Happy New Year

Advance happy new year everyone! Today is the 31st of December here in the Philippines. Everybody is excited in welcoming the year 2017. Including myself! I and my auntie are preparing some food for the New Year's Eve, just some simple dishes and we are good for later. Seems some of my relatives are planning to drink, and they are inviting me. And I think that's a good idea. I'm fine with alcohol tonight. Tomorrow is no school, so I can have a hangover. It's going to be a fun night for us.

I'm happy to be here, around with my family, relatives and friends. Glad I'm nearer now. If  I didn't move to Tacloban, I wouldn't be here to celebrate with everyone. This year is different for me, I will not be alone in celebrating new year. Well, last year I was with my cousin in Manila, which was nice, but it is just much better to be with the whole family. I don't drink a lot, but tonight, I am not worried if I get drunk, I'm safe with everyone.

Year 2016 in review

At times, my life had been upside-down. I've been through worst and through good, but still I want to thank God for everything he has done for me this year 2016. I've been to some places I never have imagined I would reached. It happened and I am grateful for that unforgettable experience that I had this year. I am also doing good progress in college. This is my third college attempt and finally I see some light at the end of the tunnel.

I have a happy and healthy family, even though we're not complete, since my mom and dad have been separated for eight years now. But even though my mom is not here with us, it is still a good feeling hearing she's doing good with her life. My dad is also doing well, and my brothers are growing so fast. Seeing them most of the time is the best feeling ever. They know everything happens for a reason, and those great things that had happened to me in 2016 brought me closer to my family. I am blessed, just in different ways. Thanks God for all you've done for me! 

After Christmas

Christmas is over, and the new year is coming. I wonder what everyone's new years would be like. Maybe a lot of drinking and singing on New Years Eve? And then lots of food! It's going to be a fun night along with families and friends. I just hope there will be no drunken fights then. New year only happens once a year, it should be joyful!

Most people that I know here in my province don't really pay attention to Christmas. New Years Eve however is a big thing. Christmas is just like an ordinary day, if you have no gifts to expect or to give. Sure, we go to church on Christmas day, but we do the same every sunday anyway. Not many would prepare something special, like food, and drinks. Yes, it is Jesus's birthday, and some people value that. Just that some  people here don't really bother cooking special food for Christmas. But when it is New Years Eve, everyone is busy preferring food, drinks, and any other fun stuff.

Mouse attack

I just got back from Tacloban. What an exhausting day for me! I traveled back and forth between Samar and Tacloban without having enough sleep. Add the fact that my boarding house was a mess! I was kind of surprised when I open my door and saw everything was messed up. It seems that there are mouses in the house that enjoyed my absense in my room.

Before I left for Samar, my room was all cleaned up. I left a kilo of rice at my place, and a gallon of mineral water. Well, the rice is now all spread over, and even melted inside the water. What a mess! Oh well, I've been away for a while! I wasn't expecting it would happened though.

Only if there was no mouses in my place, I wouldn't have problems with my things. Now it worries me, that some of my clothes might get ruined by these mouses. I don't have so many clothes, all of what I have is precious to me. If the mouses mess my clothes, I will be desperate. I hope it does not happen.

Christmas parties and beyond

I got invited by one of my dearest classmates to her son's birthday on 29th of December in Southern Leyte. But I have not confirmed to her that I am really attending. The reason is that I am supposed to be in Samar on that day, and going to Southern Leyte is no quick trip. It would take more than 5 hours to reach her hometown. Maybe I visit them another time, but the Christmas/New Year break is a bad timing for me.

And we even planned for our College Christmas party next week her in Tacloban. While it will be fun, it is not mandatory to attend. I am planning to be already in Samar next week, so I'm going to skip this as well. Otherwise it would be too complicated for me. Still I wish everyone a peaceful Christmas time!

Christmas and New Year Explosives

Picture thanks to Expic Fireworks

I just found out that any kind of explosives are forbidden now. No wonder I haven't heard and seen any explosives ever since the "ber" months (Septem- to Decem-ber) have started. I think the newest president now enforces the law to stop it. Last year, when the previous president was still in office, this time of the year was already filled with party fireworks, but now it is pretty boring.

Although this is good for everyone, because explosives are dangerous. Last year, many died or got wounded by mishandling explosives, even small children who don't use explosive got killed. Glad the president take action against explosives. Christmas and New Year might be more boring, but at least it lowers the number of people to be harm.

Communication speech exam

Hurray! I am done with both practical exams in communication speech 1 and 2. I feel relieved, because those were the difficult ones amongst all my exams. Three more to go and I'm done with the prelims! I don't worry much about the other exams, because I know those are easier. Tomorrow I only have to take one in laboratory, and then on Friday it will be my exam in P.E. The NSTP exam is on Saturday. After that, one more exam in CRM, but that will be in the first week of January.

Vacation comes very soon, and I can't wait to go back home to Samar, and be with my family on Christmas. I hope I will pass all my exams. It would be good as my starts of 2017.

Stupid car accident kills 2 kids in Samar

I just heard this news, but I didn't see it with my own eyes. Yet another tragic traffic accident happened today in Basey Samar, and three people died. It is very sad and disturbing, because two victims are young children who just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

Two jeepneys lost control while speeding. One jeepney hit a house, and by this hit a boy who was near the house. The other jeepney hit his sister who was just 8 years old. The boy was just a few years older than her. The third casuality is a passenger of the jeepney. It is sad that it had to happen to the victims. I feel with their families that had lost them in this Christmas time. It is heartbreaking that the kids died at young ages. It is terrifying to think about that I also often use a jeepney in Samar.

This accident wouldn't have happened if it weren't the two reckless drivers who did races just to gain more passengers. Because of their foolishness, they took innocent lives. I feel sorry for the families of the victims. I hope they can move on and accept their childrens' faith.

Small act big change: Rayhak bata - Part 2

Image thanks to RikkisRefuge (CC license)

Two days ago, I wrote about the charity event in my school called Rayhak bata, and that they asked us students to solicite for money in our communities. This was part of the NSTP class.

I'm done with my part of money collection. I'm thankful that I didn't need to solicit my neighbors just so I can donate. I know it isn't bad to seek help from others along the street, but since I haven't done it, I had no guts to do it. Instead, I did ask some internet friends for small help. Thanks to the persons that helped! And it feels good that I am able to help the kids with the money I collected that way. I used 1000 Peso of my own salary, and I collected another 1000 Peso from internet friends. And I hope all the money that the school might be collected will be in good hands including the 2000 Pesos that I gave, and be use for the charity only.

With all the students at my school I expect the school to gather enough money for the charity. It is good that even with the small things we might able to help others on this Christmas day. I know how it feels receiving something from others, in particular how it feels for kids from poor families.

Preliminary exam in communication

Tomorrow is my preliminary exam in communication speech already. It will be an oral test, that is, I have to give a speech and will answer questions. I am kind of nervous. The past days, I've been trying to study, but nothing is happening, as if my brain doesn't cooperate. I had a headache earlier today. I planned to sleep early so that I can wake up really early tomorrow, but I just cant sleep. It is so hard to sleep at a time your not used to. I am worried for tomorrow. I don't know what I can do. I can't fail any of my prelim exams. I need more time to review, but I don't think I will have enough time. I just hope a miracle will happen tomorrow.

Preparing my future

Everytime I see people with stable jobs making good money, and able to provide for all the needs of their families, it motivates me to study harder, even though being in college isn't so easy. I know, before they've reached their positions, they were once simple students just like what I am experiencing now.

I want to be like others too. I want to have a better life in the future. I want to make money by working hard. Self earned money is more valuable than money received from others. Right now, being a student, I depend on others even though writing this blog helps also to earn some money. I want to experience what everyone can. I know I am still at the beginning of the game, but it doesn't mean I have to give up. I need hard work to succeed. I have faith in myself, I know someday I'd get there. It won't be that easy but I am prepared.

Fun place in Tacloban

I thought, Tacloban City didn't have any fun places for students. But I was wrong, as I learned last weekend. With my classmates, we have been to Barcode Resto & Grill on Sto Nino Street. The place is nice, and not crowded when we visited. There is a videoke, and my friends sang their favorites songs. The videoke is always free if charge, as one of the staff told us. It was comfortable inside, the place is air-conditioned, and you can also charge phones. You can dance there, if that's your desire.

When it comes to food, the sisig is one of their bests. I don't know whether other dishes are good, as I didn't eat all from the menu. I only tried the sisig, and we ordered it twice. We were only there until 9pm. When we were about to leave, a larger number of people keep on coming inside, so I assumes the place would be crowded later at night. Well, Barcode seems to be kind of popular here in Tacloban.

Small act big change: Rayhak bata

Last year's organization of school supplies for elementary school kids

Today, during our NSTP classes, we were told about the Rayhak Bata project that our school is organizing for Christmas. It is actually organized by the Supreme Students Council, that means my co-students organize an event to invite children from a Province elementary school for a christmas party. Those kids are less fortunate than us, as the life in the Province can be harder than in the city. We will give out school supplies and food to them.

There is a big collection ongoing. We got a letter to use for soliciting for money or school supplies from our neighborhood. If taking the law stricly, soliciting from other people is forbidden now, but all the ACLC teachers including the people behind this matter believe that it would be okay for us students to seek help from people along the street. We should just show the letter, and all the respective teachers of ACLC have signed the letter.

If a student doesn't want to solicit along the street, that student can just donate using their own money or school supplies. It doesn't matter what amount of money to be donated as long everyone can help. This task is important to us students, as it is also considered as our project for prelims.

Cellphone in school

Nowadays students don't know the word respect anymore. I think, as a student, you need to follow and respect your instructor. That's how it was when I first came to school: the teachers might be bad or good in your eyes, but in any case they must be respected. Maybe I am sometimes disrespectful to others, but I would never disrespect my instructors.

At my school, I have few classmates who don't seems to respect instructor, which is not right. I don't think it is proper for student to keep texting inside the classroom, and when they got caught by the instructor and get asked to hand over the phone, they will just throw the phone to the teacher instead of handing is properly. I don't think any students should talk inappropriately towards their teacher during classes or even outside the classroom. I am addicted to my cellphone, but I don't use my phone during classes. Well, outside school, I might be obsessed with my phone for facebook and blogs, but I only use my mobile when the subject is over.

Sunny day

What a beautiful day today, here in samar! The sky is so bright, it seems not going to rain the rest of the day, The ocean looks so blue, and shiny from the seaside. I wish I could swim before I go back to the city.

There is so much more to do here when the road is not slippery. It's also good climbing on coconut trees. And we have a tiny river here, where you can wash clothes without hassle. Sunny days helps us make our clothes dry quickly. But this river we have here isn't good to use when it is always sunny days, because the river dries out quickly in the hot sun.

Waterworld in Singapore

When I was in Singapore, I visited Universal Studios. This is an amusement park themed around the movies such as Jurassic Park, Transformers, Shrek, Revenge of the Mummy. My friend told me that a "must see" is Waterworld, so we went to there.

Honestly, I had absolutely no idea what Waterworld is. I though of a kind of Ocean Park, so what I was expecting was dolphins or sharks to jump out of the water. Some kind of animal show. But my guesses were all wrong, when some guys went in and started talking. They first entertained the crowd. The seat rows had colors, blue, greed, and red. I was surprised when they started throwing water to some people sitting on the blue and green rows. Those were the soaking zones. Some voice on the speaker said earlier that on those seats you will get wet. I got lucky as I sit in the red zone and stayed dry.

I've got to watch such an amazing action show, with lots of water spraying, pyrotechnic, airplanes, boats, jetski and lots of fighting. I guess there was a bunch of bad guys with a bald headed leader and a good guy in the show, and they were fighting about a girl. That girl was in particular amazing, as she had to do stunts high in the air, and she was really strong. I wish I could be like her. Everything on that show was so real. If I am to pick which one I'd like to repeat, among all stuff that I watched during my visit at Universal Studios, the Waterworld show would be my pick. My friend was right: it is a "must see".

Pinoy movies

This month I got to watch two movies already. One is The Super Parental Guardians, which is a Filipino movie, starring Coco Martin, and Vice Ganda. The movie is an action comedy. I guess it is fun watching it, but I am not really a huge fan of Filipino movies even though I am Pinay, and I was a little bit disappointed that the story was so ordinary. But it seems everybody else was happy about movie, so it's probably worth the movie time.

Maybe I expect too much from how the movie was made. I should not compare it to the Hollywood movies. Pinoy movies are on low budget compared to Hollywood, where movies can cost hundreds of million US dollars. Hollywood movies seems to be real, even when they use special effects when filming it. Their equipments are high tech. I wish someday Pinoy movies can be more realistic. Right now, movie with guys with super powers are the corniest movies here. The only reason why I sometimes watch Tagalog movies at cinema is when I bored, and got nothing to do, and there are no other choices of movies that I can watch.

Ok, I talk about the other movie another time ...

Semester schedule

I think my schedule this semester is not that busy compared to my fist semester. Last semester, I had to attend 6 subjects, and this semester is only 5 subjects. I was pleasently surprised that I would not be having a Math subject this semester. Mathematics is pain for me, as I have a small brain and mathematics is dealing with big numbers that don't want to fit into my small brain :-) I had a hard time learning math in previous semester, so I am glad it is over now.

So, yeah, my schedule is not hectic as it was before. I'm fairly comfortable with the new schedule. Just the subjects I have now are becoming more difficult, because it is more on reporting and communication. We practice giving speeches in front of the class. I am not used to talk English in front of so many people, and I can't discuss while everybody is there listening and watching me. I am a little bit shy. That's my problem. I must overcome it, and have faith on myself!

Christmas Soon

20 days before Christmas! I still can't believe Christmas is so soon, and that year 2016 is about to end. Months come and go so quickly. Why does it have to be like this? And then next year will be the same again, once January is there, us all will be waiting for any occasion that is important for us to celebrate, be it birthday, vacation, graduation, whatever, and then once we passed it, it will be December again and we'll be heading to the next year.

Being able for us to reach the end of the year is already a blessing! It's just that it's done quickly. We do get older so fast. 2016 has been a good year for me, as I started college again, and I had the opportunity to travel abroad for the first time. And I had a good birthday gift, my beloved Air Max shoes! Just like now, so many will be having their birthdays this year. Those having birthdays on 25th I consider them lucky they'll be celebrating with the Lord. Oh well, 2017 is coming, all I can do about it is to treasure every day that will be passing by.

Sunday

Today is Sunday: no school for me. It means I can stay in bed as much as I want, but now I don't want to be sleeping anymore. It was enough sleep for today. I slept longer than I expected. I was still tired from yesterday, when we had to plant trees in our school class. When you're tired it makes you fall sleep easily.

I want to do something today. It is not raining. I thought maybe I'd go out and look around in Robinsons mall and watch a movie. Tomorrow my class will be at 1:00pm, so I don't really need to wake up early then. I have some time for today, and I want to use it for something so I could escape myself from boredom.

Too much seafood

I am really full right now and my stomach is hurting. I guess, too much eating is bad for me. I ate four times today, which rarely happens. I am back home here in the province with my family. Food here is fresh, specifically the fish and other seashells. They can easily be found during low tide. My brother is good at collecting sea food. I can do that too. When I was younger, I used to go to the sea during low tide to get seashells, and sometimes I went to catch fish.

I wonder if I still can catch fish now. It's been so long since the last time I was doing that. Maybe I'd try to go if one of my brothers comes with me. I don't usually go to the sea alone, as I am scared of seasnakes. You can see them everywhere in the sea. I wasn't scared of seasnakes when I was younger. Snakes in the sea don't really bite unless you hit them. But exactly this happened once to me. Afterwards, I can no longer go to the sea alone.

Tree planting

Yesterday was the hardest day for me. Going up to the same mountain once again for tree planting while raining was really difficult. As I was holding plants, my umbrella didn't help me escape the crying skies. I was already coughing, and got a runny nose days before the tree planting, and I could feel it becoming worse yesterday. I thought I would wake up with fever today, gladful I'm not.

All of NSTP Students life was at risk yesterday. Rules was every NSTP Students must showed up for that matter. Tree planting is really important for us, because it is our preliminary requirements. Without attending, students might fail the NSTP preliminary exam. So it was all worth it going. But I'm hoping that next time it won't be raining, otherwise all students will get sick.

Double handsome

It looks like there is another hunk about to get famous! Well, he is already famous in the modelling industry, and he is an international model. But he will be even more famous when he got out from PBB house. Yes, you guys can find him at the Pinoy Big Brother's reality TV show!

I am talking about Tyler Mata, 21 years old, half American / half Filipino from Nueva Ecija. His dad is Filipino. And guess what? Handome comes in double here! He has a twin brother who is also an international model. They are really lookalikes, except the skin color, Tyler is darker and Tanner is whiter. They are both in the show. To those who might be interested, look them up in PBB! They are killing the show. Cheers!

To my readers

Hello everyone around the globe! Hope you all are having a great day, morning or evening. I know my blog is not that super popular, and only few will read this, but it is okay. At least to those who look up on my page and can see this post, I would like to thank you all for viewing my posts. I know my English is not perfect and my ideas what I write in the blog are rather mundane. Forgive me my language mistakes and grammar. I hope someday I can learn a lot more and improve my writing. That's why I do all this: it is English practice for me. Keep in mind that English is not my native language.

Right now I am out of ideas what to write. My brain doesn't cooperate. Sometimes there are many topics that I want to write about, but the problem is, I really don't know where to start. That is my main problem. And even when I'm learning new English words, after few days, they will dissappear from my brain. I forget things easily. So sad!