Summer Serendipity

 One of the most awaited and watched TV program last summer was the Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 4. One of the housemates’ weekly task was a fund-raising activity wherein they will make products which will be sold by their parents.

 One of the products was the “Pili-pins”. This wonderful, creative and unique product led me my sister to an idea of making our own pins which we will also sell in school for our fund-raising activity. And here it is; a bow in a hair clip and ponytail. Aren’t they cute?

Grades Do Not Define A Person

“Grades do not define a person.” That’s what they say.

So now I am here again in front of my blog letting out the negative energy to calm my mind. I am not saying that I am very frustrated about my grades. It is just that I don’t know what to feel now. Should I be disappointed because I am not used to seeing this type of grades? Or should I not question my efforts because one good reason is the 65% percent passing grade that is now applied in school?

                Why will I get mad if I am not the only one having this type of grades? Worse, others might have lower grades than I do. Maybe I just need a little more adjustment to the new wave of change happening in my high school year (Ugh! Will my high school life get any worse?). But hey! These are just grades… these are just grades… JUST grades.

                JUST GRADES. These two words, when combined may have several meanings to others. So let me tell you what these words mean to me. First, “just” doesn’t mean something to be underestimated… especially not grades. Second, “just grades” doesn’t mean “Hey, I got low grades! Whatever!” Third, “just grades” means that it’s a part of a student’s life which is something to be taken seriously but not to the point of committing suicide or whatever. JUST GRADES means that it is important and you have to do an excellent job to achieve it but once you flunked, you don’t need to slap your face, stomp the floor or create some annoying thud noise to let the whole world know that you are mad (If you will ever do that, ask yourself who are you mad at: the teacher or yourself?)

                So I guess I don’t really have hard enough feelings because of my grades. I still have three quarters to prove I am worthy. So there is no valid reason to mourn. NO REASON.

                And lastly, JUST GRADES means…. GRADES DO NOT DEFINE A PERSON, OKAY???

No More Terminator!

One of the worst things that can ever happen to your net book is being attacked by a strong, file-terminating virus. A virus that cannot only unexpectedly erase your important files but also prevent your netbook to open the Windows Starter (the thing where you can see the accounts or the desktop with icons already) and instead, just keeps on turning on… blackout… then on… and so the cycle continues.

That’s what happened to our netbook last summer. I got all my collected files which include pictures, videos, songs, games, projects, and important text documents since first year, stored and organized. Imagine a folder entitled, “freshmen” with subfolders: pics, vidz, project, The Lucky Show, download, etc. And imagine these subfolders are also found under the folder, “sophomore”, and plus some that are not related to my high school files such as songs, movies, pictures and the like. That’s how many my files are. And in a snap… GONE! All GONE!!! L

So we had it formatted and spent 700 pesos for it. Bye- bye virus! (Oh, so you think it is finally a good-bye?)

After a few months…

There it goes again! It attacked once again and we were so pissed off that we never ever used it for almost a month. So we had it formatted and fixed in school. Thanks to Mr. Ricky! Now I am using the netbook again hoping that it will not be helplessly attacked by any virus…ever again. 

It's Been Quite A Long Time

        It's been a few months since I last checked this account and let my thoughts come naturally while sitting on a comfy chair. Now, I am back to see if there are any changes in this close-to-be-an-abandoned-online journal. But hey, I haven't come just to type any text or write any nonsense stuff as what you might think I am doing. I have come not to waste your time by staring at this entry. 

        Anyways, I just want to share some stuff about how my junior year has been going so far. Notice I didn't write about this right after the first day of school. I was avoiding first impressions spread in a matter of minutes. Why? Because they are often wrong. Ugh!!! Why do I always have wrong first impressions??? Well, at this point, I am in the ITCC, passing time by checking this account (obviously). First, let's not call it a culture shock but an adjustment. I used to be used to it. So why fear or get paranoid? They are still humans... naturally. Get it? I am referring to the boys. To sum things up, dealing with boys again was not a crucial adjustment than what I thought it would be. They are fun to be with, actually. 

        My adjustment was not only with my new classmates. When I say adjustment, I mean a new full package environment. NEW classroom, size and length of blackboard, from a two- door room to only one door, new teachers as well as class adviser, new group mates. seatmates, and another set of class mates because of the groupings in Math. Oh, and also the distance I would walk from the school's gate to the classroom. Just look at the new stuff I have to get used to. But still, now that first quarter is over and second quarter has begun, i can say that I have adjusted quite well so far. 

       I hope this school year will be fun and worth remembering. Of course, I cannot get rid of the stress. It's not an option. It's a must that every student must overcome in his o her high school life.

Was Our Best Not Good Enough?

November 28, 2011- the day we had our CAE Prejudging. We came to school earlier than many even though we were the last to present. All of us were nervous that morning. We watched the CAE plays of the first years but our minds were on our play in the afternoon. Our challenge was to do better than our Technical Dress Rehearsal. We had better production design. Most of the characters improved. We rushed during the preparation. Some props were even made on the day itself. Of course, cram again.

                We enjoyed while presenting onstage. For me, we did all our best. Yes, we had flaws. But I believe each play has its own flaws in some ways. We cannot hinder mistakes to be done. All of us were filled with joy right after the play. Once the curtains closed, we hugged each other congratulating each one. We admit that we had a few regrets. We could have done more if we wanted to.

                And right after we presented, they announced the results of the winners for the first year and the second year. It was such a heart break! Nice playing with emotions, huh?! A minute before we jumped for joy, and in a snap, we all saw tears on the faces of each one. It did not take even five minutes for us to know the results. The question was: Was our best not good enough?

                Our best was not good enough to reach the ultimate.

                Our best was not good enough to meet the criteria of the judges.

                Our best was not good enough to compete with the higher levels.

                BUT…

                Our best was good enough to bring joy in our section for the past three months.

                Our best was good enough to showcase the hidden talents of each one.

                Our best was good enough to make other people realize that silent and simple people have God-given talents within.

                Our best was good enough to know each of our classmates better.

                Our best was good enough to strengthen our bond as a class.

                Our best was good enough to fill the empty spaces in our hearts with love for each of the people who opened their doors to help us.

TDR: We Still Have Rooms for Improvement

                Time went so fast that after a few weeks of preparation and practice, we had our CAE Technical Dress Rehearsal last November 18. Most of our props and costumes were made in a rush. As I stepped inside the classroom early that morning, everyone was busy. Most of my classmates were going to and fro, asking questions and clarifications. Our schedule was still in the afternoon but the hairdos were done in the morning. As for the costume of the guards, we cut the cloth into pieces that day also. So I called it cram. Fortunately, most of our subjects in the morning were given for preparation, except for Biology. I understand that we should also catch up in other subjects.

                While preparing, I remembered that I have not memorized one part of my lines. I was wearing my costume and makeup but the most important thing that I should do, or shall I say- I should have done before, was missing. I did not memorize my lines intentionally. I memorized them because of regular practices. And I ended up deciding to adlib. Of course I did not tell our directress about this or she’ll get mad. Before the TDR, I rested in the classroom and retouched my makeup. I did not really feel nervous compared to my other classmates.

                One the things a section must not forget before starting the TDR is prayer. As usual, we had a company call for prayer and then we started. It went fine (Define fine). The technical for me was neat. A few mistakes but that’s part of it. I mean, we cannot get rid of mistakes. There was one time the music was late so good thing our characters know how to adlib. Of course, some forgot a few of their lines (that includes me). Here is the funniest thing ever happened in the TDR! We had this banquet scene and so food was the star in that scene. Everyone onstage did not hesitate to get some (count me in). And because we were too stunned with the taste of the food, we almost forgot that we still have to go on with the play. We were delivering our lines with our mouths full of food. I don’t what happened but I forgot to give the pendant to one character and in the banquet scene, the king will find out that the pendant was lost. My eyes opened very wide and I quickly got the pendant and threw it at the side. People at the backstage laughed at what I did. And I said my lines with cheese sticks in my mouth.

The TDR, as a whole, was a success. Although we had some things to improve on like voice projection, characterization and annunciation, I was happy with the outcome. Thanks to the critic, Mr. Joseph Albana for helping us to improve our play. Hopefully, on Monday (our pre-judging), there will be an improvement on our performance. Good luck to us!

Growing in the Heart

A group of students were discussing a picture of a family. In the picture, one little boy had a different hair color compared to the other family members.

                “Why do you think that his hair color is different?” asked the teacher.

                “Maybe he is adopted?” suggested the boy.

                A little girl said, “I know all about adoptions because I am adopted.”

                “What does that mean to be adopted?” asked another child.

                “It means,” said the girl, “that you grew in your mother’s heart instead of her tummy.”

-          George Dolan, Chicken Soup for the Soul