The moment I heard that we would blogging, there was a smile written on my face because since I was little, I used to make stories and write my daily activities on my diary. It is because I believe that this is a place where I can store and share my thoughts about a certain thing. So that night after our teacher told us about this blogging, I then started to sign up so I can start designing my blog page.

          I started encoding the essay a week after I signed up and began making some corrections from my previous essay. Although, I had a hard time because of my busy schedule, I am so thankful for I was able to finish them all little by little. 

          For me, the hardest decision I had was choosing background image. I was so confused to what really suits my taste so I come up to choose a simple but cute background. It wasn’t bad at all since it didn’t clash with the text.

          I never thought that I could make such a cute blog where everybody is free to post a comment. I am so thankful to our English III teacher, Mrs. Christine Luz Boniao for imparting us an opportunity of making this blog and making me realize how this could greatly help me improve my writing skills as well as my creativity. 

         

          Pas’ungko festival of Misamis Occidental is a celebration of dance, giving of foods, merrymaking and gathering of relatives, friends and loved-ones to celebrate good tidings and harvest.

          On that day, November 8, 2010, we the Girl Scouts of MONHS were assigned to assist the contingents in the morning wherein we were the ones that guard them on the street dance. At first, I was really expecting for a good weather and nice people. But it turns like a nightmare for me. While we were on the street, it was really hot and I just feel like I’m going to faint. When we arrived on the Capitol grounds, we were given snacks and foods for our lunch. We find it hard to search for a place to stay in since there are so many people. So we decided to stay under the tree in which we were able to ease ourselves. It was still 10:30 in the morning when we ate our lunch since we feel like our snacks are not enough for our grumbling stomachs.

          The cultural presentations from the different cities and municipalities of Misamis Occidental started at exactly 12:30 in the afternoon. Although we were only few, Mr. Ending told us to start guarding our assigned contingents. We were assigned to guard contingent no. 2 from Sapang Dalaga. After a while of watching and helping them prepare, I heard someone from Sapang Dalaga saying that even though they will not win, they would still be happy because they were able to visit Oroquieta City and participate in such a prestigious event. I was really starstrucked when I heard him saying that. I know that hey have been through a lot of hardships and sufferings but still, they managed to smile which is a relief.

          Our add-on job which is to tell the people to give some space for the contingents’ props really made me sick. At first, I thought I could still manage myself to enjoy but it all went wrong. The people were so stubborn and wild. So Psyle and I decided to go home. It was really tiring that I can’t make myself stay on the place any longer.
          Over-all, the festival was a success as they say because I was not able to witness all the performances. But I was happy enough to have such an experience to be part of that activity. J

          

        Sylvia is a little girl who transferred from a crowded manufacturing town to live with her grandmother in the countryside. Many said that she changed little by little when she stayed with her grandmother.

          One night, she saw a shadow creeping in the woods and she decided to find out what shadow was that. It was a handsome, young hunter. They talked a little while and the hunter asked her some help. He asked the grandmother of Sylvia if he could stay for a night and go out gunning early in the morning. While Sylvia and the hunter continued talking, he did mention something that he wanted to get a heron and add it to his numerous number of bird collection in his house and those whoever find the bird; he will give 10 dollars for it by him. At night, the little girl can’t sleep because she can’t help thinking about the heron that the hunter was looking for. She was really curious where to find that bird so she decided to go to the forest to find the bird. So she climbed up the highest tree in the forest so she could find the bird. After that trembling experience, she reached the top of the tree which she considered the top of the world. She saw the heron when it was dawn. It was the most beautiful bird she has ever seen. She can’t describe her feelings that time. And she said that nothing can replace that moment. She was confused if he would tell the hunter about what she saw but at the end,  she sacrificed the money and the time she can spend with the hunter she secretly admire for the sake of the white heron.

The white heron Sylvia saw when she was on top of the tree

Please read the whole story here

“Thank You Ma’am” is a story about a young man who tries to snatch Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’ purse to buy a new pair of blue suede shoes. His plans backfires and he learns a lesson about trust, honesty and respect about how to treat other the way he wanted to be treated that he will never forget.

        After reading the deconstruction of “Thank You Ma’am”, it exposes a lot of differences to the real story. There are lots of discrepancy and contradictions which made me confused as a reader to what I should really believe.

       In the world we live in nowadays, it’s very seldom to see a million acts of kindness each day. It seems like as the time passes by, there are lot of alterations and changes being felt in our societies. These changes include the changes in our goals, in our attitudes and in our perspectives in life.

       I highly believe that one mistake corresponds to a punishment. In the story “Thank You Ma’am”, it’s quite impossible to see a young thief being nurtured and pampered instead of giving him a penalty. Even though Mrs. Luella Bates Washington was a caring woman to the young thief, it’s not an excuse to let the boy escape from the crime and even telling the boy that he shouldn’t have to snatch rather he could just ask the woman for it which is not the proper way of handling the situation. For me, it’s really inconsiderable because I do believe that in order for you to get your wants, you should work for it and strive hard for it. It’s not all the time that we will just count on  our wants to be given by anybody.

       If I was on Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones’ place, I would likely not tolerate what she did because what if all the people will just believe that you can just get away from the bad doings you have done. Then if that’s the case, what would be the purpose of laws and policies in our society?

       On the second thought, maybe Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones just wants to teach the young thief a lesson in a very comfortable way which is by not scaring the boy at all. Mrs. Jones is trying her very best to let the boy feel comfortable so that he would be able to tell his problems to her which is also good because she believes that all things can only be handled by a soft conversation. Maybe she thinks that giving a special treatment to the boy is an effective method of punishment to the boy. Mrs. Jones also had shown her weaknesses in her lifestyle which opens to another statement that it’s not good to steal someone’s pocketbook, but you could still escape from the crime.

          The boy may think that Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones is something worthy of imitation and aspire to be like but morally speaking, she is someone unworthy to look up to and revered by someone else because in some cases, she is tolerating what the boy did and even telling someone to ask earnestly for something without even trying.

         The deconstruction of the story taught me a lesson in life- that we have to work hard so that you'll get what you want and to be responsible to what we did. I was also delighted by the story because Mrs. Luella Bates Washington Jones  wanted to give the boy a second chance and to believe that there is someone you can rely on.

Here is a short video based on Langston Hughes' short story

Each and everyone of us, has his own set of values. As defined, values are important, enduring beliefs or ideals shared by the members of a culture about what is good or desirable and what is not. These values exert major influence on the behavior of an individual and sense as broad guidelines in all situations.

  In this present time of modernization and technology, it is observed that the person's values are dwindling. oftentimes, a person is influenced by what he sees in the surroundings around him. He tends to do bad things so that he could catch up with the latest style and trends. People became more materialistic and self-centered.

    On the contrary, with the advent of missionaries and medical missions, our values are upgraded. Many have become born-again Christians and become aware of the value of good health.
   In reality, we should cherish and uphold the good values that we have, apply these values in our day to day living, and how we react and handle upon circumstances that we encounter. 

            When we talk about change, we may say that it is quite simple and easy, but the truth is, it is not as easy as it seems. Change is something everyone wants but is hard to implement. It is not something that is easy to obtain, thus it needs determination, patience and hard work.

            They say that if you want change, you must start it with yourself. I’ve always wanted to have a change in myself physically, mentally and emotionally. I have always wanted to look good and feel good with my outerself. That’s why, I tried to cut off my extreme eating habits and go on with my one cup rice every meal. When it comes to my emotions, I wanted to have a big change in me since I easily get pissed and easily get annoyed at something. Because of that, I tried to understand and to have more patience.  I also have this mentality that if I think I can’t do it, I will never try on doing it. I always think about the opposite and negative which slowly makes me want to change the way I think. I asked for some suggestions from my close friends and my family for a remedy in my mentality. I tried to accept their thoughts and opinions and to stay open-minded about their feedbacks. With these, I’ll be able to absorb it to myself and slowly but surely, I would be able to obtain the change that I am longing.

            I do believe that every citizen in a civilized society needs to adapt to the changing times. Nowadays, where advance technology evolves around the modern world, one must go along with the fast pace of modern times. This is a challenge to every individuals to be a computer literate and technology research oriented. Aside from these, let us not forget to practice good values to be successful in life especially in our daily undertakings. As observed, our present society is beset with many bad practices that ruin our society. It is about time to change our bad practices and cultivate good values such as honesty, as the saying goes “Honesty is the Best Policy”, is the best solutions to eradicate the corruption in the government.

        
      Our country is presently facing economic and political problems that greatly affect every Filipino. Yet, we have set of laws, rules and regulations that are being implemented but oftentimes, these are being violated. Thus, it is the responsibility of our government officials to enact laws and regulations that clearly address to the needs for the betterment of the majority, not only for the self-contentment of these officials. This will just screams for a great change because lives of many people are being affected.

           

         It’s not just the Philippines, but the whole world is clearly experiencing climate change. There is really a need for all the people to know the effects of climate change and how to deal with it. Countries should pass laws and regulations to use alternative source of energy to minimize pollutants that ruin the earth’s ozone layer and other related laws, to be strictly implemented in order to save our Mother Nature. Everyone should be knowledgeable about how this would create a big impact to the lives of their children’s children. Furthermore, there is still a chance for us to renew and regain the beauty of our nature, so let’s not wait for what tomorrow may bring.

           

      The word change may have a million of definitions but it’s up to us what change means for ourselves. Having change may not be that easy because it undergoes a long method so it is required to just bear it in our minds that by hook or by crook, we would be able to do it not just for ourselves, but for the sake of the majority.

            

                          I could still remember the exact words my grandma said that even though you’re done in teaching children in classrooms, you’ll never stop teaching because it’s a profession that will stay in your heart and that you will never forget,

                I was struck of what she said because despite the hardships and stressful nights of teachers, they are still with us, continuing what they love so that they could give the right and quality education that we need.

                My grandma, Monina T. de Barras, 79 years of age, is a certified pharmacist in profession. During her early years, she taught Science and Mathematics subjects like Physics, Botany and many more in college wherein she pursued to take up Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She started then as a typical elementary classroom teacher to a supervisor upon her retirement. But before she reached the top of her dreams, she also had encountered and endured a lot of sacrifices and hardships. She was first assigned to very far barangay schools wherein she have to wake up at exactly 4 in the morning and arrive home by 9 in the evening.

               There were also times that she mentored her students to join Division Level Contest in Science and Mathematics. But despite of her hectic schedule, she really finds time so that she could bond with her family and still competes her task of being a mother to her 5 children.

                Indeed her teaching profession is a noble task wherein the future of the young children lies on her hands. That’s why she’s giving her hundred and one percent of confidence and focus so that she could give quality education to the students.

                But what made me more proud of her is her willingness to serve God by sharing through teaching. It is because even though she has reached the finish line in her profession, she still continued to teach the children but not in schools but in her garden. She renovated her old garden in Villaflor, Oroquieta City and made it look nice and cute so that students would be interested to learn. The best part is that, she doesn’t teach Science and Math, instead, she teaches the most essential lessons in life- the Word of God from the bible. She also bought mini-books, magazines and dvd’s about the lives if the people when Jesus was still here and share it to the children. She also gives the children snacks so that the children would be at full ease in learning. During Christmas, my grandma also throw a Christmas party for children. But she will never end the party without sharing the true essence of Christmas.

               Until now, her Saturday classes is still going on and we are so happy to say that there are more than 20 students that would come to join the class. Recently, I just joined the Saturday classes and am so happy that I am part of her class. Perhaps, teaching gives joy and smile to my grandma’s face.

               As a granddaughter, I really admire what my grandma did. She is “one of a kind” and so unique. That’s why she is my hero because I always look up to her. She proved to us that being old is not a limitation to share the gospel of God so while she is able, she would do her best to continue what she loves-teaching.

               I was wrong at the first place thinking that teaching is a simple profession. But now I realized that it’s really hard especially when you are away from your family. That is why I salute and respect the teachers for molding us students to become a bright leader in the future. Our country is indeed truly blessed by God for having good teachers who are imparting to us students their full knowledge. So let us all call the teachers our heroes because without them, famous and successful people won’t reach the top of their dreams. 

My grandma, Monina T. de Barras, 80 years old