#8 An inspirational story

Life comprises of two things which makes our lives complete. These two things are like seasonings that add twist & make life more flavorful. These things always come in two.  Success will not exist if failure doesn’t exist. Who will ever know what success is if you don’t even know what failure is? As the saying goes, “Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes it’s built on catastrophe.” By Sumner Redstone. Life is not just all about successes; it has ups and downs. Life without failures is like living in a world without colors; it’s dull color bored people. 

In the video Nicholas James Vujicic inspired us through making himself as an example. He was born without limbs due to the rare Tetra-amelia disorder and because of this he lives his childhood life full of hardships & difficulties. He inspires us through his words full of wisdom. It’s true that along our way we stumble and fall but the one that counts is the number of times we tried to stand after we fall & never giving up. We should have the strength to face life’s challenges. To escape from problems people nowadays ends their life just a wink of an eye. There’s a saying that “Ends doesn’t justify the means.” Problems don’t solve themselves it’s the people who solves them with their solutions. All you have to do is to take actions and be responsible with your decisions. 

Nicholas is such an inspiration who motivates people we should set him as a role model. Like him, I’ve been into many ups and downs of life. I shed a tear every time I fall but crying will never help me to solve it, its just there to lessen the pain I feel. I should stand and face life with valor and not to fear of failing again. I put my experiences as an example to cheer my friends up. With the aim to make them realize that failures are always there to strengthen you and not to disappoint you about life. 

Life is beautiful. Just go with the flow.

&

If You Fail, Try Again! 

 Remember:

The only real failure in life is the failure to try.

#7 Definition Writing

I am MAD.

I am Mature enough to handle things, Accountable to take responsibility and Disciplined to attain the desired outcome.

Maturity is a term used to describe fully grown people it may refer physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Maturity may also refer to the ability of giving fair judgment or reasoning out and readiness to face the consequences of one’s action (stability).  Maturity may also refer to age. Maturity starts at 17.   

http://www.answers.com/topic/maturity

Accountability is a state of being accountable. It is synonymous with responsibility; it means obligation or duty to handle situations that may lead to taking responsibilities of one’s action or consequences.

. http://www.answers.com/topic/accountability

Discipline is a training that involves controlling one’s desire through strictly following instruction in order to attain orderliness. Discipline is accompanied with punishment to regulate.

http://thesaurus.com/browse/discipline

Things we need to bear in mind if we want to succeed with our goals.

#6 Summer Kiss (Descrptive Writing)

As I looked up into the Bleu de France sky I saw the sun smiling down to us.  I feel the kiss of the sun’s scorching heat, heard the arid wind whispering in my ears, smell the fresh, salty, ocean breeze and tasted the summer kiss.  Riding in a multi-cab I saw the deep, vast blue ocean with white streaks of waves colliding with each other. As we enter the gates going to Salagdoong beach I saw different variations of towering tree. The downward, zigzag road to Salagdoong Beach makes the trip more exciting; the shades of trees lessen the torridity. Salagdoong beach is located in a cove where you could see high cliffs. I already smell the refreshing ocean breeze. White sand & clashing colors of cyan & Egyptian Blue Ocean tantalizes my eyes & its visitors. Totally amuse with the ocean’s lucidity.  As we arrived in the beach we unpacked the things up and go swimming. Since I want to go to the rock where the slide is I asked my father and my cousin (JM) to accompany me going there. We don’t use any swimming gears; we only use empty plastic bottles of Coke. Swimming against the wave currents makes our legs tired, I almost quit but my father told me to keep going on while my cousin is enjoying swimming. We’re on our way to the rock when I tried to get a glimpse of what underneath the ocean. Since it was too deep & dark to look at I decided to focus on the rock where we’re heading at; I admitted I got scared of looking underneath the ocean, scared to see something which will scares me & lead me to panicking. Such a big relief when we got to the rock, the three of us felt tired so we decided to stay for a while before going back. 

We gave ourselves a 5mins. break but my cousin & father was so adventurous that they were climbing and jumping from the cliff doing the cliff dives. I wanted to give a try but the problem is I don’t know how to swim because I have fear that someone will pull me down. Being there was a mission accomplished for me. Finally I already got there; my next plan is to go swimming around, passing the sharp edges of the cliffs & against the big waves of the ocean. 

Tiring yet Fun Experience

#5 Enter to LEARN, Leave to SERVE

The teachers behind our success.

Each one of us has their own definition of what a hero is. When we were kids we see heroes having super powers that could save the world from the hands of the villains and one example of this is “Justice League”, a popular fictional superhero team which appeared in comic books way back in 1960’s. As we grow old our thoughts about heroes change. At this time in our adolescent years some of us idolized famous people like Lady Gaga who made a great impact in the music industry which influenced young generation through the kind of music that she played. We see them as heroes because they caught us with their life stories about the hardships that they’ve undergone before reaching the top where in fact not all of the information given out is true. Pseudo-information is just made to impress people. So some people nowadays ended up making them as heroes because through their music their lives changed & saved without even thinking critically about it. There are also some of us see parents as heroes because of the hard works they’ve done in order to send us in a school where we could get high quality education. As what you’ve read above our perspective about heroes changes as we mature. Like what is stated in the 1^st sentence, I also have my own definition of what Hero is and who is the person whom I considered as my hero and the things he had done to the community. 

My Teacher, My Hero

I view heroes as people who are willing to self-sacrifice for someone without asking anything in return. Someone who voluntarily do things for other people to show sympathy. The person whom I considered as my hero is my 4^th yr. HS adviser which is Sir Larry Estalane. A well-respected person known for his compassion to his students; he had touched so many hearts, transformed so many lives & taught many individuals. He acts as our second father, a brother, a friend and a teacher. He scolds us like a mother every time we commit mistakes, he worries like a father whenever someone is in pain, he cares like a brother protecting us from prejudice, he gave advices who ever needs them like a friend, and a teacher who never fails believing us. He’s always there with us, never leaving us alone with our ups and downs in life. He brightens our dark worlds with his words of wisdom that serves as our light in the dark night of our lives. I will never forget this teacher because he gave me inspiration and even motivated me to soar high.  

The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth."  ~Dan Rather

#4 A Close Encounter ( Dreaming of YOU)

Sorrow

          I’ve been in that place a couple of times with my family to have a reunion every summer. We created a lot of wonderful memories with each other especially to that special place. But one day all those wonderful memories turn to painful memories. Tears ran down in our faces and our hearts are torn apart after hearing the news that my grandpa died at the day of the City’s Fiesta the day that we’re supposed to be there with them. It’s so sad that his wish to be with us in that day was not granted. I feel so bad about it that I ended up blaming myself for the reason that my family can’t be there because of my enrollment. They keep on telling us that my grandpa died because he's longing for his children and grandchildren. The most painful thing is my grandpa was so sad because 2 of his daughters and 4 of his grandchildren can’t come because of time conflict and financial problems (my mother & me & her sister with my 3 cousins). What happened is so unexpected.  After the enrollment I went directly to Siquijor with my father to attend the burial and when I get there I saw my grandpa lying inside the coffin without life, so different from before. It’s because every time we go home he will meet us in the pier and welcome us with kisses in our foreheads and warm hugs from a loving grandpa. I could still see him smiling welcoming us every time I close my eyes and reminisce the happy memories of the past.

          Before I thought that it’s so easy to forget painful memories. I keep on telling people to move on from their sad past but when I’m already in their shoes I realized that it’s not easy like what I’m saying. Losing my grandpa is like losing a big piece of my life; and there are times that I pray to GOD that if He could let me dream about my grandpa because I want to say a lot of things that I haven’t told him when he was still alive and that is to tell him how much I LOVE Him.  I really regret it when I haven’t expressed my feelings toward him when he was still with us.

A Picture of a Happy Family. (Left to Right: Grand pa, Cousin Lovely, Grandpa)

          One night GOD grants my wish. I dream about my grandpa in that the same place and the time that I saw him I run towards him and hug him tightly because I know it’s just a dream and it’s temporary. He’s telling me about something but I refuse to listen because I’m already crying  & there are a lot of things I wanted to tell him. His message was too deep that I couldn't understand it well but the whole message talks about Life. So when I woke up I was so happy that I dreamt about him and I feel sad at the same time it’s because I was not able to get his message.

Behind the clouds, the sun is shining.

Based on my experience people who passed away still communicate with us in different ways it might be in a form of dream like what happened to me.

#3 I Stop to Say Thank You to MY PARENTS

When we were a child, our parents taught us to say Thank You to the people who helped us. Saying Thank You is a form of showing manners. But why is it now that there are only few people practicing this? Why do some people tend to forgot this?  Why does the young generation today can’t even say Thank You to their parents or the elder members of the family? Is it that hard to do?

“Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.”  ~Mark Twain

The article No One Stops to Say “Thank You” Anymore shows what the present generation is doing right now and what kind of manner that they have. Our parents are the one who cared for us when we were young; they are the one who mold us to become what we are now (including this is giving us discipline). When we were still kids they provide what we need and what we want; sometimes they scold us, which we don’t like, without knowing that what they are doing is just for our own good and there such time that we come to a point that we are already hurting them because we want to follow what we want or what the others want us to do. As time passed by, we become older, same is true with our parents. Our parents in their old ages are weak, sensitive and in need of more love and care, but why is it that people nowadays try to neglect these things? They just send their parents to the home for the aged to get rid of responsibilities it’s because they are thinking that their parents are just burdens or they can’t give the quality time, love and care that their parents is needing since they are busy with their own lives, especially to their careers paths. The short film entitled “Rich Son Poor Son” shows what reality is and on how the generation today treat their parents. As what you have seen in the short film, there are 4 grannies talking about their sons’ and daughters’ career achievements but there is one granny that has nothing to say about the work of his son; but you can see through her face that she was so happy because his son and the family came to fetch her to take a trip with her while the 3 grannies are left alone in the home for the aged. Like what is said on the last part of the short film “Love of the family is the greatest blessing.” So, love your family like there’s no tomorrow. 

“We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." ~ George Bernard Shaw 

I studied hard because I’m building a strong foundation for my future. I work hard not for myself but for me to give my family a wonderful life in the near future, especially my parents. I want to give what they need and wants in life, especially my time, love and care. I want to build a house just for the both of them; I want to take a trip around the world with them. I want to repay all the good things that they’ve done for me, those sacrifices and hard works. Seeing them HAPPY is the BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT of My Life.

“Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years.  We grow old by deserting our ideals.  Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul.”  ~Samuel Ullman

RESPECT THEM and GIVE THEM THANKS because WITHOUT THEM YOU WILL NOT BE WHAT YOU ARE NOW.

#2 Self-Investment

  

Most of us invested something for our future uses.  For example, the businessmen/women they invest their money for their own benefits. And I also invested something for myself and these are reading, writing, and thinking. First we are going to tackle about thinking, then reading, and lastly writing.

Thinking is what we do in our everyday living, we think before we act and we act after we think. Thinking is defined as “The act or practice of one that thinks; thought” and “A way of reasoning; judgment” (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/thinking) while Critical Thinking refers to a high-order of thinking that questions assumptions. I consider myself as a critical thinker it’s because I think before I act and I act after I think (like what is stated above) or just simply thinking wisely. Once, I make decisions I think of possibilities what will happen if I will take this step or the other step. In reading, I also apply critical thinking. I interact with the author in a form of giving my opinion according to what I’ve had read.

 

Invest a few moments in thinking.  It will pay good interest.  ~Author Unknown

 

Reading is a process of getting ideas from what we have read or decoding the symbols to derive meanings. In reading, we analyze what we read, if we just read without analyzing we're just being a passive reader.  I consider myself as a passive type of reader it’s because I only read if it’s needed and if I’m in the mood. I like reading but not that much; I only read what interested me, especially the educational books.

Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting.  ~Edmund Burke

We share and express our feelings and ideas in mind through writing. Like in reading, I only write if it’s necessary and if I’m in the mood. Sometimes I write to lessen the pain & sadness I feel inside of me at the moment in a form of poems, story etc. 

Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.  ~William Wordsworth
 

"Reading, writing, speaking, and listening can all be done critically or uncritically. Critical thinking is crucial to becoming a close reader and a substantive writer. Expressed in most general terms, critical thinking is "a way of taking up the problems of life"( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Critical_thinking/)

It's Time for Self-Investment!

Summer Escapade

 

A wonderful morning in Siquijor.

 Every time I heard the word “Summer” there is only one thing that pops up in my mind and that is Siquijor. A place like home and looks like a paradise because of its beautiful sceneries. My summer is not complete without me and my family going in there. Even though I’m living here in Iligan my heart always stays there. There’s no word that could express what I feel every time when I’m in Siquijor.  

 Taken at Bulacna Beach Resort.

Summer is the time for us to relax, to enjoy life, to refresh and to give ourselves a break and to spend quality time with our family. Being in Siquijor is like living in a paradise you will see a lot of beautiful spots like white sand beaches, waterfall, antique houses and things, and old churches. There are a lot of things you can do while you are there, you can walk along the seashore, pick some sea shells, dive in a waterfall, and roam around in the island.

 At the Lazi's Convent

Me and my cousins spend most of our time swimming in the sea, throwing some sand balls, playing “Tag” or chasing one another, boating in the sea, diving in a waterfall or cliff, picking up some sea shells, going to different beach resorts, visiting churches, taking pictures of antique houses and a lot more. One of my unforgettable experiences is when me and my cousin Lovely went to the “Ukay-ukay” to buy some slippers and gifts for our other cousins, we bought 2 rings for the both of us as a remembrance but sad to say I lost mine. We also went to Lazi’s Port to take some pictures but unfortunately we got into trouble with guys  (I got pissed off because of them) and I also planned to tour her around the church,  at the convent and in the park but the time didn’t fit because we need to go back in our house before lunch time. Those are just one of the memories that we created with my cousins and friends. I also had a wonderful chit-chat with Kuya Mark and the rest of the people out there. I also went to a disco with my mom, cousins, aunts, grandma and the rest of my relatives.  It was fun because we got home almost 6:30 in the morning. xD and it’s like partying all night long.

 The big waves coming from the ocean.

That’s what my summer is all about. I hope I can spend a longer time with my cousins next summer. 

Feel the HEAT of the SUN! >:D

#1 My Mission in Life

Have you ever asked yourself about your mission in life? Or what pops out in your mind when you heard the word “Mission”? Mission is a calling or a duty that we need to accomplished like in a game, you need to accomplished a certain mission so that you can unlock another mission and be able to proceed to another level. Life is a journey that has full of obstacles; you need to reach the destination before the sun comes down, so that you can still see the way going to the place where you are heading.  You also need to watch your steps for you not to stumble and slip along the way, as much as possible you need to be careful if you’re taking steps on your journey because there are people out there who will pull you down because they’re scared that you’ll be ahead of them. But you don’t have to worry about it because God is always there to lend a hand to those who are in need of his help; he will never leave you behind because He loves you so much. Remember when Jesus died on the cross; He sacrifices himself because that’s his mission that he needs to fulfill.  In a mission you’ll undergo into many trials.  But there’s no other bigger achievement when you are able to surpass all the obstacles that are given to you. Surpassing all the obstacles is equal to a great achievement.

Each one of us has our own mission in life and one of this is to serve God.  Serving God is like serving your brothers and sisters, and it does not only end serving people but also spreading the word of God.  I, as one of the creation of God, is also obliged to do good things. As what Augustine said on the Psalms 118, “It is not enough to do the right things; you have to do them for the right purpose.”  With this one main mission it branches out to other missions and because of this it have good results.  In life, we have different roles to portrait and with these roles we have missions. Sometimes, we act as brothers/ sisters, parents, sons or daughters, friends, teachers, etc. Different missions for different roles that we need to accomplish in order for us to attain the satisfaction that we want or we need.

Just this May I went to Siquijor not for a vacation but to attend a burial of the father of my mother, which is my grandpa/ grandfather. Every Sunday we always go to church for the mass and in there the priest talks about the Nescafe Commercial entitled “ Saan ka bumabangon?” and he asked us “Kayo, Saan ba kayo bumabangon?” the priest  made me think about what motivates me to continue living and  I answered to myself “I’m living not for myself but for my family and for God. I live for my family because I want to satisfy their needs and wants in life and also to pay them in return for all the goodness they’ve had shown to me. I also live for God it’s because the life he had given to me is a gift from him that I should treasure.” After a short reflection I was able to unlock another mission of my life and that is to serve Him. The priest’s homily serves as an enlightenment, not only for me only but for all who listened to him. 

 Say Yes!

to Life