Superb Experiences

            I gained so many experiences this school year. These experiences turned into learnings that I could apply in everyday life. I sometimes made mistakes. Yet, this does not stop me from reaching my goal. In fact, these mistakes helped me. We can’t learn without mistakes.

             The things that I like the most in this English class is I got to learn something new. Almost everything are first times, the blogs, oration, Shakespearean masterpieces, Divine Comedy, jazz chant, choral recitation a lot more. I really enjoyed these performances. Although, these are no easy to master, with the help of the class and ourselves, we got through it.

            Other things that made the class special are the questions that are difficult to answer. These questions made me really think for the answers. I still remember this question, “Will you choose a life without a mother but with a father or a life with a mother but without a father?” Some really got teary-eyed. That is when I realize that both parents are important in my life. Another question, “Am I special?” This time the whole class went silent like everybody is thinking for the answer. Actually it is my first time to hear that question and I really don’t know the answer. But as the discussion goes, I realize that everybody is special, that I am special. “What makes me happy?” is another question that I am still looking for the answer. I believe that to answer this question, I must know myself first, which is I am not yet accomplishing. The last question that made the 3N room tremble is, “Who in this classroom would you sacrifice?” This is a really tough question that a very brave student in the class can answer. To that one person that answered the question, hands off to your courage. Honestly, when I heard this question, I look at everyone’s faces, weighing each. But at the end I got no answer. Yes, everyone has weakness but if we come together as one I know we get strong enough to face whatever challenges we encounter.

            These are just some great experiences that I can recall. I know that these all contribute to my personality as a student, a daughter, a friend and a citizen. I hope that this will not be the last batch to experience such great things but also the next batches for the next years.

Timalan Lontoc,               
Naic, Cavite                       
February 13, 2014                          

Dear Pechie,

            How are you? I hope that you are there doing your personal things. Let me start this letter with an apology. I am serious about doing this and keep that in mind. Anyway, I am sorry. Sorry for so many bad things that I did to you that if I list it, I am sure that this page is not enough. Sorry because I always tease you. I am apologizing for calling you names that are not pleasant to hear, I know you know what I am talking about. Also, I am sorry for making fun of some ways of you. Maybe it is just sometimes, you really reach the limit and I can’t help but laugh on them. I am not only talking about the way you do things but you, yourself. I’m sorry I always doodle on your papers especially those that are important to you. Sorry for scribbling things that just in my mind and put it your notebooks. I know that sometimes I do it too much so I am very sorry. I’m sorry that I always ask you to give me paper because I don’t have one. If I would estimate the sum of all the pad papers I ask from you, it will make up a whole pad or even two. But I know you are just generous, so thank you also. Most of all, sorry I always depend on you and at times being a little kid you always need to look at. Again, sorry for all those things written here or not. Also, sorry in advance for the incoming bad things that I will do and thank you, as well for the good things you made.

Your friend,
Kaye

I am Special

                Being special is not being out of place. It is not being isolated. Being different, maybe. Being special for me is being unique from other people. Being special is having this particular skill that is unusual from other people.

            Me, myself I believe that I am special. That is, aside from having a unique finger print. As what I have said, being special is not being the only person in the world that can do a particular thing. I am special because I have a specific skill. If I am determined enough to do something, I can do it. But being my ‘determined self’ is not easy to attain. I could be determined if someone treat me so small and said that I could not do something. In that way I feel so little of myself. I feel like a baby that could not do something but cry to her mom and ask for milk. And I know I am not that kind of person so in able to prove that I am not that person I will do it with my all best. I could also be determined if someone encourage me and show me consequences that I will experience if I did not do my work. This way I do my best to accomplish those tasks the same way not to fall into the consequences.

            Being very productive in the last minute also makes me special. Even though I am in cramming, I still can do the same things and sometimes those same things but better. I think pressure is effective for me in accomplishing things unlike other people.

            I can also say I am special or different in the way I am reading novels. Sometimes I am very hooked up with the scene that I forgot everything else. I forget that I am only reading a novel not in the novel itself. Although, that happens to other novel lovers too, I still think that is a special skill. Another unique thing that I do when it comes to reading, I don’t forget to write a quote in the novel that I find very interesting. 

            I believe that every organism in this world is special. The dogs, cats, snakes, rats and even plants are special. If these creature I mentioned are all special so why not humans? Every man in this world is special in their every own ways. Even identical twins are unique from each other. What makes us special? Being ourselves is.

Regret: A Nightmare

            There is this feeling that you just want everything to be an awful nightmare. Then, all you want is to wake up from that nightmare. Lastly, you wish that everything will go away. This is, for me, one great definition of regret.

            One thing I regret is being a girl with the tinniest confidence. That is for me, the most thing I really regret. Being there in front of people and then here are my knees trembling and my words stammering whenever I speak. I hate that kind of me. I who do not believe in myself that I can do something. I who knows nothing but to think negatively.

            There is one experience that I report a certain topic in front of the class. Then, there I went in front and stammer in my words. I felt so nervous that I forgot my report. My whole report on where my grade depends on in that particular subject. I hate myself at that point. The worst part is I was embarrassed in front of my classmates and my teacher. I was very disappointed and ashamed of myself at that point.

            One way, I think so that will never happen again is to master my report. My mistake there is not only my lack of confidence but also not mastering my report. Another way is to avoid being nervous. Once you get nervous, it goes on until you totally forget the thing you will do, in my case, my report. Another way is to practice self-confidence. I think a way to gain confidence is to practice to be in front of people. A way to solve your problem is to face the problem itself.

A Letter to God

Dear God,

            Thank you for giving me two incredible parents who always cares. Thank you for my parents who always loves us unconditionally. Thank you for giving me parents who support us as long as they could. Thank you for these parents that no matter what happens, always know what is good for us. The parents who never give up on us, their children, no matter what we do. Thank you for these parents who taught us what is wrong and right, and to be good citizens.

            I apologize at times that I disobey my parents. I apologize that sometimes I get angry to them in a nonsense reason. I apologize that I make sin not only to them but also to you.

            I wish that you give what they deserve for being such great parents to us. Please give them good health as what they give to us while they care. Please guide them to the right things like how they guide us. Most of all, teach them how to be good citizens of Yours, of the country and of the whole world as what they taught us.

            Please let them feel that I love them though I don’t say it directly to them.

Your loving daughter,

Kaye

Blog 3.5

An Imaginary Interview with Bob Ong

Kaye: A pleasant morning Mr. Bob Ong! Thank you for the time you allotted for this interview.

Bob Ong: It's my pleasure.

K: May we proceed to the questions Sir?

B: Of course.

K: For my first question, as we all know you have written so many great books, do you have any favorite among the books you've written?

B: Well, I like them all and I consider all of them as my favorite.

K: Did your books all come from your imagination or they are from your own experience?

B: My books are based from my experience combined with my imagination. I get the concept from my experience then apply my imagination to make twists and turns.

K: Is that what makes your books so unique, popular and one of the best sellers?

B: Maybe yes, maybe no. I do believe that it depends on the readers who make their reaction on my written works.

K: Why do you want your identity a secret?

B: I want writing books to inspire and not writing books to be popular. I don’t need to let the whole world know me and be popular to write and inspire the readers.

K: These inspiring books are also from inspiration, am I right Sir?

B: Yes, as what I've said, they are based from my experience. The people around me, my family and my friends inspired me to write these books.

K: Sir, you said that inspiring people is what you want to do, do you have any other purpose in writing these books?

B: Yes, I want to let people know what this life is all about. That is the reason, I make sure that my books are true to life, though some have fictional settings or happenings at times.

K: For my last question, if you will be given another life, will you choose to be a writer again in this situation writing the same books?

B: Writing is my passion and I love this field. I will surely be a writer again if I would be given another life.

K: Thank you Mr. Bob Ong for this interview and it was a pleasure meeting you.

B: Your welcome and it was a pleasure meeting you too.

Blog 3.4

Nine Violations

            Entering into the campus of CNSHS, we can see lots of students that are disciplined and obedient when it comes to rules. In the gate starts the first violation, here violates the late comers. They are the ones who do not comply with the right time of arrival in school. Their punishment is a letter being late made by the officers to be to be given by the adviser. Another violation is an incomplete uniform. This is one of the most violated rules. Here violates the students without their ID, ribbons when it comes to girls and during Fridays, students without their neckerchief. The violators are signed on list of people with their incomplete uniform. When passing by the Principal's office or going inside the LRC, you can see or rather hear the third violators, the noisy. The violators receive a scold or a sermon coming either from the librarian or the Principal. The fourth violator are the litterers. These are the people who do not put their garbage at the right place. The violators are paid by the Yes-O officers based on their corresponding litter. The fifth violators are the wasters, the students who do not finish their meal in the canteen thus wasting their leftovers. Though not really on the rules, the wasters receive a reminder from the nurse, teachers or canteen faculties that sees them. Entering the room, here violates the users. These are the people who use gadgets that are not allowed inside the room. The punishment when caught, is the confiscation of their gadgets. The unworkers, seventh violators are the people who do not finish the work assigned to them. This can be students who did not do the task given by the teachers when they are not around. The lazy, are the students who do not accomplish their assignment or project at the right time. The lazy are scolded by teachers. The last violators are the disobedient. These are the people who skip programs, flag ceremonies, or flag retreats. These people instead of attending the ceremonies, stay inside the room unnoticed.

Blog 3.3

Is Texting Ruining Your Knowledge In EnglishLanguage?

We all know that we are now living in a very modern world. We are using advanced technology every there and now. Me, I never know someone who haven’t use a phone. Almost everyone here in our industrialized world use texting as a way of communication. Who in the world is not influenced by texting? I, myself, admit that i am fond of texting a lot.

Phones are indeed very helpful gadgets. Some people even use the hyperbole that they cannot live without their phone. But phones do not always have the good side. Some people, those who are very fond of using their phones by texting use this kind of language called jejemon. Jejemon is a way of texting wherein the users shorten their use of words by changing the spelling. An example is ‘skul’ from ‘school’. Another way around is lengthening their words by again changing the spelling. This is an example: ‘ghoodmhowninxs’ from "good morning". Sometime there is a wrong sent message to my phone that I cannot even understand because it was jejemon.

If I would be asked if texting ruined my English language, I would say no. Yes, I do admit that I change the spelling of some words sometimes. But it doesn’t affect neither my verbal nor my writing English language. I believe that texting ruining the English language merely depends on the person using the language. It depends if you yourself will let texting affect your way of speaking or writing. As what they say, the mind controls the body thus control the speaking.

Blog 3.2

Semestral Break

            For students like me, one of the most awaited months is October. Why? Often times, the last week of October is the start of our semestral break until after All Saints’ Day.  Our semestral break often runs in a week or two, or if luck comes maybe three. But this year we spent a week for our semestral break.

            The first few days of our semestral break feels like paradise. No stress, no pressure, and most of all, I am away from school works. On the first day of the semestral break, I decided doing my homeworks maybe three days before the continuation of classes. As usual of me I like to do things near the due date of submission. Maybe it’s just I am more productive when I do things while cramming.

            Everything is like brand new. I wake up late instead of waking up early to go to school. I could watch television if I want to. I could sleep late doing things I like and not sleeping late because of the homeworks. I could do the things I wanted to do without hinder.

            But, everything in this world has its consequences. After happiness is sadness. After the whole week of pleasure, here come the days of cramming. Yes. I crammed at the last two days of semestral break. The last two days were the hectic days of my semestral break. The fun days were over. The delights were gone. Here comes pressure and stress. But, I do not blame anybody but myself in these things. It is my decision not doing those things during the first days of the semestral break. I chose the humpy road instead of the smooth path.

            But still, I have learned how to be responsible on what my decisions were. I learned how to stand on what decision I make. What’s important is I managed to finish all my homeworks. I finished my tasks. I did my best to accomplish those things and I have no regrets doing those things.

Blog 3.1

Easy to Say, Difficult to Explain

            Love, a simple word which tickles our minds when hear about it. Love issomething intriguing when our friends talk about it. What we think about love is a very strange thing, hard to explain, and difficult to understand. But what really is love anyway? They say that we can only define love when we have gotten into it. Love is like measles, as what Jerome K. Jerome says, we will all go through it. Have you ever been in love?

            What is the thing that makes us love someone? Is it because of their looks? Is it because of their style? If you would to ask me I would love someone because of what he is. Not because of what he has or what he can do. There will be the time when he would could not the things he could do before. There will be a time when he will no longer possess the looks he has before. If I really love that someone, no matter what happens to him I would love him. Maybe I liked something that he can do that makes me attracted to him, but you see, like is different from love.

                        Love is a very strange disease. Once you are affected by it, it is very difficult to get out of its affection. What I said is very difficult but never impossible. Love is the noblest frailty of the mind. Yes, it is a weakness. One proof is when your special someone goes near and you felt your legs tremble, your hands become cold and you could not think cleverly, thus you felt weak. Yet a weakness, but it is the noblest of all weakness. They say that love is blind. Love conquers all. Love knows no boundaries. Love is in the air. But for me the best metaphor is this. Love is when he adores your big feet. I am not talking about the literal meaning where your loved one will actually adore your feet. The point is, when you’re in love, you do not care about someone’s abnormalities or disabilities. I you really love him then, you would like anything about him. You will love all the things he does. Even the things he does are not good enough you would still appreciate it no matter what. Your loved one is your happiness. Time lies when you’re happy. Love makes time pass. Love really is easy to say yet it is very difficult to explain.

                        I have experienced to be in love. Love for God, love for my family and of course love for somebody who is special are the loves I have felt. She who has never loved has never lived, as what John Gay said. I think what I experienced is not the romantic love they say but it is that what you call puppy love, in teenagers. There is this boy whom I always think of before. This line may be cheesy but whenever he is near I can feel my heart pump very quick and I can hear the beat very loud. Whenever he is near I don’t know what to do. I always go to this part of me where I can’t think wisely. My mind feels blank. The world stops. I always want him close. I want him to stay beside me. His name always stays in my mind. The feeling always stay that way whenever he goes near. The mood stays awkward for me but never in him because he does not know what I feel. I thought that what I am feeling is just normal because we were friends. We were friends and it is what we should be. I don’t want to ruin our friendship. The sense is he is very near yet very far.

                         Love isn’t finding someone you can live with. It is finding someone you can’t live without. If you would have a chance to choose that someone you can’t live without, what will he possess? Me, I will choose somebody who will love me in all means. I will choose someone who will be patient being with me and will not complain because he loves me too. I will choose someone who is loyal to me and honest in all times. I don’t care if he is not rich as long as he will stay beside me all throughout I will choose him. I will choose somebody who is willing to defend me at all times. He who is willing to comfort me during problem strikes. He who cares for me and tries his best in all the things he will do. I also want someone brave and courageous. He who is not into the things that will make me happy but to the things that are the best for me is someone I would choose. Being intelligent, responsible and industrious is a bonus. Good looking is alright but good mannered is the best. Being a gentleman will also do.

                        Being in love is not a problem but always make sure not to give all. When you give your heart to someone always leave a stock or yourself. We will never know when someone is serious to us. A man saying he loves you is a very common scene, but someone who cannot explain why he loves you only occurs once in a million. Love is very easy to say, but, very difficult to explain.