any reason. It must be honest, loyal and steadfast despite any hindrances that may occur. Love shows patience and chooses what is rightful. Love blossoms until the end of time.

 Love is something beyond measure and is really indefinable.  Nobody can exactly depict the real meaning of love. But love is absolutely something that can give us happiness and brings inspiration to everyone.

An Announcement

Teacher: Announcement class!!! We are going to have our Astronomy Tour on September 23, 2011 at the Ayala Planetarium, so it is better to inform your parents now regarding the tour fee worth P350.00.

Student: Excuse me Ma’am, I have a question. What if we will not join the tour or what if our parents did not allow us to join the tour?

Teacher: There will be two options. Either you join the Astronomy Tour or you will make a project regarding Astronomy. This will be considered as your Second Grading Project and you must comply with this requirement otherwise, you will get a failing grade because this is 25% of your grade. On the other hand, if you go to this tour I will give you additional points for your Periodical Test.

Student: Wow! We better convince our parents to allow us so that we can get these additional points. I am sure we will not only learn from this but also we will enjoy this trip.

Teacher: You will definitely learn a lot as well as enjoy this Astronomy Tour. Do not forget to bring your pack lunch, snacks, pocket money and extra white T-shirt. You are required to wear your complete P.E. uniform. Do you have any other questions?

Students: None Ma’am

"Mama: My Modern Day Hero"

When I have problems she consoles and gives me hope

Assures and teaches me to be able to cope

She discourages me not to become a mope

Trains me to strive hard to challenge my scope

Keeps making life better with her perseverance

Be tough despite any struggles and hindrance

She tries to solve difficulties with coherence

In return we love and treat her with deference

She will always be there to comfort and to care

Teaches me the right and wrong to become aware

A Steadfast love she will generously share
 She’s a wonderful mother, my hero, I swear

Why I Enjoy Music

Through music we can express our personality. In today's society, people (youngsters in particular, but not only them) often define themselves by their taste in music. So, it often happens that the music we listen to is a large part of who we are. Our musical preferences reflect our image in society, influences our mood, makes us more courageous, more cheerful, or, on the contrary, more sad and depressed. It all depends on the way we understand or feel it.

It is said that music therapy is so powerful that it can even cure diseases. There's a research that shows the positive effects music has on the human brain. The healing powers of music are well known from ancient times and effectively put into practice by present day psychotherapy. According to specialists, listening to classical music can actually make us smarter. Music is really a complex form of beauty that touches so many aspects of our lives.

We make friends because they share our taste in music, we join social groups and we dress and act in a certain way because we listen to a certain type of music. Music defines lifestyles and can become the voice of a generation, not to mention that it can make for a great topic of conversation between people who otherwise wouldn't have anything in common. During a concert, total strangers can act as one and get to feel they truly belong.

I cannot imagine the world without music. For me it is a form of communication. I am not a songwriter or a performer, but merely just a listener or a fan, or just an occasional “bathroom singer”. Through music I can express my emotions. Music is so important because it brings people together. I like sharing my favorite songs with my friends. I like ballads, pop music and other sentimental songs.

Music is like a friend to me. It makes me happy and comforts me when I am sad. Our musical preferences change as we ourselves become different, but some songs stay with us forever, and listening to them even brings back special memories, important events in my life that I will always be connected with that certain song.

Music has a very practical use in my personal life. I often listen to music when I feel down, or when I want to change my mood. It helps me fight depression and anxiety. It helps calm and revitalize me in a variety of ways. It can even help reduce my stress and pain levels. Music greatly affects my moods. I listen to fast music for exercising or doing household chores. It enables me to work or move faster that lets me accomplish my duties early. It makes my day more pleasant and easier to get through. Soft, soothing music can help me unwind too. It relaxes my mind and even makes me sleep better.

My Opinion If The Classes Will Start From September to May

     They are planning to move the start of classes from September to May instead of June to March. It was because they want to have the same starting of classes in other schools from other counties. I disagree with it because I am already used to the usual starting of classes. I am already contented with it. There is no need to change with it because there is no problem whenever we have different starting of classes. The important thing is we are learning from our school.

     I f they will change the starting of classes from September to May instead of June to March, there are many adjustments that we need to make. If at first, we are enjoying our summer vacation but now if they change it, we will have a rainy vacation. There will only be nine months of classes instead of ten months. It will be hard for us. Our length of studies will be shorten and we might be pressured if this will happen. 

     The students might have difficulties in going to school in the starting of classes because these months are cold. We might have diseases because of colds. And because of this, we might absent from the class. Our grades will be affected. The teachers might have difficulties also in adjustments with us.

     There will be no semestral break in a year since it is just the start of classes. The events that we are celebrating before like the "Independence Day" will not be included. The students might not enjoy their classes. They might get lazy in going to school if we feel it. We might not go to school if this will happen.

     They should not really change the starting of classes. So there is no need for some adjustments. The students and teachers will not have difficulties because of this. They should just maintain the stating of classe before. Think of good ideas to make the classes better. ^_^

     

Our Astronomy Day

     My grandmother woke me up at 5 in the morning. When I woke up this day, I was very excited to go to school to watch and learn about the astronomy. I prepared my food and things needed for this activity. I took a bath and wore my PE uniform. I commuted to arrive at the school.

     

     When I arrived at the school, I was expecting to see the props that we going to use for this activity but I was wrong. In the morning we still had our regular classes. Some of our teachers was not able to attend our classes because of the preparation for the astronomy day.We also helped them in cleaning the rooms that we will use for this activity. We removed the chairs and tables, swept and mapped the floor.

     When we are done cleaning, we saw a van came. We looked outside and saw that it is the van for the astronomy day. They brought the things needed  for the activity. They also brought some astronomers to explain what they are showing. W e continued with our classes.

     When it was our break time,  we walked around the school. We observed what they arepreparing so that we can have idea on what to see later. We saw black curtains at the Chemistry lab which will be used for the film showing and some pictures at the Physics room for the exhibit. We also saw a small dome at the gym. At first, I was disappointed with what I saw because there are only few materials and facilities prepared and we payed 300 pesos to join this activity.

     While we are having our classes, we saw some other students preparing for their film showing. Since  we are at the second batch, we will have it in the afternoon. We had different schedules so that we will not be overpopulated inside the room. We had different lunch breaks. When we are going to have our lunch, we the other students starting on their film showing.

     After our lunch break, we went back to school and started our film showing. We watched bout the galaxies and telescopes. After the film showing, we went to the next activity and we had our exhibit, the astronomer showed us some pictures and true meteor rocks. After the exhibit, we went at the gym. We went inside a dome, the astronomer explained the day, night and the solar system showed inside the digital dome.

     Unfortunately, It was a cloudy day we did not have our star gazing. They said that we will just continue it some other time when they come back. We just asked the astronomers the questions in our mind about the solar system. We learned a lot this day. After all this exhausting activity, we went home 7:30 in the evening.

If I Could be Someone, I’d Be Angel Locsin

     All of us have a special person that we really admire or idolize. This is not really bad unless we do not exceed to the level of overdoing it. Of course I admire my parents for their perseverance especially my mother who is always a fighter and a real survivor in real life. She is really very special to me. But the other person that I really admire and almost idolize is Angel Locsin.

     I started to like her when I was still in grade school. I watched her every night in her television series, “Mulawin”, “Mahika”, “Darna”, and “Asian Treasure” in GMA Channel 7. And even if she transferred to Channel 2 I still followed watching her TV series such as “Lobo” and “Imortal”. She has done many TV commercials. She even pursue with her career as film producer and fashion designer.

     As I grow older my admiration for Angel Locsin heightened that I even make my own research about her. I have learned that her real name is Angelica Colmenares. I was astonished because we have the same first name. She was born on April 23, 1985, a pure Bulakeña and daughter of Mr. Angelo Colmenares. Her parents separated when she was 14 years old and she has since lived with her father.

     She has a good educational background for she studied in reputable schools such as St. James School in Quezon City during her elementary and finished high School at the University of Sto.Tomas High School. She took a short-course for fashion design at Central Saint Martin’s College of Arts and Design in London. She started her showbiz career at the age of sixteen. Angel was discovered by a talent scout when she was shopping at SM City North EDSA in Quezon City.  She then auditioned for several commercials.

     But what I really admire most is her soft-spoken voice and humility in spite of her fame and wealth. As one of the brightest stars of Philippine Cinema, Angel Locsin continues to touch the lives of her millions of supporters and that includes me.  She is a role model for young women especially when her awareness to help the poor and the Filipino women started.  On April 23, 2007, Locsin celebrated her birthday with GABRIELA Foundation, a non-government organization that supports women and children. On April 20, 2008, Locsin organized a gift-giving to the less fortunate children in Payatas, Quezon City and gave poor children food, clothing and other basic needs which was supported by her sponsors.

     I’d like to follow her distinctive qualities and attitude in life. I want to succeed in my own career someday but I would like to stay humble and God-fearing at all times. I have the heart for the poor like me. I have the utmost respect for women for someday I would be like them. I hope I can also make my own fight for the rights of women and the oppressed.

Amidst The Trouble

Despite the moment of affliction

Without the thought of hesitation

Through my prayers with self-reflection

For His blessing and my protection.

Besides the humble invocation

For guidance by self-evaluation

Against the results of my action

Towards my moral obligation.

What Am I Really Interested To?

     All of us have our own interest and because of that we respect each others interests. And that is why we differ in many ways and we are called unique. Interest is a state of curiosity or concern about or attention to something. For me, interest makes someone to know and to like somethng. It makes something exciting whenever there is interest. We cannot enjoy what we are doing  without having interest on it.

     In spite of having hectic schedule in my studies and in our worship service in Iglesia ni Cristo, I aso find time for my interests. I do alot of things with my interests. Doing something without interest is just like you have done it but without putting your heart on it. I am interested to music. I like listening too different kinds of music.Whenever I listen to music, I feel like I am already relieved. I also like singing even though my voice is not that good. Music makes me relax and takes away my woes.

     I am also interested in arts. I like designing and drawing but I am not really good on it, I just like it. This freshens my mind whenever I see a good kind of art. I am fond of combining colors and putting accessories on something. I also like surfing the net because this widens my knowlegde to different kind of things. I learn alot from this and I meet new friends through facebook in internet.

     I am also interested in exploring things around the world. I also like learning about the languages. It will make me easy to communicate with other people since I also want to go around the world someday and meet different kinds of people and learn their culture.

     I am also interested in solving puzzles or problems. That is why I am fond of playing detective, escape, mystery or any other puzzle games. These enhance my knowledge on how to solve problems out of the things given. At the same time, these makes me happy and I find it enjoyable to do whenever I have spare time.

     These are my own interests in life. No one can ever change it and erase it. Do you also have any interests? Try to tell it and share me your story. ^_^