BLOG # 8

Teachers: The Amazing Heroes

                A teacher in dictionary is somebody who teaches, especially as a profession. A teacher for me is someone who tells you about something you do not know, thus bringing new knowledge to you. I am not only talking about teachers in school, but all other teachers in or out of an institution. All can be teachers.  I am not pertaining to degree in college but if you know that a person contribute to your knowledge or even yourself who share your knowledge to others, that person and you are teachers. Our mother is our first teacher. The sirs and ma’ams, they are also our teacher. All the teachers are heroes. But why do I consider them heroes?

                Teachers are heroes because they help us. They help us understand lessons. They help us not to get failing grades. They help us reach our dreams. Teachers are heroes because they save us. If we get caught into problems they save us from that problem. When we get down, they comfort and save us from sorrow. They save us when they know we are falling. Teachers are heroes because they sacrifice. They sacrifice time for us just to teach us lessons. They even sacrifice breaks just to finish school works. Sometimes, when they are in their house, they even sacrifice family time just to finish their lesson plans or other things teachers do. They sacrifice their own happiness for us. Teachers are heroes because they guide us. They guide us to do the best that we can. They guide us into our good side. They guide us when they know we are about to lose our way. Most of all, teachers are heroes because they teach. They teach us the alphabet up to the highest point of our learning now. They teach everything we need to learn. There will be no doctors, accountants, engineers, nurses, architects, pharmacists, chemists, scientists, interior designers, directors, actors and business managers without teachers. There will be no professionals without teachers.

                Teachers help, save, sacrifice, and guide making them heroes. Teachers teach making them heroes. Finally, teachers are heroes because they love what they are doing. If teachers do not love to help, save, sacrifice, guide, and teach, they will not survive being an amazing teacher. They would stop if they do not love what they are doing, but again, they don’t stop. They continue every single day as teachers. Although there are lots of problems in the way: stress in students, bunch of school works, time pressure and a whole lot more, they don’t stop what they are doing. Amazing persons are what they are, amazing teachers are what they’ve become, and amazing students are what they’ve made. Happy Teachers Day to all teachers in the whole wide world!

                                                       Inevitable Fate

                                                    A Tragic Romance

       There was once a ship that sailed gently through the seas. Boarded were hundreds of people and among them were the two infants, Benedick and Beatrice. They were together for some unknown reason but danger struck. A hard-blowing, strong-raining storm greeted them and cut the ship in half. Unfortunately, the two babies were separated but thankfully, two ships came to their help. Benedick was rescued by Montaboat, owned by the Montagues, and Beatrice was rescued by Capuship which was owned by the Capulets.

        The Montagues and Capulets have been rivals for years and it seemed that their rivalry wouldn’t end without blood. Years passed, both families had loved their own adopted child like they were their own. Beatrice was given great care and grew as a gorgeous maiden, while Benedick grew as a brave and handsome young man. Never did they saw each other, but after 20 years, their lives met a life-changing turning point.

Three witches came to visit Montague to tell him about their prophecy. With their ugly faces and crooked teeth, together with their long, sharp and dirty fingernails, Lady Montague wished to send them away but Montague disagreed after finding out that their prophecy was of great news for his own power. The three witches called forth 3 spirits. The first spirit showed a knight wearing a crown, signifying that Montague would be the new king of Verona. Eager to make this true, Montague plotted a plan to kill King Escalus. He succeeded and like what the prophecy said, he became the King.

However, his felicity was short-lived due to the prophecy of the three witches given by the remaining spirits. The second was an infant in a pool of blood, showing that he would be killed by a man not born of woman. The third was an armored head with blood dripping out of its opening. He didn't seem to mind the prophecies at first and went on with his plan to kill his rival, the Capulets. Battles were fought but at the end, Capulet confesses that he was untimely ripped and he beheaded Montague with a triumph smile on his face.

          Benedick was distraught and wanted revenge for his father. He promised never to marry and to spend all his remaining years avenging his father holy. But fate never seems to run out of surprises. Benedick and Beatrice's lives would meet a bittersweet turn.

          As the days near the 21st birthday of Beatrice everyone helped in the preparation for this grandest occasion. They spent days on preparation. While passing the market, Benedick overheard gossips about the beauty of Beatrice and became eager to see her himself but probably just for his revenge. The big day came, and Benedick wore a disguise and went to the party. There he saw Beatrice staring at him with an awe expression on her face. Their eyes met and it seemed like the world just faded away and left nothing but the two of them

alone. They fell in love at the first sight and Benedick's crave for revenge for his father and his belief that he'll never marry vanished into thin air. He forgot about the anger he felt for the Capulets.

          Days passed and the King Capulet wanted Beatrice to marry a nobleman named Paris. Beatrice refused to and told her father that she's in love with Benedick. The King Capulet turned red with fury. He told Beatrice that if she would disobey his command, he'll have her either executed or sent to the monastery to be a nun. Beatrice went to Friar Lawrence for help and was given the potion that would stop her pulse for 48 hours. She told Benedick of the escape plan. When the night came and Beatrice's body was transferred in the family tomb, she finally woke up and ran into the forest with Benedick. However, Paris saw what happened and followed them into the forest.

Paris allies with Puck, a mischievous fairy, and ordered him to pour a love spell on the lips of the sleeping Beatrice while Benedick was out hunting. Puck followed Paris, and when Beatrice woke up, she immediately fell in love with Paris and they kissed thoroughly. Benedick saw what happened and got so enraged but chose to hide it first. When the spell faded, Beatrice couldn't remember what happened. They decided to go and get married on a small village. During the marriage, Benedick proclaimed and told everyone that Beatrice was a whore. He was so furious with Beatrice and his initial desire for revenge returned.

          He left Beatrice on the village and ventured back to Verona to kill King Capulet. After arriving, he immediately sought the senators and other officials and convinced them to conspire against the King.

Before the planned assassination, while Benedick in his room, a spirit named Ariel came to visit him and deliver news that would surely twist and crush his soul. Ariel told him that he(Ariel) is the spirit guardian of his parents and that when they died, he had watched over Benedick all through the years. Ariel also told Benedick about Beatrice's innocence and that it was all Paris and Puck's fault. Benedick immediately felt guilty, sorry, and horrible all at the same time. He had left Beatrice alone; he had accused her of being a whore yet the truth she was innocent and faithful all those time. He realized that he never stopped loving Beatrice and that he was just consumed by his rage. He changed his mind about assassinating King Capulet. He was about to go and stop the other senators when he freezes on his feet and felt the world crashing down on him as Ariel told him the truth that had been buried together with the shipwreck 21 years ago.

After being left by Benedick, Beatrice went to Verona in hopes of explaining and proving her innocence to her beloved. But as she stepped foot on the castle, she felt something very wrong. So she ran. She ran so fast and at last, she saw the dead body of her father. She cried and wailed. But then something struck her and she suddenly feared of what might have happened to Benedick. She stood up, and moved her numb legs, not even quite noticing of fast she was running. She saw the door on the ballroom where she first saw

          Benedick slightly open. Her heart was drumming inside her chest. She picked up her speed and alas, she reached the door and opened it.

She stood there and saw the greatest horror she could ever imagine. In the center of the room was Benedick lying limpwith blood pooling over his body. She didn't skip a beat; she quickly darted toward him and fell on her knees. She cradled his head on her lap and asked him to wake up. Slowly and weakly, Benedick opened his eyes and tears started to fall from them.

      “It's my fault. I didn't save him.” he said weakly, barely a whisper.   

       “No, it's not. I love you.”

        “I love you too. Much more than life. But our love more powerful than the stars is also more impossible to touch, for it is forbidden. It is forbidden, my dear twin sister...”

       He took his one last breath and died in her arms.

       Beatrice, painfully shocked of her love’s dying message, took the dagger out of Benedick’s body and said “Oh, sweet dagger, take away all of the sorrow. Let my body be your sheath…” Without second thinking, she stabbed herself and her body lay above the body of Benedick.

       The citizens of the kingdom went inside and saw the dead bodies of Beatrice, Benedick, and King Capulet. They found a note that was seemingly glowing saying the events that perspired for the last days. Paris, who also entered the castle, saw light figure over the bodies. Paris doesn’t know why but he feels that the light figure is crying.

        The figure then walks of out of the door, its true appearance revealed. “It’s finally over; I guess it’s time, after 21 years, our family can be reunited again, in the sky. Benedick, I hope you don’t get mad at me for not telling you the truth sooner, I had my reasons but at least now, we can enjoy the happiness of forever.”

Fair is foul, and foul is fair

ACT I

SCENE I: A desert place.

[Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches.]

First Witch: When shall we three meet again

In thunder, lightning, or in rain?

Second Witch: When the hurly-burly’s done,

When the battle’s lost and won.

Third Witch: That will be ere the set of sun.

First Witch: Where the place?

Second Witch: Upon the heath.

Third Witch: There to meet with Macbeth.

First Witch: I come, Graymalkin!

Second Witch: Paddock calls.

Third Witch: Anon.

ALL: Fair is foul, and foul is fair:

Hover through the fog and filthy air.

            For me there is a great meaning of the line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”. For me, the meaning goes like this: A person has an ugly side and a beautiful side.  Let us first discuss it with relation unto beauty. Fair is described as beautiful while, foul is ugly. So it becomes “Beautiful is ugly, and ugly is beautiful”, where know I can relate it to the play, specially the witches. Filipino belief says that witches are ugly, creepy and very weird persons because of their witchcrafts or magical powers. Then I can infer that witches are ugly. And as what I mentioned earlier, if the three witches are ugly and then they also have this good side.

            The three witches are honest, that is one. Even though they made Macbeth turned into his bad character, from the beginning through its end, they just said what their prophecies are and that is it. Maybe they were just spoilers on Macbeth’s life. If I would be asked, it is Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth who really made the situation worse. If Macbeth just become contented of hearing the happy news just like what Banquo did, and just let it happen, I think he could be in the better situation through the play. There would be no tragic ending and there will be no bloody revenge among the people he hurt. Generally, the witches are ugly yet had this good side. Further, I can say that nobody is perfect.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Climax

                                The play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a wonderful play of fantasy. The play is set in a Wood outside Athens and the setting itself is an important character in the comedy. The wood is home to the magical Puck and other fairies, and it is there that reality can be suspended and imagination followed. The play contains four groups of characters: Theseus of Athens and his bride Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons; the fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania; two pairs of young lovers; and a company of Athenian working men headed by Nick Bottom, the weaver. The action centers on a magical spell cast by the mischievous fairy Puck and overseen by Oberon. The spell confuses the desires of the two sets of lovers and causes Titania to fall in love with Bottom, who has been turned into a monster with an ass's head. Oberon eventually releases the hapless victims from the spell, clearing up all mistakes. The play ends with a triple wedding as all three sets of lovers marry.

                                For me the climax of the play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is when Oberon orders Puck to put a love potion to the eyes of Demetrius but mistaken Lysander as Demetrius, which then gave the complication of the story. In here, Oberon orders Puck to put the love potion on the eyes of an Athenian lad unknowing that there are 2 Athenian lads in the forest, one of which is Lysander whom he puts the love potion on. When Lysander then woke up he sees Helena whom he fell in love with. Puck to correct his fault then puts the love potion on the eyes of Demetrius who also woke up seeing Helena whom he fell in love with too. Helena, unknowing of the potion, thought that the two is only putting a prank on her. Hermia, on the other hand, is angered for she thought that Helena stole his love Lysander since that now Lysander loves Helena instead of herself.

                                I consider this part as the climax of the play because this part is where the conflict took place. For me this is the very tricky part of the story and it also made the story very complicated. For me it is also the most interesting part. Big problems are indeed caused by small problems.

Forget: Is it the Best Way to Forgive?

                                Many people say, “To forgive is to forget” but is forgetting really the best way to forgive others? If I would be ask that question, honestly, I don’t think that forgetting is the best way to attain forgiveness. Maybe it could be the easiest way but for me it is not the best. Let me elaborate it with a story of mine.

                                It was not a long time when it happened. It is between me and my friend. My friend likes joking and making fun of some people’s mistakes or clumsiness. In that moment I was the center of his joke. At first I didn’t mind those teases and mocks because I knew he was just joking me out but as time pass by my patience got shorter and shorter until it was totally used up. I walked out of the place and then went to one corner easing my anger. After quite time he peeks at me if I’m all right then go back to his pranks and still gets me into those jokes. At the end of the day, I think he already realized what he did and finally felt sorry for it. Although I forgave him the next day, I still can’t forget what he did. Because at that time he really offended me and didn’t even think of my feelings if he will throws his jokes at me.

                                I know that there are really times that we cannot forget the people who did unpleasant things to us, but at the end of the day the best thing to do is to forgive. In the Bible, Luke 23:24, “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” It says here that even Jesus learns to forgive. So if Jesus knows how to forgive, then why couldn’t we?

Books or Sports?

                                If you would be given a second life, which do you prefer a sporty person but not that an academically inclined, or an academically inclined student but not a sporty one? books or sports? If you would to ask me, which between those two options I would likely to prefer the second one. Yes, I would want to be an academically inclined student than a sporty one. It is not that I hate P.E. but because I think that I could have more benefit to be an academically inclined student than to be a sporty one. Although you would not be popular unlike those who are great in playing sports, you can also make other people know you in other ways like in quiz bees or competitions. In my impression on the people who are good in sports, they often get bruises, wounds, and other pains in the body which I think could be lessen if you focus yourself in academics. Another reason is I am more comfortable with books, and as they say a book is a house of gold.

                                Let us think about the consequences when you would be a sporty student but not that an academically inclined one. One thing is, sometimes you might not get focus in your studies because you would be spending more time in sports. You might not be the smartest of the class but you could be the best in P.E. Some people think you are cool and be one of the most popular students in the campus.

                                In the second option, where you would be an academically inclined student but not a sporty one, there are also consequences choosing it. Sometimes you would be the last in the line when it comes to running. During intramurals, you might be having a difficult time to choose a sport to join because among the sports listed, you know none of them. You might not be the cool classmate instead the nerd of the class. But of course there are a lot of advantages. You might be included in one of the best 1o and you will not have a hard time catching the border line of grades. You might also be one of the best during discussions.

                                But back into reality, we will not be the one to decide on which type of student are we going to be. All we just have to do is give our best shot every time and never let failure overcome us. Always believe in yourself, be responsible of what your decisions are and always have a faith in God. Always remember, working without praying is nothing and praying without working is also nothing.

A Prayer

He created our planet Earth and we humans.
He gave us life, the moon that shine and the glorious sun.
He knows above all, our creator and savior.
He’s the start and the end, reason we’re living for.

We are reaching unto you the sins we have done,
For us to be forgiven, our sins to be gone.
We also thank you for all the blessings you gave,
For all the love, peace and guidance you also gave.

Our Almighty God please supply all of our needs.
For all the people who lose everything they hid.
 They loss their houses, jobs affected by the flood.
Please help them oh God, I know they are very sad.

Help them face the problems they are experiencing.
Please do not let them end any day just crying.
Give them hope and courage for them all to be brave.
Touch their hearts; let them feel that these are tests you gave.

Give them strength to withstand the storm they encounter,
For them not to remain on the ground forever.
This prayer is for all my fellow countrymen.
We reach this all to you, in Jesus name, Amen.

Ganito Ka Rin Ba Mag-ENGLISH?

(To whoever gets to understand this letter, CONGRATULATIONS!)

The following is a letter found at a certain bar in Manila and has been preserved to its original unedited form. Enjoy reading and you may try direct translation in Tagalog. Pls. read with feelings…

October 1996

To Marije,

I am not surprise or wonder why Dennis leave you why? What reason can you think about but you’re very fat body. I thought before that Dennis only use me to his toy but sooner and later I’m realize that he really can’t not beared or stomached to be with you anymore because at first, Dennis say he could not stand you’re habit of making pakialam all his walks (lakad) and always calling to their house what he go home or this or that.

And then he say he get ashame to me either in school or in his family and then asking you to exercise you’re very very, very fat body. But you hate it. Thought you’re the most preetiest girls he knows about. What do you think you are “ Beautiful Girl” of Jose Mari Chan?

Even you are beautiful face (to your think) you do not have the right to called me whatsoever or else difference name one time or the other for the real purposed to insults my personality because I’m never call you names either in the front of Dennis or in the backs of Dennis, but if you start already to calling me different name, I don’t have any other choice but to call you other different name to. Like you are a PIG, FAT, OBESSED, OVERWIGHT, AND UGLY SHAPE girl. Shame to you is body that is to a BUDING.

You can’t not blame Dennis for exchanging you to me because I am the more sexier that you when you look to us in the mirror. I’m repeat again that you are like Lozada when she is a girl.

Love,

The sexiest Girl of D.M.

P.S.

You say that I’m the bad breathe but who is Dennis want to kissed. Me or you? And the final is me. There you go.

Blogger’s Comment:

                        I did not understand the letter when I first read it. The letter for me is very expressive of what the feelings of the writer were while writing the certain letter. Having that kind of grammar in English might be a big loss in one person’s life. This letter shows how English affects a task given to a certain person. This letter is one proof of how important is having correct grammar in communication. This makes me realize how important English is that everyone must take it as a subject in school for learning.

Revised Letter:

October 1996

To Marije,

I am not surprise or wonder why Dennis left you. I cannot think of any other reason but your very fat body. Before, I thought that Dennis only used me as his toy but after sometime I realized that he can’t bear to be with you anymore. Dennis said he could not tolerate your habit of intriguing all his affairs and calling their house for nonsensical concerns.

He then said that he gets ashamed to anyone even to me, his family or his school buddies because of you. He even asked you to exercise and to get rid of your very, very, very fat body. But you do not agree to do what he said. You think you are the prettiest of all the girls he knew. Who do you think you are, the “Beautiful Girl” of Jose Mari Chan?

Even you thought that you are beautiful, you do not have the right to call me whatsoever names on any time you like to just to insult my personality. I never called you in insulting names either in the front or back of Dennis. But since you started calling me these names, I don’t have any other choice but calling you different names also. You are a FAT, OBESSE, OVERWEIGHT, UGLY-SHAPED and PIG-LIKE girl. Be ashamed of your bulging body.

You can’t blame Dennis for exchanging you for me because I am sexier than you if you would compare us in front of a mirror. I’ll repeat it again; you are like a girl version of Lozada.

Love,

The sexiest Girl of D.M.

P.S.

You said that I have a bad breathe? But who is the one Dennis wants to have a kiss with, me or you? That is me.

Informal Themes: The New Way Around

                  Most students like me find theme writing a tiring job to do, but since it is a must we will do it for compliance. Why do I find theme writing as a tiring job? One great reason for me, that I find theme writing as a tiring job is the no erasure policy. I find it hard to the job because if I got the correct things to write on, I mess the paper a lot making it not presentable to submit, so I need to write it again on another paper. Certainly, I really had a hard time rewriting those very long themes.

                        Another problem I experience in school regarding those theme writing is sometimes I am not in the good mood in school. Whenever I am not in the good mood to write, I really can’t write a good essay. Sometimes I just write whatever is in my mind making my theme unorganized. Or worse, I cannot think of any things in relation to the topic that I could not write anything at all.

                        But in life, there will always be a change. Blogging made theme writing a new transformation. In my case, it made my life easier. By blogging I can change a part in my essay without making it look like a chicken scratch like in my experiences before. Whenever I could think of a change just few clicks and press in my keyboard and it will change it right away.

                        Another benefit of blogging is you will do it in your house. In school, I often don’t have the good mood in making these themes but when I go home, I feel more comfortable because it is only my family who is watching me do it and not a big crowd of audiences. So I could make a better essay when I am in our house. Another thing I like in doing blogs is we could change its layout and do it more personalized. In this way, I feel more interested in doing blogs because it can catch my attention.

                        As a summary, I find blog making a good way of making informal themes. It not only helps students but also teachers that are having hard times in reading penmanship of his students. All I can say in blogging it is our informal theme writing the new way around.