Almost all of the people use vehicles as their means of transportation. These vehicles ran on different surfaces. A group of researchersn (ther were four researchers who worked on this study and myself is included) from UP high school became interested on something. This something is the relationship between the surface on which a vehicle runs, and the acceleration of that vehicle as it runs. This led to research study entitled "Effects of Different Surfaces on the Acceleration of a Toy Car."
Our study aimed to determine the effects of different surfaces on tha acceleration of the vehicle. since we are poor, we could not afford to use a real car for our research, so we use a toy car instead. We ran the toy car (ten times) on six surfaces, namely: asphalt, wood, ngrass, ice, concrete and sand. To get its acceleration, we used the formula: a=(vf-vi)/t where a is acceleration, vf is the initial velocity, vi is the initial velocity, and t is time. We ran the toy car on a straight line five meters long. we recorded its motion by a video camera. The data were uploaded into the computer and were analyzed.
After the data was analyzed, it showed that the toy car accelerated fastest on concrete (1.475 m/s^2). its acceleration on asphalt and wood were 1.020 m/s^2 and 1.190 m/s^2, respectively. The toy car did not run on ice surface, wwsand surface, and grass surface because it did not gain wenough contact on the ground because it was so light. The computed F-ratio of 1029.467 is greater than the tabled value of 3.35, at p-.05 with (2.27) degrees of freedom, hence there is a significant difference. Wuth this, we rejected our null hypothesis. This means that there exists a significant difference in the accelerations of the toy car on different surfaces.
based on our results, the toy car accelerated fastest on concrete. wif we observe, the concrete has smoother surface, thus, concrete has lower capability of countering the motion of the toy car (I used the word "countering" because friction is always opposite the motion of an object). This shows that with lesser friction, the greater the acceleration (but when the friction between two objects are zero, it will not move at all).
Hopefully, our study can contribute new, if not, additional knowledge, regarding matters about friction.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
THE LOOK
This poem may have different meanings. For me, the first interpretation of this poem is that a look has a different effect. Strephon kissed the girl so did Robin. Colin only looked at the girl. Yet, the look of Colin left a more a lasting effect on the girl than the kisses of Strephon and Robin.
Actions speak louder than words. But for me, the eyes speak louder than the actions. Maybe because I believe in the saying that goes, “the eye is the window to a person’s soul.”
In this poem, I believe that Colin’s look spoke louder than the kisses of Strephon and Robin. Colin’s look is more meaningful to the girl than the kisses of the other two. It is evident that it is meaningful in the second stanza. Strephon’s kiss was lost in jest while Robin’s kiss was lost in play. Yet, the girl cannot forget Colin’s look.
I have another interpretation of the poem except for giving credence to the saying that “the eye is the window to a person’s soul.” My second interpretation is that unusual things have effects on people. For example, one man lives in
Time Heals
Some people say that “first impression s last.” Is this saying true? I hope not because I believe that I have changed for the better and still changing for the better to improve myself. I made a lot of mistakes before and I do not want to commit those mistakes again.
Some of my classmates say that I was really different during our first year days. They say that I was hot tempered (well, I am still hot tempered now but not as worse as before), arrogant, and obnoxious. I admit that I was like that before and I am really sorry for all these people that I had offended. I am sorry if I had hart these people through my words and actions. I did not know why I can do such things just because I cannot control my anger. I hope there was some way that I could have controlled it so that I could not have hurt so many people. There was even one time that a classmate of mine asked if my hair will not die because of too much hair gel that I apply on it. I was really mad at her because I felt gravely insulted. Looking back at the old days, I realize that I was so stupid for having been like that.
I know that I have so many imperfections but I do not want to be remembered as a person with so many imperfections. I know that I have been stupid. My stupidity made me a person with few friends. I have few friends who know me better than anyone else and who understand my stupidity. They love me as me and they try to help me in times that I am so down.. I was really hoping that I could have a bigger circle of friends. I am really hoping that people can forgive me and understand me. I am really hoping thankful that a special kind of girl came into my life and understands me above all. She opened her door for me and gave me a chance. She chose me and loved me for being me. Do you want to know who this girl is? Well, she is the special girl ii love. She is my girlfriend right now. She was the girl who asked me if my hair would not die because of too much hair gel applied on it.
I know that I offended a lot of people and I want them to forgive me. I will prove to them that I can still change for the better. I have my friends and my girlfriend who will help in doing this. I know that I left bad impressions last on the minds of many but I would like to ask them to open their hearts and know the good side of me. After all, even the worst person on earth still has some traces of goodness inside of him. Even though I am like this, I still have a positive side to prove and I would want people to see it.
I hope that as time passes by, they will learn to forgive and forget all those things that I have done that offended them. I will wait for that time to come. Again, I am sorry.
Some of my classmates say that I was really different during our first year days. They say that I was hot tempered (well, I am still hot tempered now but not as worse as before), arrogant, and obnoxious. I admit that I was like that before and I am really sorry for all these people that I had offended. I am sorry if I had hart these people through my words and actions. I did not know why I can do such things just because I cannot control my anger. I hope there was some way that I could have controlled it so that I could not have hurt so many people. There was even one time that a classmate of mine asked if my hair will not die because of too much hair gel that I apply on it. I was really mad at her because I felt gravely insulted. Looking back at the old days, I realize that I was so stupid for having been like that.
I know that I have so many imperfections but I do not want to be remembered as a person with so many imperfections. I know that I have been stupid. My stupidity made me a person with few friends. I have few friends who know me better than anyone else and who understand my stupidity. They love me as me and they try to help me in times that I am so down.. I was really hoping that I could have a bigger circle of friends. I am really hoping that people can forgive me and understand me. I am really hoping thankful that a special kind of girl came into my life and understands me above all. She opened her door for me and gave me a chance. She chose me and loved me for being me. Do you want to know who this girl is? Well, she is the special girl ii love. She is my girlfriend right now. She was the girl who asked me if my hair would not die because of too much hair gel applied on it.
I know that I offended a lot of people and I want them to forgive me. I will prove to them that I can still change for the better. I have my friends and my girlfriend who will help in doing this. I know that I left bad impressions last on the minds of many but I would like to ask them to open their hearts and know the good side of me. After all, even the worst person on earth still has some traces of goodness inside of him. Even though I am like this, I still have a positive side to prove and I would want people to see it.
I hope that as time passes by, they will learn to forgive and forget all those things that I have done that offended them. I will wait for that time to come. Again, I am sorry.
Poor Juan
Why is the Philippines once one of the wealthiest countries in Asia now one of the poorest? Why do most Filipinos starve and does not have complete meal a day?
Why are Filipinos poor?
The government blames the people because population explosion in the Philippines that made the country poorer. The people also, put the blame on the government for its corrupt government officials. Who should be blamed then?
The population of the Filipinos, according to most estimates, already reached eighty million. Why did the population ballooned like this? There was even what they call the two child policy but what can you see? Most of the Filipino couples have more than two children. We have birth control pills in our drug stores yet the population is still increasing. Even without birth control pills, condoms, and other contraceptives, the parents can control the birth of the mother if they only have discipline. Discipline is the key. Sad to say, most of the families that have two or more children are those families that are poor.
Have you heard of the fertilizer scam? Have you heard about the price of the deco lamps? Do you know the cost of the Cebu International Convention Center? These amount to very large sum of money. Much of the money went into the pockets of corrupt government officials. Why are there corrupt officials? They as corrupt officials came to being because they are lazy. They are lazy and do not want to work hard to earn money that is why they corrupt money. They are not willing to sacrifice to get what they want because they are lazy. This is I think the same reason why we have gamblers and drug lords.
There is no side to be blamed. We do not have to blame the government. The government also must not blame the people for the Philippines’ poverty. We should blame ourselves. Because of our character, we contributed to the falling of the Philippines. If we want to change something in the Philippines as a whole, we should start the change inside us. The change should start within ourselves.
Why are Filipinos poor?
The government blames the people because population explosion in the Philippines that made the country poorer. The people also, put the blame on the government for its corrupt government officials. Who should be blamed then?
The population of the Filipinos, according to most estimates, already reached eighty million. Why did the population ballooned like this? There was even what they call the two child policy but what can you see? Most of the Filipino couples have more than two children. We have birth control pills in our drug stores yet the population is still increasing. Even without birth control pills, condoms, and other contraceptives, the parents can control the birth of the mother if they only have discipline. Discipline is the key. Sad to say, most of the families that have two or more children are those families that are poor.
Have you heard of the fertilizer scam? Have you heard about the price of the deco lamps? Do you know the cost of the Cebu International Convention Center? These amount to very large sum of money. Much of the money went into the pockets of corrupt government officials. Why are there corrupt officials? They as corrupt officials came to being because they are lazy. They are lazy and do not want to work hard to earn money that is why they corrupt money. They are not willing to sacrifice to get what they want because they are lazy. This is I think the same reason why we have gamblers and drug lords.
There is no side to be blamed. We do not have to blame the government. The government also must not blame the people for the Philippines’ poverty. We should blame ourselves. Because of our character, we contributed to the falling of the Philippines. If we want to change something in the Philippines as a whole, we should start the change inside us. The change should start within ourselves.
How I Want To Be Remembered (part 2)...
I like soccer very much. In fact, soccer is my new favorite sport. Actually, I already had a like on this game even when I was still in elementary. I just improved my soccer skills only when I am in fourth year high school. When I entered UP high school, I wanted to play soccer even when I was still a freshman but I found it less fun and boring to be practicing and playing alone. Now in fourth year, my other senior classmates now have growing interest in the game soccer. My attitude towards soccer was rekindled. I now find it more fun to play with my senior classmates than kicking or passing the ball to the wall when I was playing by myself. My like for the game soccer was even aggravated when we won champion in soccer versus the juniors in the UP High School Intramurals ’06. It was a great honor because junior students are known for their great soccer skills. Some of us even assumed that they would be the champion in that game, but they were wrong. On the championship, our final score was 2-1. What made our victory more special to me is that all our two goals came from me. It was such a great experience and I like to reminisce about it. Like me, I also want others to remember me as a soccer player.
For sure, there are a lot of things that my classmates will remember about me, but for me, I like them to think of the game soccer whenever they remember me. Actually, I do not like to play basketball because I do not know how. But I know soccer. It is even more tiring to keep running in the soccer field than in basketball court. I want them to remember me playing the international sport soccer.
I mentioned earlier that there are a lot of things that my classmates will surely remember about me. Those are things like CWTS, open forum, and others. Maybe, they will remember me as an officer, a very harsh officer. They say, I am considered harsh because I give them cruel punishments when they commit mistake. But I hope that if they get to remember me, they will remember me in some ways and will not always associate me with this.
I may look serious, but deep inside me, I am a happy go lucky person. I can say that I am a happy go lucky person because sometimes, I find it more pleasurable to sleep rather than listening to discussions that I already studied the night before. I cannot say that I am lazy because I sleep in classes because when there is a work to be done, I will do it (blog making was an exception because writing is one of the things in my “not to do list” but I must write in order to have grade).
There are many things that one can associate with me, but I would like them to remember me with a soccer ball and a face with carefree look.
For sure, there are a lot of things that my classmates will remember about me, but for me, I like them to think of the game soccer whenever they remember me. Actually, I do not like to play basketball because I do not know how. But I know soccer. It is even more tiring to keep running in the soccer field than in basketball court. I want them to remember me playing the international sport soccer.
I mentioned earlier that there are a lot of things that my classmates will surely remember about me. Those are things like CWTS, open forum, and others. Maybe, they will remember me as an officer, a very harsh officer. They say, I am considered harsh because I give them cruel punishments when they commit mistake. But I hope that if they get to remember me, they will remember me in some ways and will not always associate me with this.
I may look serious, but deep inside me, I am a happy go lucky person. I can say that I am a happy go lucky person because sometimes, I find it more pleasurable to sleep rather than listening to discussions that I already studied the night before. I cannot say that I am lazy because I sleep in classes because when there is a work to be done, I will do it (blog making was an exception because writing is one of the things in my “not to do list” but I must write in order to have grade).
There are many things that one can associate with me, but I would like them to remember me with a soccer ball and a face with carefree look.
Progression?
The Philippines was the second to Japan when it comes to the wealthy nations in Asia. But now, we are only second to Bangladesh as the poorest country. What happened to our country? What happened to our leaders? What happened to us Filipinos?
Nowadays, political ads on both televisions and radios are so common. Walls on the streets are also starting to look dirty because of so many flyers posted on them. Political killings are also alarming. More Filipinos are getting hungry everyday. If I were a politician, I would rather spend my money on feeding the hungry people than spending it on the endorsement by some famous actors and actresses. The Philippines needs money to help its people rise from poverty and yet this politicians are wasting so much money on their p[political ads. Politicians should know that they should be loved by the people because they arte good and effective not because they are endorsed by famous icons on television. The voters are also responsible for choosing their right leaders that will manage the country. They should look on the performance of a real leader and not on the money that they pay other people for them to win.
During the ASEAN or the Association of South East Asia Nations, Cebu had spent or should I say wasted so much money on the so called “deco lamps.” The Deco lamps are futile and just a waste of money because they are not enough to light the streets. A lot of money was also wasted on spent on expensive flowers planted on the center of the streets. As expected, these flowers died because of the blazing heat from the sun. Another worthless project during the ASEAN was the Cebu International Convention Center or CICC. Millions were wasted on this. If only the money was spent on building houses for the poor, then this country may progress. New cars were also bought during the ASEAN, but the sad thing about it is, is that it is now being used by some politicians for their own benefits. Hundreds of thousands were also wasted on the very expensive for the guests.
The Philippines is a third world country. This country needs good leaders who can manage the country well. This country also needs people who will cooperate with the government. This coming election, may the voters vote the right leaders.
Nowadays, political ads on both televisions and radios are so common. Walls on the streets are also starting to look dirty because of so many flyers posted on them. Political killings are also alarming. More Filipinos are getting hungry everyday. If I were a politician, I would rather spend my money on feeding the hungry people than spending it on the endorsement by some famous actors and actresses. The Philippines needs money to help its people rise from poverty and yet this politicians are wasting so much money on their p[political ads. Politicians should know that they should be loved by the people because they arte good and effective not because they are endorsed by famous icons on television. The voters are also responsible for choosing their right leaders that will manage the country. They should look on the performance of a real leader and not on the money that they pay other people for them to win.
During the ASEAN or the Association of South East Asia Nations, Cebu had spent or should I say wasted so much money on the so called “deco lamps.” The Deco lamps are futile and just a waste of money because they are not enough to light the streets. A lot of money was also wasted on spent on expensive flowers planted on the center of the streets. As expected, these flowers died because of the blazing heat from the sun. Another worthless project during the ASEAN was the Cebu International Convention Center or CICC. Millions were wasted on this. If only the money was spent on building houses for the poor, then this country may progress. New cars were also bought during the ASEAN, but the sad thing about it is, is that it is now being used by some politicians for their own benefits. Hundreds of thousands were also wasted on the very expensive for the guests.
The Philippines is a third world country. This country needs good leaders who can manage the country well. This country also needs people who will cooperate with the government. This coming election, may the voters vote the right leaders.
On Growing Old
Most people fear death. They are afraid to die because they still have so many things to do here on earth. They are afraid to die because they just want to live. Sometimes some people wish they were immortals so that they will have an endless life. God said that heaven is where we will live eternally but still many people choose to stay alive here on this world than to experience a different touch of happiness in heaven. If someone asks me right now if I am afraid to die, my answer would be no. I am not afraid to die, I am just afraid of not being with the ones I love.
If I were to plan my life, I would choose to live longer. Before, I always wanted to be a doctor that is why I would like to take up BS Biology in UP College but then, I feel that BS Biology is not the course for me that is why I have decided to shift from BS Biology to Political Science. I want to be a lawyer this time. Actually, I do not know why I changed my mind but I hope I made the right decision. I want to be a successful lawyer. I want to have a simple life and a simple home. It does not matter to me if the house is big or it is small. I do not care if it is expensive or not as long as it can be called home. I want to help my parents when I can finally finish my studies and become a professional. I want them to rest, or should I say, I want them to stop working. I know that they have already worked hard for the both of us (my sister and I). I also want to get married someday. My wife may not be good at household chores but as long as she loves me, it does not matter. We would have beautiful children. We will be happy. I will work hard so that I can send our children to a good school. Then one day, when our children are already finish in their studies and they are independent enough to go on with their own lives, then my wife and I would be ready to die. I wish that we could grow old together and die together but as what people always say. He only knows how and when He will take us back.
Life is just too short. I want to treat each day as if it is my last. I will let the ones I love know that I love them everyday. I will never lose hope as long as I live. Life here on earth is too short so I want to make the most out of it. Live life to the fullest!
If I were to plan my life, I would choose to live longer. Before, I always wanted to be a doctor that is why I would like to take up BS Biology in UP College but then, I feel that BS Biology is not the course for me that is why I have decided to shift from BS Biology to Political Science. I want to be a lawyer this time. Actually, I do not know why I changed my mind but I hope I made the right decision. I want to be a successful lawyer. I want to have a simple life and a simple home. It does not matter to me if the house is big or it is small. I do not care if it is expensive or not as long as it can be called home. I want to help my parents when I can finally finish my studies and become a professional. I want them to rest, or should I say, I want them to stop working. I know that they have already worked hard for the both of us (my sister and I). I also want to get married someday. My wife may not be good at household chores but as long as she loves me, it does not matter. We would have beautiful children. We will be happy. I will work hard so that I can send our children to a good school. Then one day, when our children are already finish in their studies and they are independent enough to go on with their own lives, then my wife and I would be ready to die. I wish that we could grow old together and die together but as what people always say. He only knows how and when He will take us back.
Life is just too short. I want to treat each day as if it is my last. I will let the ones I love know that I love them everyday. I will never lose hope as long as I live. Life here on earth is too short so I want to make the most out of it. Live life to the fullest!
The Problem With Men And Women
One of the problems in women is that there are times that they are so sensitive and there are also times that they are so insensitive. They are sensitive because they cannot handle a joke well. They easily get offended because they take the joke seriously. They are also insensitive because, when there is something that you want to say and you cannot say it, and the only way for that something to be noticed is through actions, they cannot easily get what you mean through your actions. What is worse is that sometimes, they misinterpret what you say or do.
Another thing that I consider a problem with women is that they are so dramatic. As observed, when there are quarrels, quarrels that end easily are quarrels among boys (the boys do not like to quarrel among ourselves in the first place). The long quarrels are always quarrels between girls, or any quarrel where one or more of the parties involved are girls.
The problem with men, also, as for me, is being hot tempered. I do not know what really causes me to be hot tempered. Sometimes also, we are insensitive to the feelings of others.
Unlike girls, boys seldom cry. Crying does not mean weakness. it is the way of letting feelings out. This, I consider, is a problem with most of us men. We tend to keep feelings to ourselves. We keep emotions that should not be kept supposedly. Maybe, this is because of our pride. This also is one thing that is a problem to some boys.
Another thing that I consider a problem with women is that they are so dramatic. As observed, when there are quarrels, quarrels that end easily are quarrels among boys (the boys do not like to quarrel among ourselves in the first place). The long quarrels are always quarrels between girls, or any quarrel where one or more of the parties involved are girls.
The problem with men, also, as for me, is being hot tempered. I do not know what really causes me to be hot tempered. Sometimes also, we are insensitive to the feelings of others.
Unlike girls, boys seldom cry. Crying does not mean weakness. it is the way of letting feelings out. This, I consider, is a problem with most of us men. We tend to keep feelings to ourselves. We keep emotions that should not be kept supposedly. Maybe, this is because of our pride. This also is one thing that is a problem to some boys.
Love Is An Act of Will
Sometimes, when we talk about love, we easily associate it with the heart. For some people, for them, heart is the most special part of the body because it enables them to feel different kinds of emotions. People think that the heart can feel the emotions they have but according to scientific researches, heart is not the organ that can feel these kinds of emotions. The word “heart,” is always used in conversations about love like; “take care of my heart,” “my heart belongs to you,” and etc, but is love really the act of the heart?
When you love a person, you always want to be with her and you will do your very best to spend quality time with her. For us students, we try to fit in to our busy schedule the time that should be spent with the people we love. We want to be with the person because we love them. We want to do things that make the people we love happy. So, therefore, I can say that love is an act of will.
Love is an act of will because love is something you want and this is our will that we do these things for love. Let us take this example of a guy courting a girl. He courts the girl he loves because he loves her. You are willing to get hurt when you love someone. You are willing to do this, do that, in the name of love. You are willing to work hard for your family because it is your will to make them happy and give them a better life. When you are loving someone, your will is to make that person happy. Like the song with the lyrics-“I will do anything for love.” The word “will” there signifies that love is an act of will. It means that we want to do these things for love, wether it is right or wrong, wether it is easy or not, what we know is that we are loving and when we love, we try to give them everything they want and need, because we are willing to give it to them. We even give them the authority to break our hearts.
One thing that we should remember when we love, we should love a person expecting nothing in return. We should not think that because we have loved them, they will also love us back. It is our will that we chose to love them, and not their will.
When you love a person, you always want to be with her and you will do your very best to spend quality time with her. For us students, we try to fit in to our busy schedule the time that should be spent with the people we love. We want to be with the person because we love them. We want to do things that make the people we love happy. So, therefore, I can say that love is an act of will.
Love is an act of will because love is something you want and this is our will that we do these things for love. Let us take this example of a guy courting a girl. He courts the girl he loves because he loves her. You are willing to get hurt when you love someone. You are willing to do this, do that, in the name of love. You are willing to work hard for your family because it is your will to make them happy and give them a better life. When you are loving someone, your will is to make that person happy. Like the song with the lyrics-“I will do anything for love.” The word “will” there signifies that love is an act of will. It means that we want to do these things for love, wether it is right or wrong, wether it is easy or not, what we know is that we are loving and when we love, we try to give them everything they want and need, because we are willing to give it to them. We even give them the authority to break our hearts.
One thing that we should remember when we love, we should love a person expecting nothing in return. We should not think that because we have loved them, they will also love us back. It is our will that we chose to love them, and not their will.
Loneliness
The poem is about one person who opened the world of another person. To make it clear, I will assume that the first person is a girl, and the second person is a boy.
Although the boy closed his doors and closed his world, the girl still managed to open it. The boy likened himself to a rose. When you force open a rose bud (the rose is closed), you cannot do it without damaging the petals or the rose itself. But the girl, impossible as it may seem, opened the world of the boy, without force and without damaging him, just like a rose bud that is opened without hurting its petals.
Also, for me, the boy is living his life for the girl. If the girl wants to see him gone, he will die willingly. Willingly will he die because of his love for the girl. There will be sweetness in the death of the boy if he can make the girl happy.
The title of the poem was meaningfully separated. The first line of the title which is “l(a” emphasizes singularity. The letter “l” is like number one, meaning alone, and the other letter “a” is an article that means only one. The following lines, when put together reads ”leaf falls.” For me, it is a tragedy. Imagine you are a leaf, and then you fall. It means it is your end. What is more tragic is that you fall alone (leaf falls). The third to the last part of the title (one) means loneliness. It means you are alone. It is the same with the word after it (1). The letter “l” again is like number one, meaning, alone. The last part of the title which reads “iness,” for me again, signifies loneliness. If we break the word into “i” and “ness,” we can put it this way: “i” is a Roman numeral meaning one. If we put them together, the final word will be “oneness” which means loneliness.
Although the boy closed his doors and closed his world, the girl still managed to open it. The boy likened himself to a rose. When you force open a rose bud (the rose is closed), you cannot do it without damaging the petals or the rose itself. But the girl, impossible as it may seem, opened the world of the boy, without force and without damaging him, just like a rose bud that is opened without hurting its petals.
Also, for me, the boy is living his life for the girl. If the girl wants to see him gone, he will die willingly. Willingly will he die because of his love for the girl. There will be sweetness in the death of the boy if he can make the girl happy.
The title of the poem was meaningfully separated. The first line of the title which is “l(a” emphasizes singularity. The letter “l” is like number one, meaning alone, and the other letter “a” is an article that means only one. The following lines, when put together reads ”leaf falls.” For me, it is a tragedy. Imagine you are a leaf, and then you fall. It means it is your end. What is more tragic is that you fall alone (leaf falls). The third to the last part of the title (one) means loneliness. It means you are alone. It is the same with the word after it (1). The letter “l” again is like number one, meaning, alone. The last part of the title which reads “iness,” for me again, signifies loneliness. If we break the word into “i” and “ness,” we can put it this way: “i” is a Roman numeral meaning one. If we put them together, the final word will be “oneness” which means loneliness.
Loneliness
The poem is about one person who opened the world of another person. To make it clear, I will assume that the first person is a girl, and the second person is a boy.
Although the boy closed his doors and closed his world, the girl still managed to open it. The boy likened himself to a rose. When you force open a rose bud (the rose is closed), you cannot do it without damaging the petals or the rose itself. But the girl, impossible as it may seem, opened the world of the boy, without force and without damaging him, just like a rose bud that is opened without hurting its petals.
Also, for me, the boy is living his life for the girl. If the girl wants to see him gone, he will die willingly. Willingly will he die because of his love for the girl. There will be sweetness in the death of the boy if he can make the girl happy.
The title of the poem was meaningfully separated. The first line of the title which is “l(a” emphasizes singularity. The letter “l” is like number one, meaning alone, and the other letter “a” is an article that means only one. The following lines, when put together reads ”leaf falls.” For me, it is a tragedy. Imagine you are a leaf, and then you fall. It means it is your end. What is more tragic is that you fall alone (leaf falls). The third to the last part of the title (one) means loneliness. It means you are alone. It is the same with the word after it (1). The letter “l” again is like number one, meaning, alone. The last part of the title which reads “iness,” for me again, signifies loneliness. If we break the word into “i” and “ness,” we can put it this way: “i” is a Roman numeral meaning one. If we put them together, the final word will be “oneness” which means loneliness.
Although the boy closed his doors and closed his world, the girl still managed to open it. The boy likened himself to a rose. When you force open a rose bud (the rose is closed), you cannot do it without damaging the petals or the rose itself. But the girl, impossible as it may seem, opened the world of the boy, without force and without damaging him, just like a rose bud that is opened without hurting its petals.
Also, for me, the boy is living his life for the girl. If the girl wants to see him gone, he will die willingly. Willingly will he die because of his love for the girl. There will be sweetness in the death of the boy if he can make the girl happy.
The title of the poem was meaningfully separated. The first line of the title which is “l(a” emphasizes singularity. The letter “l” is like number one, meaning alone, and the other letter “a” is an article that means only one. The following lines, when put together reads ”leaf falls.” For me, it is a tragedy. Imagine you are a leaf, and then you fall. It means it is your end. What is more tragic is that you fall alone (leaf falls). The third to the last part of the title (one) means loneliness. It means you are alone. It is the same with the word after it (1). The letter “l” again is like number one, meaning, alone. The last part of the title which reads “iness,” for me again, signifies loneliness. If we break the word into “i” and “ness,” we can put it this way: “i” is a Roman numeral meaning one. If we put them together, the final word will be “oneness” which means loneliness.
KYSD 2007
The Know Your School Day 2007 was a great success to us UPians. The Know Your School Day is an annual activity in the UP High School in Cebu where the students can experience how it feels to be a teacher, a clerk, a principal, assistant principal, and others.
This school year, I did not apply for any position in the Know Your School Day activity. I just sat down on my chair doing the casual thing as a student. As a student, I must listen to our teacher’s discussions. There were times that my eyelids are drooping down but I managed to be awake. I listened quite well because a student lecturing his or her classmates does not happen everyday. It happens only once or twice in a year and it only happens during Know Your School Day. If there were questions regarding our lessons, we can question our student teacher in a more casual way. For me, it was more or less the same feeling because I was still a student not like my other classmates that had a “change” from a student to a teacher. But I also know how it feels like to be standing in front of the class lecturing classmates.
When I was a junior student, I was a student teacher in trigonometry. I also experienced to be a student teacher in geometry when I was a sophomore. Using my experiences as my bases, I can say that the Know Your School Day activity is beneficial to us students who act as teachers. It enables us (the student teachers) to practice responsibility. Having been a student teacher, I realized that being a teacher is not so easy. You feel the pressure on you. You must not just recite some formulas and equations but you must also see to it that the students will get to understand what you are saying. You need to explain and elaborate some points that may seem hard to be understood by your students. When I was a student teacher, I realized that teaching is one of the best professions. It is one of the best in the sense that in teaching, you give what you have, and you share what you have. You cannot give something to someone if you do not have that something in the first place. Teaching also taught me on how to be patient and considerate. It taught me patience because since unnecessary noise cannot be avoided during our classes, I must be patient in handling their behavior. It taught me how to be considerate because when we checked our seat works, most of the errors of my students (my classmates) were just on rounding off numbers (I taught on Geometry and Trigonometry subjects). After teaching, I told myself that teaching is not an easy thing to do.
I am so thankful to the one who proposed this activity. We were given a chance to cultivate our being responsible. It also made us students understand the things the teachers do to us for the betterment of ourselves.
This school year, I did not apply for any position in the Know Your School Day activity. I just sat down on my chair doing the casual thing as a student. As a student, I must listen to our teacher’s discussions. There were times that my eyelids are drooping down but I managed to be awake. I listened quite well because a student lecturing his or her classmates does not happen everyday. It happens only once or twice in a year and it only happens during Know Your School Day. If there were questions regarding our lessons, we can question our student teacher in a more casual way. For me, it was more or less the same feeling because I was still a student not like my other classmates that had a “change” from a student to a teacher. But I also know how it feels like to be standing in front of the class lecturing classmates.
When I was a junior student, I was a student teacher in trigonometry. I also experienced to be a student teacher in geometry when I was a sophomore. Using my experiences as my bases, I can say that the Know Your School Day activity is beneficial to us students who act as teachers. It enables us (the student teachers) to practice responsibility. Having been a student teacher, I realized that being a teacher is not so easy. You feel the pressure on you. You must not just recite some formulas and equations but you must also see to it that the students will get to understand what you are saying. You need to explain and elaborate some points that may seem hard to be understood by your students. When I was a student teacher, I realized that teaching is one of the best professions. It is one of the best in the sense that in teaching, you give what you have, and you share what you have. You cannot give something to someone if you do not have that something in the first place. Teaching also taught me on how to be patient and considerate. It taught me patience because since unnecessary noise cannot be avoided during our classes, I must be patient in handling their behavior. It taught me how to be considerate because when we checked our seat works, most of the errors of my students (my classmates) were just on rounding off numbers (I taught on Geometry and Trigonometry subjects). After teaching, I told myself that teaching is not an easy thing to do.
I am so thankful to the one who proposed this activity. We were given a chance to cultivate our being responsible. It also made us students understand the things the teachers do to us for the betterment of ourselves.
How I Want To Be Remembered...
I know that I have a lot of mistakes in the past and I hope that people will forgive and accept me; after all, I think nobody wants to be remembered as the “bad guy in high school.” I want to be remembered in a way that people see the good side of me.
First, I want them to remember me as the guy who loves to make nonsense jokes. I want them to smile as they look back in the old days and remember that they used to laugh at my jokes not because it was a nice joke but because it was “corny” and nonsense. I would really like if they remember as the guy who sings in a different way because I have different style and a different tune in singing it. They may laugh at my way of singing but it is all right as long as I can put smiles to them as they remember me.
Second, it would be nice if they also remember me as the “soccer guy.” I admit that I am not good in playing basketball like most of the guys in the campus do, but I am quite good in soccer. I may not be the best soccer player but I always try my best to score for our team and have a nice game. I may be hot tempered at times, but I hope what they will remember in me is my passion in playing the game, my every fall and the way I run just to have a goal for the team.
As my batch mates would recall the days when we were younger, the times when we were in high school, they will remember me as one of the guys who always fall asleep during class hours. I would want them to laugh at the idea that I am sleeping safe and sound while the teacher is discussing a very difficult lesson and then, I only wake up when someone wakes me up to take up the test. I myself laugh at the thought that no matter how I rub my eyes and slightly slap my cheeks so that I cannot sleep, but still I fall asleep unintentionally. My girlfriend used to pinch me every moment she sees me sleeping during classes especially in our Practical Law class and during attending masses.
People may always remember my mistakes and the bad side of me, but I hope to find it in their hearts the right things that I have done and the good side of me. I hope that they will remember me as a tough guy with a heart. I hope that they will also appreciate the small things I have done. I hope they will remember me as me. I pray that they will remember RICHARD as a guy who wants to change for the better. I hope my friends will remember me this way (the good side of me) after so many years after finishing high school.
First, I want them to remember me as the guy who loves to make nonsense jokes. I want them to smile as they look back in the old days and remember that they used to laugh at my jokes not because it was a nice joke but because it was “corny” and nonsense. I would really like if they remember as the guy who sings in a different way because I have different style and a different tune in singing it. They may laugh at my way of singing but it is all right as long as I can put smiles to them as they remember me.
Second, it would be nice if they also remember me as the “soccer guy.” I admit that I am not good in playing basketball like most of the guys in the campus do, but I am quite good in soccer. I may not be the best soccer player but I always try my best to score for our team and have a nice game. I may be hot tempered at times, but I hope what they will remember in me is my passion in playing the game, my every fall and the way I run just to have a goal for the team.
As my batch mates would recall the days when we were younger, the times when we were in high school, they will remember me as one of the guys who always fall asleep during class hours. I would want them to laugh at the idea that I am sleeping safe and sound while the teacher is discussing a very difficult lesson and then, I only wake up when someone wakes me up to take up the test. I myself laugh at the thought that no matter how I rub my eyes and slightly slap my cheeks so that I cannot sleep, but still I fall asleep unintentionally. My girlfriend used to pinch me every moment she sees me sleeping during classes especially in our Practical Law class and during attending masses.
People may always remember my mistakes and the bad side of me, but I hope to find it in their hearts the right things that I have done and the good side of me. I hope that they will remember me as a tough guy with a heart. I hope that they will also appreciate the small things I have done. I hope they will remember me as me. I pray that they will remember RICHARD as a guy who wants to change for the better. I hope my friends will remember me this way (the good side of me) after so many years after finishing high school.
Memories
The school year 2006-2007 is about to end. Also, our time here as fourth year students is about to end.
It is now almost four years of struggling here in high school. Indeed, time flies very fast. It seems to me that everything that happened in the past is just like yesterday.
I do not know why, but whenever I think about my life in UP High and how time flies fast, I remember myself sitting in my chair in Villamor, watching the drizzle outside while tapping my “not working ball pen” against my LN (lecture notebook) in Earth Science. I can remember also that I was somehow glad that my pen was not working so that I can have the reason not to write. I can also remember the first time I slept while there was class. It was also in first year in Math subject. I finished my seatwork earlier than my classmates, so I busied myself making figures on the ceiling. Unfortunately, I fell asleep and I was waked up by my seat mate. All my classmates were laughing at me and someone told me that our teacher made fun of me when I was asleep. I can also remember the puddings that we ate when we were in first year. That pudding of our Home Tech teacher made our stomach “twitch” and it feels like everyone who ate the pudding wanted to go to the comfort room, only we were shy. That same teacher also forced six of our boys to dance for an invocation of an event. She blackmailed us by saying that we would have low grades in Physical education if we would not join the dance. Afraid of a low grade, we gave in to her demand and dance as “aetas.”
When we were in second year, the most terrible thing that happened to me was when our Algebra teacher scolded me for sleeping in classes. That really scared me. Another thing to remember was the science jingle contest. Our presentation was very horrible and we lost on that contest. In second year, we were also tagged as the worst section.
When we were in third year, the highlight was the “Kwentuhan” where each third year section presents a mini play. We had some internal problems within our section but it was solved and even resulted to unity. We lost on that contest but what mattered to me was that we were able to show our unity even when the time was running out.
ABAKADA, drama fest in theater arts, intramurals, drama fest in Filipino, and retreat were some of my highlights in my last year here in UP. We won awards in the ABAKADA (play where we enact a part of Rizal’s El Filibusterismo). I was the best actor (although there were three of us who were hailed as best actor, scores showed that it was me who got the highest score)in the Drama fest in Theater arts subject.. We won champion in the two games that I played and the seniors were the over-all champion of Intramurals ’06. We also harvested awards on the Drama Fest in Filipino. We had a successful retreat at Saint John mission last March 24-25, 2007.
There are so many things to cherish in our high school life. If given a chance, I will re-live my high school life to enjoy again and experience again things that I remember.
It is now almost four years of struggling here in high school. Indeed, time flies very fast. It seems to me that everything that happened in the past is just like yesterday.
I do not know why, but whenever I think about my life in UP High and how time flies fast, I remember myself sitting in my chair in Villamor, watching the drizzle outside while tapping my “not working ball pen” against my LN (lecture notebook) in Earth Science. I can remember also that I was somehow glad that my pen was not working so that I can have the reason not to write. I can also remember the first time I slept while there was class. It was also in first year in Math subject. I finished my seatwork earlier than my classmates, so I busied myself making figures on the ceiling. Unfortunately, I fell asleep and I was waked up by my seat mate. All my classmates were laughing at me and someone told me that our teacher made fun of me when I was asleep. I can also remember the puddings that we ate when we were in first year. That pudding of our Home Tech teacher made our stomach “twitch” and it feels like everyone who ate the pudding wanted to go to the comfort room, only we were shy. That same teacher also forced six of our boys to dance for an invocation of an event. She blackmailed us by saying that we would have low grades in Physical education if we would not join the dance. Afraid of a low grade, we gave in to her demand and dance as “aetas.”
When we were in second year, the most terrible thing that happened to me was when our Algebra teacher scolded me for sleeping in classes. That really scared me. Another thing to remember was the science jingle contest. Our presentation was very horrible and we lost on that contest. In second year, we were also tagged as the worst section.
When we were in third year, the highlight was the “Kwentuhan” where each third year section presents a mini play. We had some internal problems within our section but it was solved and even resulted to unity. We lost on that contest but what mattered to me was that we were able to show our unity even when the time was running out.
ABAKADA, drama fest in theater arts, intramurals, drama fest in Filipino, and retreat were some of my highlights in my last year here in UP. We won awards in the ABAKADA (play where we enact a part of Rizal’s El Filibusterismo). I was the best actor (although there were three of us who were hailed as best actor, scores showed that it was me who got the highest score)in the Drama fest in Theater arts subject.. We won champion in the two games that I played and the seniors were the over-all champion of Intramurals ’06. We also harvested awards on the Drama Fest in Filipino. We had a successful retreat at Saint John mission last March 24-25, 2007.
There are so many things to cherish in our high school life. If given a chance, I will re-live my high school life to enjoy again and experience again things that I remember.
Retreat 2007
Every year when the school year is about to end, fourth year students of UP High School in Cebu and some faculty members conduct retreat. It is advantageous not only to the part of the students but to some teachers and some parents as well. It is beneficial because it allows us to relax for a while, forget pressure on studies, problems, and many more.
Being a fourth year student, I took this opportunity of joining the retreat last March 24, 2007. Before eight o’ clock in the Saturday morning, we, fourth year students who wanted to join the retreat met at our UP High catwalk. When I saw some of my classmates and their bulging bags and plastics, I really got excited that I accelerated my pace to meet them. When I saw all of us, I thought to myself that that was like stargazing, only madam Gallo will not be with us and examining stars and constellations and planets and moon were not our primary business anymore.
Our retreat started right away after registration. The first topic we had was dealing with the possible outcomes if we did this and that. Every number started with “if” and we would complete the sentence. Some of the statements to be completed were, “if I get pregnant,” “if I got my girlfriend pregnant,” “if I were caught shoplifting,” and many other “to-be-finished” statements. At first, I saw those statements stupid and impossible, but then I realized that all those were possible and it can happen to anyone of us seniors. After answering religiously, we formed a group of four and discussed our answers within the group. We ended up realizing some points like being careful and prepared whatever happens.
After discussing “possible outcomes,” we did the “positive stroking.” We formed two groups. The first group was the first to sit down with eyes closed. Every member in the second group told each member of the first group words of encouragement, thanks, strong points, and other positive things. After each of the second group talked to each in the first group, we changed places. It was a nice activity because it helped us to see some goodness in us through the words of our classmates.
After that activity, madam Maglasang, the one facilitating the retreat, taught us some house rules in the monastery. We went to Saint John Mission to continue our retreat.
There were games and talks. The first thing we talked, and even debated on was about loving one’s self. In that talk, we learned that it is all right to love yourself and you should take care of yourself but not to the point of narcism. There was also a talk that said something that was true to me. In life, we are so fast and we always seem to be chased by a dinosaur that we come to point that we do not know our direction. There were many talks but my most memorable part was the open forum. It was the first open forum where both sections are present. It helped heal some broken bonds and strengthen them.
There were many things to remember in our retreat. I hope we will do it again sometime.
Being a fourth year student, I took this opportunity of joining the retreat last March 24, 2007. Before eight o’ clock in the Saturday morning, we, fourth year students who wanted to join the retreat met at our UP High catwalk. When I saw some of my classmates and their bulging bags and plastics, I really got excited that I accelerated my pace to meet them. When I saw all of us, I thought to myself that that was like stargazing, only madam Gallo will not be with us and examining stars and constellations and planets and moon were not our primary business anymore.
Our retreat started right away after registration. The first topic we had was dealing with the possible outcomes if we did this and that. Every number started with “if” and we would complete the sentence. Some of the statements to be completed were, “if I get pregnant,” “if I got my girlfriend pregnant,” “if I were caught shoplifting,” and many other “to-be-finished” statements. At first, I saw those statements stupid and impossible, but then I realized that all those were possible and it can happen to anyone of us seniors. After answering religiously, we formed a group of four and discussed our answers within the group. We ended up realizing some points like being careful and prepared whatever happens.
After discussing “possible outcomes,” we did the “positive stroking.” We formed two groups. The first group was the first to sit down with eyes closed. Every member in the second group told each member of the first group words of encouragement, thanks, strong points, and other positive things. After each of the second group talked to each in the first group, we changed places. It was a nice activity because it helped us to see some goodness in us through the words of our classmates.
After that activity, madam Maglasang, the one facilitating the retreat, taught us some house rules in the monastery. We went to Saint John Mission to continue our retreat.
There were games and talks. The first thing we talked, and even debated on was about loving one’s self. In that talk, we learned that it is all right to love yourself and you should take care of yourself but not to the point of narcism. There was also a talk that said something that was true to me. In life, we are so fast and we always seem to be chased by a dinosaur that we come to point that we do not know our direction. There were many talks but my most memorable part was the open forum. It was the first open forum where both sections are present. It helped heal some broken bonds and strengthen them.
There were many things to remember in our retreat. I hope we will do it again sometime.
Best Canteen
Our school canteen here in UP high school is not so good. In fact, it is one of the dirtiest, worst in customer service canteen that I ever saw or dined in.
First, the customer service of those working there is poor, very poor. There was one time, a girl wanted to buy an apple-flavored drink (drew). But the vendor did not want to give her the apple-flavored drink and wanted the girl to buy the orange-flavored drink instead. The vendor was clearly lazy because he did not want to stand to get the apple-flavored drink and wanted her to buy the other one that was earlier prepared ( the ice in the orange drew was already melted, and it makes the drew tastes bad). Is it not a customer’s right to choose what we want to buy?
There is another complaint on their manner of servicing their customers. Will the customers be happy if, when they buy, the change would be “credit cards?” these “credit cards” are actually small cardboards with a number that indicates the change? There is a great tendency of losing that stupid paper. Plus, since the canteen closes earlier than the class hours end, the students with paper checks cannot get their change. If they go home, and with not enough money, can they pay those “credit cards” for fare?
One thing also about its service is their lack of utensils. Will the customers be happy if when they want to eat, they themselves will have to wash the spoons and forks for themselves? They should have provided enough utensils. Sometimes, students ask, “Is this really a canteen?”
Two of the seven rights of the consumers are the right to safety and the right to a clean environment. The school canteen does not see to it that its customers are safe and have a clean environment. Have you observed the environment in the canteen? The walls are painted with dust and cobwebs. The tables are over-written wit vandals. There even were no decorations on its walls. No, there is one. It was a poster of Nestea posted when we were in first year high school. Anyway, do we not have the right to a clean environment?
We also have the right to safety. Can we consider the canteen thinking of our safety, of its customer’s safety if they sell goods that are expired? They should not sell these goods supposedly but still they sell to earn more money. Do we also not have the right to safety?
First, the customer service of those working there is poor, very poor. There was one time, a girl wanted to buy an apple-flavored drink (drew). But the vendor did not want to give her the apple-flavored drink and wanted the girl to buy the orange-flavored drink instead. The vendor was clearly lazy because he did not want to stand to get the apple-flavored drink and wanted her to buy the other one that was earlier prepared ( the ice in the orange drew was already melted, and it makes the drew tastes bad). Is it not a customer’s right to choose what we want to buy?
There is another complaint on their manner of servicing their customers. Will the customers be happy if, when they buy, the change would be “credit cards?” these “credit cards” are actually small cardboards with a number that indicates the change? There is a great tendency of losing that stupid paper. Plus, since the canteen closes earlier than the class hours end, the students with paper checks cannot get their change. If they go home, and with not enough money, can they pay those “credit cards” for fare?
One thing also about its service is their lack of utensils. Will the customers be happy if when they want to eat, they themselves will have to wash the spoons and forks for themselves? They should have provided enough utensils. Sometimes, students ask, “Is this really a canteen?”
Two of the seven rights of the consumers are the right to safety and the right to a clean environment. The school canteen does not see to it that its customers are safe and have a clean environment. Have you observed the environment in the canteen? The walls are painted with dust and cobwebs. The tables are over-written wit vandals. There even were no decorations on its walls. No, there is one. It was a poster of Nestea posted when we were in first year high school. Anyway, do we not have the right to a clean environment?
We also have the right to safety. Can we consider the canteen thinking of our safety, of its customer’s safety if they sell goods that are expired? They should not sell these goods supposedly but still they sell to earn more money. Do we also not have the right to safety?
A Movie To Remember
People say that love makes the world go round. Some say love is blind. Some say love is loving the imperfect person perfectly. A lot of things have been said about love. A lot of people defined and described love. Many tips have been formulated to have a successful love life. With all these stuffs, I still ask myself what really is love.
I have watched the movie “A Walk To Remember” and since then, I could not forget each scene of the movie. This movie is my favorite movie after all. The movie helped me realize that love is truly life-changing. A life of a person can be changed when touched by another person.
The story began with Jamie and Landon. Jamie and Landon lived in separate worlds. Jamie was one sweet religious girl while Landon was the “bad guy.” Eventually, because of Landon’s stupidity and craziness in school, the school principal punished him by giving him tasks that led him close to Jamie. Jamie and Landon belong to a school activity and this is the Spring play of the Drama Club. This event really brought them closer to each other, and eventually, falling in love with one another. Jamie touched Landon’s life and changed his cold heart. Jamie warmed it with her goodness and love for him. Landon changed for the better and became a better person. He loved Jamie and needed her which Jamie accepted Landon and gave her a chance. Too bad, Jaime had leukemia. When Landon found out that the girl of his life was dying, he could not help but break down and cry. Landon did his best to make each day of Jamie’s life happy and memorable. They shared each sweet moment together. Landon continued to love Jamie even after her death. Landon made the dream he and Jamie built come true.
After watching the movie, I realized that love is really patient and kind. Love forgives and accepts. Love gives a person the ultimate happiness he needed. Love is never selfish. In loving a person, one should always remember that getting hurt is a part of it. You are poor if you love someone because you always give love to that someone. You need that person because you love him, not that you love the person because you needed him. Love is full of surprises. Love is the unexpected. Love hurts. Love is forever.
I know that I am still too young to fully define love but I think that love does not only have one definition because love for each and every person is different. I still have so many things to learn and experience to know more about love. I may be young but I know what love is because I am feeling it right now. After all, love sees no age limit.
There is one line that I will never forget about the movie. It says, “love is like the wind. You can’t see it but you can feel it.”
I have watched the movie “A Walk To Remember” and since then, I could not forget each scene of the movie. This movie is my favorite movie after all. The movie helped me realize that love is truly life-changing. A life of a person can be changed when touched by another person.
The story began with Jamie and Landon. Jamie and Landon lived in separate worlds. Jamie was one sweet religious girl while Landon was the “bad guy.” Eventually, because of Landon’s stupidity and craziness in school, the school principal punished him by giving him tasks that led him close to Jamie. Jamie and Landon belong to a school activity and this is the Spring play of the Drama Club. This event really brought them closer to each other, and eventually, falling in love with one another. Jamie touched Landon’s life and changed his cold heart. Jamie warmed it with her goodness and love for him. Landon changed for the better and became a better person. He loved Jamie and needed her which Jamie accepted Landon and gave her a chance. Too bad, Jaime had leukemia. When Landon found out that the girl of his life was dying, he could not help but break down and cry. Landon did his best to make each day of Jamie’s life happy and memorable. They shared each sweet moment together. Landon continued to love Jamie even after her death. Landon made the dream he and Jamie built come true.
After watching the movie, I realized that love is really patient and kind. Love forgives and accepts. Love gives a person the ultimate happiness he needed. Love is never selfish. In loving a person, one should always remember that getting hurt is a part of it. You are poor if you love someone because you always give love to that someone. You need that person because you love him, not that you love the person because you needed him. Love is full of surprises. Love is the unexpected. Love hurts. Love is forever.
I know that I am still too young to fully define love but I think that love does not only have one definition because love for each and every person is different. I still have so many things to learn and experience to know more about love. I may be young but I know what love is because I am feeling it right now. After all, love sees no age limit.
There is one line that I will never forget about the movie. It says, “love is like the wind. You can’t see it but you can feel it.”
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Peace-talk After 8 Years
It was on the second to the last Sunday night of February this year when my father, mother, and I talked. We were in our living room and I was drinking tea and my father and mother were writing their class records. We talked because my sister, after receiving her “baon” for tomorrow, thanked only my mother. She kissed her on the cheek and and repeatedly said that she thanked her very much. My mother asked her if she would not say “thank you” to father. My sister just smiled, and reluctantly, and annoyingly, and sarcastically said, “thank you.” She (my sister) did not even looked at father or even faced his direction. After saying, she went straight upstairs. Mother, angry and dismayed, scolded us for that. Usually, in cases in which I am not directly involved, i will say that I am out of the story and therefor, if they want to scold my sister, I must not be included. But that night, it was different.
We had family quarrels before, but none of us had the chance to work things out because father might just beat us. Almost all of our family quarrels ended unsolved because of his threats of beating us. Not to have another problem unsettled, I asked if we, as family, could talk, just talk. I expected my father to get furious but miraculously, he did not.
We talked about why we (my sister and i) are not so close to our father, their expectations on me, on us, their hopes, their dreams for us, family bond, father-son bond, closeness, almost everything related to family. I already finished drinking my tea and still our talk did not end yet. There were times we had a dead air and the the only thing to hear was the sound of the television that was actually left on to create an extra noise. . We also talked about their childhood and how they were by our grandparents and then compared it to the way (my parents) raised us.
It was like an open forum. It was like a peace-talk between rebels and the government. But I am so glad that we had that talk. For the first time,my father listened to my side, and I listened to his side, too. My relationship with my father is a lot better now. I realized, no family problem cannot be solved if both parties will listen to each other's side, and settle the problem for the betterment of the parties involved. Too bad for me because it's been too long before we talked. If we talked long, long, before, our father-son bond would be much stronger by now. I also realized that if there is a problem, it must not be left unsolved. The problem must be settled as soon as possible.
Since we had that talk, whenever my father and I have conversation, I thank God for that talk. I should have done it before, but anyway, I am still so thankful that we now have a growing, father-son bond. I thank God for giving us that first open forum in nine years.
We had family quarrels before, but none of us had the chance to work things out because father might just beat us. Almost all of our family quarrels ended unsolved because of his threats of beating us. Not to have another problem unsettled, I asked if we, as family, could talk, just talk. I expected my father to get furious but miraculously, he did not.
We talked about why we (my sister and i) are not so close to our father, their expectations on me, on us, their hopes, their dreams for us, family bond, father-son bond, closeness, almost everything related to family. I already finished drinking my tea and still our talk did not end yet. There were times we had a dead air and the the only thing to hear was the sound of the television that was actually left on to create an extra noise. . We also talked about their childhood and how they were by our grandparents and then compared it to the way (my parents) raised us.
It was like an open forum. It was like a peace-talk between rebels and the government. But I am so glad that we had that talk. For the first time,my father listened to my side, and I listened to his side, too. My relationship with my father is a lot better now. I realized, no family problem cannot be solved if both parties will listen to each other's side, and settle the problem for the betterment of the parties involved. Too bad for me because it's been too long before we talked. If we talked long, long, before, our father-son bond would be much stronger by now. I also realized that if there is a problem, it must not be left unsolved. The problem must be settled as soon as possible.
Since we had that talk, whenever my father and I have conversation, I thank God for that talk. I should have done it before, but anyway, I am still so thankful that we now have a growing, father-son bond. I thank God for giving us that first open forum in nine years.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Three Days Before October
There are many people in this world. Each person has his own personality and capabilities, as well as incapabilities. Each is unique. Each is distinct from the other in some ways. Out of this pool of people, some standout among the rest.
The people that someone sees standing out the crowd may not be the same people you see outshining others. Each person sees others in a way different from how the other person views others. Some people you see you will understand, some you will not, some you do not understand each other,and some, do not understand you. As for me, these "kinds of understandings" are just usual. I do not remember when exactly did I start having this feeling of being not understood, but since I was a child, I all ready had trouble finding true friends. Later, I just got immuned from the fact that people around me do not understand me, not even my own family.
But still, out of this pool who do not understand me, out of this same people I encounter everyday, somehow, someone, did something ecactly the opposite. This girl is so, so different. Unlike others, she believes in me. She gives me faith, something that I seldom get. Unlike others, she accepts me. I know she could turn away from me, but she did not. I thought she will just leave just like what others did, but she stayed. She stayed and listened. For a long time, I never had someone who is willing to listen to me. Unlike others, she gave me a chance to get out of my shell and show the real me. She gave me a chance to have a friend. She understands me. She gave me the kind of understanding that I never felt for so many years. She gave me the kind of understanding I need the most.
This girl has the ability to see things beyond appearances. She sees in someone things that even that someone does not see it inside him himself. I used to feel empty even when I am already filled with anger and hatred. But, she made me realize and see some goodness in me. She makes me feel how it is to overflow with love. She brings out the best in me. Also, I never really thought that we will be as close as sharing our ups and downs. She gives me a shoulder to lean and cry on. She gives me hope and courage and strength to stand up every after fall. For so many years, I found a friend, and the bestfriend actually. I am so blessed to have her in my life. I do not really know how to thank her. Words are not enough to say how much she means to me. I love her. I love her more than I can show or say.
To the girl- Bai*, salamat kaayo**. I love you.
*Bai- we call each other bai
**Thank you very much.
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