Monday, March 26, 2007

MY LIFE HERE IN UP...


When I was still in my elementary years, I always wish to step in UP High SCHOOL campus. I mean to be one of all those gifted and intellectual students someday.

And now, I am here. I am now a UPian. I wasn’t the one who was gazing near the gate- observing the UP students’ laughter inside the campus.

My life here in UP is very unexplainable. All of these are unexpected. I thought at first that it very, very hard to catch up all the lessons here. But it’s alright. Because all the teachers here in UP are good and nice. They are all showing their efforts and they show their best in teaching all the students. I thought at first that I can’t have a time with my friends. I thought I’ll be with my notebooks and books all the time. In fact, I can always see my friends always. We even have a time for fun. In UP, I think all the people there are very friendly. Because every time we meet each student, we say ‘hi’ and they will answer ‘hello’.

But my life in UP would not be complete with out my perfect friends. I know that they are always there for me. They concern for me. They comfort me whenever I am sad. They are always there for me. I can’t stay long in UP without them. They are Janelle, the most Kikay friend of mine; Jurrine, the cutest among the group; John Rhey, the most chatty person-not just in the group, instead the whole class; and of course, Irene, my best friend. Irene is the one who comforts me always.

And of course, the man of my dreams…

He really isn’t that special for me. It is just that he has a very cute face. He is very close to every girl in the campus. I don’t like him because he is very, very naughty. But he is actually very charming. I can always see him smile. Every time I go to the canteen, I can see him. He is there! He is always there together with his friends.

My life in UP wouldn’t also be complete without my most-hated person. But I am not angry with him. Actually, he is my classmate. And he is not just alone; they are two people whom I hated to see. They always make me feel irritated. Whenever they pass on my side, all my things will be ruined. Sometimes my notebook fell and sometimes my writings are damaged. Huh! But sometimes, they make the class rock.

Oooohhhh…. My life here in UP is really magnificent. They are times when I feel blue, my friends are there; And when times come that I am very, very happy, there comes my enemies; and when I have been doing wrong, there are teachers and educators who guide us to the right way.

Yes… my existence here the University of the Philippines goes up and down. There are many things in here, which made me realize about life.

I’m proud to be a UPian!!!

IS HONESTY REALLY THE BEST POLICY?


Is honesty really the best policy? Have you ever been tempted to lie?

Well…of course! For me, I have lied for so many times. I know I have lied for so many reasons.

It was Friday night then…and tomorrow there will be no classes! I was thinking of something. I don’t want to lie but I think I have to. I was baffled, do I really have to? I wanted to go to my classmate’s house. I don’t think that my parents would allow me to go there. My classmates told me that we are going to watch our favorite movie show there and have a bonding session with each other. Then we will also go to the internet cafĂ© for something…- something not so important.

Soon, it was Saturday. Yes, Saturday- my free day. But how can I be free if I cant even do what I wanted to. Huh!!! My parents are leaving now. I have no chance to go out.

And again and again, I am alone. I am all by myself with out nothing. Stand, stretch my body on the bed, read, and writing those balderdash things and nothing more- that’s what I did…

…until they have arrived. Yeepee!!! I was thinking that I can have a chance to go with my classmates. But was reason will I am going to tell to my parents. Shall I lie and tell to them that I am going with my classmates for our group project? Or tell to them the truth that I’ll be with my friends to do something…something really not important? Oh, God! I’ll be asking fifty pesos to them to spend it for my own fun. My conscience was disturbing me.

While my parents were still there, I need to move. I know, just a minute from now, they will be leaving for work.

“Mom, I am going to…to…to my classmate’s house,” I told her. She then scolded me. She told me to stay and just rest. But resting for the whole night isn’t my habit. In fact, I was really, really bored. I have nothing more to do. “Ma, we are going to finish our project now. This project is due on Monday,” I added. Until she said, “yes”. She gave a fifty-peso bill to me. After some time I stepped out. But I wasn’t comfortable. My conscience was still there. I was blaming myself. I don’t know what to do. “Hakuna matata? No worries?” how can I be confident if I have already done wrong. After all, it was me who forced to escape the boredom.

I know I have lied. I thought going along with friends is just part of growing up. But lying isn’t a part of growing up. I lied! I should have told to my parents what is really my intention.

But for every mistake, there is a lesson. I know I have done wrong.

For me, honesty isn’t the best policy. Honesty is truthfulness. It has a lesson. Honesty is something to be followed.

Sunday, March 25, 2007

QUIT OR FORGET?

How can you forget somebody, whom you have learned to love? Would you mind to do something to everything for your friendship?

My family used to transfer from one place to another. I think the house that we are living in now is the sixth. Yes! You have read it right…it’s our sixth house.

When I was still around 6 or 7 years old, we used to live and stay at Camella Homes. It is located at Lapu-lapu city- a far away place from the house that we are truly staying in now. That place is a subdivision. Only a few car passed by, and we all know our neighborhoods. So everybody can walk, run, or play along the street…all the time…every time. But sometimes we should also watch out for some vehicles that will pass which are also owned by the people living there. Every 4:30 or around 5:00 in the afternoon, my friends and I used to play annoyingly. I have lots of friends there. And because our houses were just near from each other, we can play all the time. When we are all together, we always imagine that we are the Power Puff Girls. Yes, it is funny to think about it, but it is also something that we shared. It is something that we can treasure and remember every time we miss each other.

I always remember when we all went near the lagoon, and being scolded by our parents. I always remember when we used to go at the chapel on the month of May. Every time the month of flowers comes, we go to the chapel and pray there. It is called the Flores de Mayo. It is still on my mind when we have a caroling in our own homes. We sang Christmas songs and our parents gave us 20 or 50 pesos. It is great. It is still with me- the laughter, our joys, the tears that we shared the excitement, and the failures.

But now, it seems to be nothing. It is really nothing at all. I always think if they still remember me. They even don’t know where I am now.

I think I quit in the group. But I don’t know…

We are all friends. I am the one who left them first. I was the one

who stayed away from them. Do these mean that I quitted? That I have ruined the faction?

At first, I need to adjust, but now, I have adjusted.

I know that I really didn’t quit. I didn’t forget them. There are all still on my mind. I know that we are far apart from each other. But if everything goes wrong, I can see them. I know that they are still with me. And I hope they still remember me. Because I know that a true friend is someone whom you are special with.

I know I did not quit…and I know that I didn’t forget. They are still my friends.

ALLOWING A ROOM FOR AN UNKNOW MISTAKE


There are times when my sister got angry at me for the reason that I do not know. There are things that she thinks I am doing just for my own sake. But the truth is she is wrong. She is really, really wrong. There are many things that I am doing not only for me but also for her. She is very special to me. I don’t think she knows that. In the family, only we are the ones who are very close to each other. We share our secret with each other. We share our deep insights and feelings. We share everything that we can contribute for each other. I do things which I know that can help keep our friendship forever. My sister is my best friend. I know that I am also the best among all her other friends.

But of course, there are also times that we have some misunderstanding. There are instances that things go wrong to us.

My mother won a galloon of ice cream for the raffle in JY Square Supermarket. We were so happy because the day before that day was her birthday. We ate and ate. After a cup, we then ask for another. My sister consumed a lot even though she had a cold. I told her to stop in taking the ice cream. But she didn’t mind. She told me that I just don’t want her to have another cup so that I can have more part of the ice cream than hers. But I don’t have any intention to do it. I just want to help her make well her colds. Yet, she didn’t understand. She kept on telling me that I must mind my own business. She doesn’t know that I’m just doing it for her own good. She doesn’t know that I am doing it because I think that it is good for her.

But I appreciate it. I know that, that ice cream is her favorite. Especially that its flavor was chocolate. Huh…I understand. She is too young to know what is right from wrong.

After that, she then looks right through and snub at me. She then got angry at me. I tried to explain to her what I really mean. I am just thinking of her. My sister is sometimes, so ill-disciplined. But in contrast, she is sometimes a good girl. She also cares for me. But I also care for her as much as she thinks about me. That is why I scold her when she ate too much in fact that she has colds.

The same thing happened during her periodical exam. The day before it, I told her to study. But she kept on playing with her dolls. Especially that this dolls are newly bought. She didn’t mind. She didn’t bother to scan her books. So what I did was that I confiscated and took away her dolls. She then cry and told me that I just don’t want her to be happy. She said I don’t want her to enjoy her new dolls.

She didn’t know that all I want was for her to be able to pass the exam.

Oooohhhhh…yes, there are times that my sister and I really have some misunderstanding.

She doesn’t know, all I want is to let her know that I really care for her, that I love her.

LIFE'S CHALLENGES...

Life is full of challenges. When you wake up and rise you arms up, be ready for the day. You do not know when obstacles and hindrances come along your way. You don’t know that there is a misfortune intended for you that day.

It was my birthday when that moment happened.

My uncle called up on the phone. He said that he is coming. He will be there with us. We are going to celebrate my 7th birthday. He is my most favorite uncle. He is very kind and he cares for us. I was waiting for him for the whole day. But he didn’t come. He said he will be in our house before 3 o’clock p.m. It was already around 4:30 o’clock but still he was not there up to now. I felt a little bit of sadness at that moment.

We ate supper without my uncle. My mother began slicing the roll of chocolate cake.

Then my fork was dropped on the floor. Suddenly, somebody knocked on the door. He is there! My uncle came!

He kept on explaining why he came late. He was so sorry about it. But I understand.

He brought an umbrella for me. It was his gift for me. I don’t like it but it’s alright. In fact, I should be thankful for someone gave an umbrella to me.

My mother gave him a slice of the creamy and moist chocolate cake. Meanwhile, dad asked me to buy a bottle of soft drinks. My sister went with me. When I crossed the street with my sister, there were no vehicles. I was like a crazy lady that I stayed at the center. My sister ran towards the other side. She shouted at me, “Pagdali sad, uy. Father is waiting”. But I was chitchatting that time. I was still at the center of the street. I thought the street was all mine. I was confident that no vehicle will pass. I kept on walking and running the road. Suddenly, I didn’t notice that a motor vehicle was coming. My sister shouted. I know that the cruise will bump me. 3…2…1…

Huh… thank God! I wasn’t knocked by the vehicle. I cried, I sob, I screamed. My sister and I went back to the house. My father asked us where the soft drink is. We didn’t answer. My sister said to my mom, “hapit maligsan si ate.” We didn’t tell dad because I know he would be very angry. He was also drunk at that time.

After some hours, my uncle decided to go home. Of course, as what most Filipino do, my dad went with my uncle outside the house. My dad told me to stay because it was pass 10 o’clock p.m. but I can’t stay. So what I did is that I followed them outside. My uncle’s red car was parked at the other side. So they need to cross. I was behind them. My dad didn’t know that I was following them. I decided not to cross to avoid repeating what happened a while ago. But I wanted to.

I ran immediately because my uncle was leaving already. Again, I didn’t notice that a vehicle was coming. My father ran to save me. Yes, he has saved me. I was really ashamed. We went home.

My father told my mom what happened. My mom then said, “Hah? Hapit, NA SAD!!!”

Mom said ‘again’. Oh, God! Dad will make a “double-sermon” at me…

…if you know what I mean!

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH M/V DOULUS AND BOOKS

I was so excited! Our teachers told us that we are going to MV Doulos. We are going to have a trip there. MV Doulos was the biggest ship that carries many, many books. I was really very thrilled. We rode on a jeepney that time. We were grouped and asked to have our partners. I was with Irene then.

After some time, we were there. We were on the port. As we entered the gate of the mammoth seaport, we were all amazed with the huge boat. We can already take a look on the MV Doulos.

Hmmmmmmm…what’s inside? Does the ship carry millions of books for everybody? Are there canteens for us to have our nibble? I was really very tickled to go inside that vessel.

We then fell in line. The security team really checked everybody who entered there. After a while, we were already inside. We saw oodles of books. The tome were piled up on the shelf layer by layer according to there topics and headings. Irene and I opened and scanned all the books there. We saw the books entitled “The Purpose Driven Life”. There are also lots of story books and activity books for kids. I wanted to buy one for my sister but it cost very expensive. Of course, it is stacked on a ship. We should not expect them to sell books that cost like we are in an ordinary bookstore. It’s different if you buy there. The books there have a name. It is something to be proud with that you went there. It is considered as a souvenir.

I love the ship. Everybody was happy. But the most striking moment there was when we went out the book store and went to the lobby. We don’t know that if we went out, we can’t reenter there. So Irene and I just stayed on the place there which have a book sale. There, we found out that there are also books at that place. The books there are cheaper than the ones inside. We saw books and CD’s that cost 3 for 50 pesos. We decided to buy but everybody was already asked to leave and go out the liner. Irene told me that we shall have even one book from the Doulos. But we can’t do anything. We were too late. Everybody shall leave.

We went down the vessel. I thought that we were going back the school. But the truth is we won’t. We are going to the other side of that convey. Somebody will entertain and will have a homily to us. There were games and prizes for the winners.

After, we all left. We again rode on the jeepney that we have aboard last time. There, we talked and talked about the great experiences on MV Doulos.

That time was a very great experience- something to be treasured and cherished for the rest of our lives. I was tired and at the same time I am happy. I was very, very happy and contented for that day.

How I wish I can go back there for the 2nd time. I love MV Doulos…

Friday, March 9, 2007

ON BEING TAUGHT BY STUDENTS

I woke up in the early hours of the day. I stepped on the floor and look myself at the mirror. I was really excited to go to school for the reason that it was the day wherein our school will be going to celebrate the KYSD- Know Your School Day. When I took a bath in the cold and frosty water early that morning, I was thinking of what will happen when my classmates are the ones who are going to handle us instead our bona fide teachers. Questions are coming up on my head- Are we going to have a regular class? ; Or we are going to have a messy class because they are only my classmates and we are just the same and identical from each other?

I went to school excitedly and waited for my other classmates to come.
In a little while, the school bell rang and our classes started. The first area under discussion is the Computer subject. Our teacher at that point in time was Rheena, one of my close friends. The class was very noisy and Teacher Rheena kept on shouting and tried to be the one in charge of us. But some of my classmates don’t want listen at her. Madam Kerr, our teacher-in-charge for that subject was there and she told us to shut our mouth off. We all then became silent. So, student teacher, Rheena continued her discussions.

When we were being taught by Rheena, I wasn’t so nervous because I know that she is not so strict. I know she don’t know how to scold us. But, somehow, I was also afraid when she would lose her temper and then she will be unable to find her control to us. She might tell the teacher that we were so messy and disorganized- and this another deduction to our points.

For other subject that was managed by a student-teacher, it was also alright. But do you know what; I thought at first that some of my classmates that were asked to manage and handle the class will be having favoritism or a bias and preferential treatment. But I believe I was in the wrong thought.
After all, I already make out that my classmates are all very competitive. And I appreciate and understand that.

There was also an instance in which I thought that this student teacher of ours will be having an awfully long and difficult question paper. I was afraid because this stand-in teacher teaches not so clearly. I was afraid if he will give us an examination with some items that he has not talk about and point out a while ago.

But still, at first, I can call myself as an ‘ignorant’ one about the KYSD. At first, I was excited and keyed up about the said circumstance. In fact, it was my first time to have been taught formally by a student ever in my life.
Huuuuhhhh… I was so happy to have an opportunity to know my school more; to know how a teacher teaches the students. Actually, it was a very, very memorable day.