May kanya-kanya tayong kwento hindi man pare-pareho pero madalas magkakarugtong.

Natatandaan mo ang araw na iyon hindi dahil sa kwento nyo kundi dahil may nangyari rin sa'yo sa lugar na iyon o may karanasan ka rin sa taong yun.

Ang common siguro sa atin ay yung mga paaralang pinasukan natin.

Aminin natin, kung titimbangin ang dahilan ng pag-aaral natin - mababatid natin na hindi tayo nag-aral lang para matuto, marami kasi ay nag-aaral dahil kailangan - requirement kasi; na para bang matapos lang ito, hindi man ako makakuha ng mataas na marka ay ayos lang dahil alam nating may ibang mundo - totoong buhay na naghihintay sa labas at para na rin nating sinasabi na hindi totoo ang buhay sa kolehiyo.

Kung iisipin, oo nga. Marami ang hindi totoo sa kolehiyo. Maraming subject at kwento na hindi napapakinabangan.

Ang totoo sa kolehiyo ay yung mga pagsubok. Kung paano ka sumagot, humarap at nanindigan. Kung nakibagay ka ba, nakinig, nanahimik o nagsuri.

Ang totoo ay kung paano ka pumasok, kung paano mo sinuong ang bagyo, lumusong sa tubig, nakiramay sa kamag-aral na nagkasakit, namatayan, nasunugan, nabuntis, napraning and worst - nagpakamatay.

May mga pangyayari noong nasa kolehiyo ka pa na nagbukas sa isip mo kung ano ang buhay. Yun bang para kang hinila sa pagkabata, bigla kang natauhan at napaisip - Ano 'to? Bakit ganun?

Hanggang sa makaramdam ka ng kaunting kabuluhan sa sarili mo - na parang may iba kang calling. Parang may gusto kang gawin. Bigla kang nagkasaysay. Naging tao ka - tinatawag na.

Nagsisimula ka ng mag-isip at mag-analisa. Nakikipagdebate ka na. Madalas tahimik at nag-iisip o sumasama sa mga munting usap-usapan, nagbabahagi ng opinyon. Congratulations! Nagmamature ka na. Lumalawak na marahil ang iyong karanasan.

Sa paaralan - madalas mamarkahan ang ginagawa mo. Nagiging batayan tuloy kung tama ka o mali - yun nga lang, sa labas, walang magmamarka at magsasabi sa'yo kung tama yan o mali. Walang isang tao na magiging boss natin para sabihin na ang opinyon ko ang tama at hindi ang sa'yo.

Hindi naman ilusyon ang kolehiyo bagamat madalas nagkakasundo ang sinumang nakapagtapos na pag nagtatrabaho ka na, its a completely different world.

Kung masarap ba sa mundong ito o nakakatakot bang tumampisaw dito - depende ang sagot ko. Depende kung paano mo natutunan ang buhay noong bata-bata ka pa lang.

Ngayon, totoong malaya ka. Hawak mo ang buhay mo. Ibig sabihin noon, walang oras, wala dapat routine, pwede mong baguhin ang nakasanayan mo kahit kailan mo gusto. Walang gigising sa'yo, magsasabi na pumasok ka na. Pero wala ring magbibigay ng pagkain at baon sa'yo.

Ngayon kasi, walang mundong nakahanda sa'yo. Walang schedule na papasukan dahil ngayon ikaw ang magpapatakbo ng buhay mo. Hindi mo kinakailangang pakisamahan ang taong hindi mo gusto dahil malaya ka.

Kung gaano ka magsusumikap ay depende sa requirement mo sa buhay mo - kung hanggang saan mo lalagyan ng hangganan ang kasiyahan.

Pwede kang magpahinga - pwedeng mas maaga.

Pwede ring maging masaya kapiling ng pamilya at pwede rin ng nag-iisa.

Basta lang, sa bawat desisyon mo - alam mong wala ng ibang sisisihin. Dahil ang lahat ngayon ay bunga ng mga pinili mong desisyon.

Kaya nga wala akong dapat sisihin.

--

Noong nakaraang araw lang, katext ko ang kaibigan kong si Mags.

Mahabang exchange of text messages.

Sabi ko, sobrang abala ako at pati pag-iyak, hindi ko magawa, kailangan ko pang iiskedyul.

Nagreply naman siya, nagyayaya na magkita kami para mag-iyakan. Simple nga ang message, sabi niya, tara iyak tayo.

Parang tara inom tayo. o tara nood tayo ng movie.

Ganun na ang buhay na natali at nakalimot na may buhay pa pala - ang paglabas ng nararamdaman ay isinasaisantabi para sa mas mahalagang bagay - ang pag-unlad ng kumpanya.

salamat sa naging guro ko sa Ethics at Values sa pagtuturo ng pagmamahal sa trabaho - tsk. tsk. tsk.

Araw-araw, hindi ka mauubusan ng gagawin

magigising ka na hinahabol ang bawat araw

sana lang ay magtatapik sa'yo at magsasabi na maghinay-hinay ka para hindi dumami ang trabaho.

Yun bang magpapaalala sa yo na ikaw ang lumilikha ng trabaho mo. Na pwede mo namang kontrolin at hindi kinakailangang makipag-unahan dahil wala ka namang hinahabol.

Nang sa gayon ay hindi ka gumigising para habulin ang panibagong araw.

-

Salamat sa mga salamin ng pintuan at dingding,

naaalala ko na mayroong isang tao na kailangan ko ring harapin.

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

So What? Kate Malone is an interesting character who lives in a small town, and her life suddenly changes when her nemesis, Terri Litch, moves in with her.

How Long? 231 pages

When I first saw this book, I wasn’t very interested, for the only thing that seemed interesting was the main character. Then, I saw that the author was the author of the award winning novel, Speak. I heard so many good things about that book, so I decided to try this novel, expecting it to be good, too.

However, the only good part about this book is its main character.

Kate Malone loves for everything to be organized, and for everything to be stable. But, she has only applied to MIT, with no safeties or options if she didn’t get in. That’s not stable. And Teri Litch and her brother have moved in with her when Teri’s house catches on fire. That definitely doesn’t help. Kate is stuck in a world where there is no such thing as stability.

Kate is loveable, with a cynical and sarcastic humor, and relatable, with all her problems surrounding being a good student. She’s not perfect, but she is an interesting character, and the book would have done so well if it had stayed a character study.

The first half of the book is great, focusing mostly on Kate and how she deals with her life. There’s enough conflict and it’s a good character study. Once the book reaches halfway, though, the focus shifts towards Teri and some more plot driven points. Teri is the main antagonist, and rather unlikable. Although she is purposely portrayed in that light for the beginning of the book, there is a push towards sympathizing with Teri around the end. Yet, that push doesn’t work, for Teri is still unlikable. She is very selfish, and no justification the author gives can redeem that trait.

Catalyst has so much potential to become a great book, but unfortunately, it doesn’t reach it.

Author: Laura Peyton Roberts

So What? Cassie has a knack for always getting second place, but when the new guy, Kevin, catches her eye, she will do almost anything in order to avoid the curse of always coming in second.

How Long? 324 pages

According to Cassie, everybody has a talent, whether it’s useful or not. Cassie’s friend, Quentin, has a talent for always getting the best parking spots, no matter what the situation is, while her other friend, Fitz, has a talent for picking the longest line. Apparently, whatever line Fitz is in will take forever, no matter how many people are waiting.

And Cassie’s talent? Well, she’s really good at taking second place.

That becomes a big problem when a new student, Kevin, arrives. He instantly attracts the attention of many girls, including Cassie and her nemesis, Sterling Carter. Both want to take Kevin to the Snow Ball and become his girlfriend, so it’s a fight to see who will win. Cassie doesn’t want to end up in second place again, and especially not with Kevin, because with boys, she usually ends up in the second half of a “boy-friend”. Will Cassie break her second place curse?

Lighthearted and funny, The Queen of Second Place reminds you of a Meg Cabot novel, especially with the witty detention essays thrown in throughout the book. The book is great if you want something that won’t make you think very hard, and if you just want to relax and laugh. Cassie is a charismatic narrator, but, like all of the characters in the book, she’s rather flat. As a result of being such a light book for teens, none of the characters are really fleshed out. Also, some events in the book are a bit improbable. What kind of high school would sponsor an event that locks a group of high school students overnight in a bowling alley? With teenage hormones and protective parents, I really doubt a school would let something like that happen.

Nevertheless, The Queen of Second Place proves to be a satisfying read, especially if you want a nice laugh.

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Age Level:  14 and up

# of Pages:  494 p.

RAC Book:  Yes

Bindy Mackenzie is a very studious and conscientious high school student.  She is the type who always gets the highest grade in the class and is not afraid to tell anyone what she thinks.  Due to her frank and curious nature she has sometimes alienated students around her.  This year all juniors are required to take a Friendship and Development (FAD) class that she finds useless and a waste of time.  The class asks her to look back at her own life so far and reflect on what she sees.  She finds that she is not happy with her relationships and becomes obsessed with making friends in her (FAD) class.  As she focuses on this more and more she loses sight of everything that was previously important to her.  She also starts to get really sick.  Can she pull herself together to become the person she realizes she wants to be or is it too late?

This story is told through Bindy's journal and includes diary entries, memos, emails, essays, and even transcripts of conversations she has heard.  Bindy records every thought and interaction she has every day.  As she struggles with her home life, school life, and health her journal ramblings can seem a little superfluous but in the end everything makes sense as the surprising ending unfolds.  Students who make it through some of the mundane chapters will be pleased with how the story ends and will appreciate why the mundane portions of the book were important in order to piece together what happens to Bindy.  The story also discusses many issues that teenagers face everyday and shows students that there are many ways to deal with those issues, some more effective than others.

Final exams.

It's so mean, having to take these tests before a great summer. We can't just slip easily into a world of relaxation. However, I see why. We students would have nothing to work for, to achieve, and to aim. School teaches you a lot more than knowledge about the material. It refines your personality, therefore, I actually love school, it allows me to explore the possibilities of my personality. It's like pick-and-choose who you are, except through destiny.

That doesn't make so much sense.

Anyway, for one of my finals, I have to do a project about one of the issues in America, and my friend and I have chosen the death penalty. Not that I really care- the class I'm in is a joke, and I'm 95% sure I will get an "A" no matter what. But, really, it is an interesting subject. The death penalty seems so harsh - "cruel and unusual punishment." There are so many ways one can oppose the use of this penalty. That's why my assignment is hard- I have to be FOR the death penalty.

On this site, I found reasonsfor why the DP would be refuted. One reason would be that no matter how many are killed, our crime rate here in the US continues to increase. I find this are hard point to create a rebuttal for. It's totally true. Nobody is afraid of dying. There are all these martyrs out there that don't care, and then there are the adventurous, taking whatever their life throws at them. (Although, calling people martyrs and adventurous makes them sound better than they might actually be!) And then another is that we may kill someone that is in fact innocent. I can agree, that an innocent person could be killed - I had read an article in the Reader's Digest not too long ago about a man who was innocent, yet falsely accused and jailed for 30 years until his innocence had been proved. Supposing he had died? That would have been a loss for the family  - and, oh- the government would have to a few others to their list of people who might form an anarchist movement.

Yet, is it better that we don't kill people at all? Some deserve it. Ethically, there are so many people who should never get another chance to live, because of their crimes. If you kill, you get killed right? This is where the death penalty crosses the path of one of the greatest men to walk the earth - Mahatma Gandhi. What did he say, now? "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." I do wonder what Gandhi would have said if faced witha final project like this. He used non-violence and fought off a powerful nation with words. If someone killed his a loved one, I suppose he wouldn't have rushed to Indian government and pleaded with them to hunt out the murderer and kill he or she, too.

Ahh. I picked a hard prompt. Here I am, making a good arguement for the other side!
Now, I just have to find a way to say the opposite. Pah.

WIsh me luck.

1. Kapag break, takbo agad sa photox machine. Unless nasa lahi niyo si Lydia de Vega, never kang magiging pinaka-una, kasi kadalasan, yung una eh reserved sa mga batang Grade 6 na pinapakyaw ang pagpapa-photox sa acetate.
2. Napakahaba ng pila. Yung oras na aaksayahin mo sa pagpila eh higit pa sa session ng isang taong may LBM.
3. Paminsan-minsan, may sisingit na teacher na magpapa-photox ng 'konti lang', pero ang tutoo eh isandaang kopya ng handouts na gagamitin niya sa klase ang ipapa-photox niya.
4. Kapag minalas ka, yung taong nasa harap mo eh magpapa-photox ng isang buong libro.
5. Kapag mas minalas ka, yung taong nasa harap mo eh may isang batalyon ng kaklase na nagpapasingit ng ipapa-photox nila. Eto yung mga taong masarap buhusan ng toner sa mukha.

Ayan! Nasa harap ka na ng pila! Oh joy. Pero syempre, kung ikaw yung tipong kinamalas-malasan talaga, siguro nakaranas ka na ng isa sa mga ito:

1. Ubos na ang toner, o di kaya'y yung papel.
2. Breaktime na nung babaeng nagpapa-photox. Maglalagay siya ng isang malaking karatula sa photox machine na 'breaktime', sabay isang ngiti na nangkukutsa pa. "Belat niyo!!"
3. Nakalimutan mong bumili ng acetate. At yung acetate sa pinakamalapit na tindahan nun, naubusan na rin.
4. Tapos na ang break niyo at sinisigawan ka na ng YLC [Discipline Coordinator] na bumalik sa classroom.

Eto, napansin ko lang: "There isn't enough photocopiers in a particular school."

Walang matinong estudyanteng nag-aaral sa St. Mary's ang hindi makakakilala sa tisay na to na walang ginawa sa buhay kundi ipikit ang mata at pagkrusin ang dalawang kamay. Syempre, siya ay walang iba kundi ang hindi matibag na si Venerable Ignacia del Espiritu Santo.

Masayang maging Marian. Marian-Ignacian. Ignacian-Marian. Whatever. Kapag meron ka ng mga ganitong quality, masasabi ko na Marian ka nga:

1. Toxic ka na sa isang damakmak na dasal bawat umaga, spoiled sa popcorn at shredded corn tuwing uwian, at pudpod na ang utak mo sa mga nakaka-nosebleed nga namang final exams, lalo na sa Math.
2. Kapag maririnig mo ang boses ng Directress sa PA, sumisigaw ka na parang di ka na mabubuhay bukas kasi ang ibig sabihin nun, suspended ang klase.
3. Isa ka sa mga karerista papunta sa locker tuwing uwian. Paunahang makapag-locker, ang kulang na lang eh tumaya ka sa paborito mong kabayo kaklase.
4. Meron kayong di-tapos na BULLETIN BOARD na kung saan ang kalat ng classroom eh tinatapal, gamit ang kung anu-anong pandikit tulad ng glue gun, thumbtacks, scotch tape, o kaning lamig.
5. Sa bulletin board makikita ang kahusayan ng klase sa UNITY, kasi ginagawa ito bilang isang klase isang oras bago ang judging.
6. Rindi ka sa pangungulit ng "BABA NA!!!" ng student council, dahil wala na rin lang naman silang gagawin tuwing breaks kundi magpalabas ng estudyante.
7. Umuupo ka sa maliliit na upuan tuwing unang Biyernes.
8. Tuwang-tuwa ka sa isang linggong Intrams. Kung lalaki ka, makikita ka sa volleyball games, at ang tinitingnan mo eh hindi bola kundi hita. Kung babae ka, tinitilian mo ang mga basketbolista ng bawat section, at pinagpapantasyahan mong sayo na mapunta ang jersey nilang nanlilimahid sa pawis.
9. Pagkatapos ng Oktubre, bankrupt ka na at masakit ang tuhod mo dahil lahat na ng pera mo eh nasa sobreng kulay brown, at lahat ng enerhiya mo eh binuhos mo sa pagluhod sa tiles tuwing umaga.
10. Masaya ka kapag may fire drill, lalo na kapag na-sakto sa long test.

Aside from this “nervousness”, we also had this so-called “indifferences”; which are solved by a year-long stay inside the classroom. Before we face the new school year, we are equipped with the hope that we will be able to surpass all of the requirements and the activities that are going to happen (which is possible through teamwork and cooperation—not in cheating; but in accomplishing those tasks mentioned.). During this year-long stay, we experienced triumphs and defeats together with our classmates. We also shared memories with them; these include being together through the good times and the bad times (a.k.a. “thick and thin”). We also experienced learning life’s lessons the hard way, with the guidance of our teachers. Remembering these things will make it hard for us to say “Good bye” when the school year finally ends.

And now, the school year has finally come to its end. Several organizations (and some clubs as well) held their own farewell parties for the leaving Seniors, which were flooded with tears—because of the pain of leaving and the pain of being left behind. Though it is very painful, we must keep in mind that the memories shared will never be forgotten; because it will always be in our hearts.

For the Seniors, after we leave our school’s four walls, we must not forget the values and the knowledge imparted to us by our teachers; for these may serve as our guide to the real world—in entering a entirely new phase in our lives: the college life. For the undergrads, we must not forget the values and learnings passed on to us by our Ates and Kuyas for these may serve as your examples as you journey through High School life.

This is not the end—it is just the beginning. A beginning of a new journey; waiting to be welcomed with full of hope and happiness..

NOTE: This is one of my editorials in our school paper [The Lily] way back in high school [where I was the Literary Editor back then]. If you have a copy of the second issue of 'The Lily', keep in mind that the editorial that you're reading at the moment is only a 'soft copy' [therefore making the one you've read in the newspaper the 'hard copy' of this editorial].

Even up to this date, I can still remember how I used to walk along the high school corridors, busy interacting with different people that I will come across with. There are times when I caught myself almost half asleep while going to our classroom [fortunately, I didn't experienced falling asleep on the corridor, haha]. It's because of [so] many homeworks [not to mention, projects and researchworks, as well] flooding our school bags to be finished at home, and to be submitted the next day [or, if we're darn lucky, the deadline of submission for that particular homework/project/researchwork will be scheduled a minimum of 1 week later..], so the nights spent sleeping late outnumbered the nights spent sleeping early [unlike in the first 3 years of our HS life, where most of the nights were spent in sleeping early, where we're still carefree high school students, with hassle-free lives]. Aside from these school works, as far as I can remember, another cause of this particular scenario is our worries as graduating students, which includes the most thought-of question: 'Am I going to graduate?'  This question is one of the things that challenge [should I use 'worry' instead?] us during our last year in high school. It is for the reason that the answer to this question depends on our hardwork and perseverance in fulfilling different tasks during our senior year. There is a time that I almost gave up on this so-called 'challenge', because of many factors [and I know that you already know some of those 'factors', right?]. Fortunately, I managed to accomplish my last year in high school by being faithful to God, as a source of strength and courage.

While fulfilling those so-called 'challenging' tasks and responsibilities during our senior year, I had never missed a chance to interact with different people [as I've said earlier], especially with the lower years [a. k. a. the 'undergrads'], because of the different organizations I belonged to way back in high school [our school publication's one of them]. As a member of those different organizations, one had seen me moving back and forth to the different locations in our campus. During those times, some of the undergraduates will greet me and give me an update on a specific organization [e. g. our school publication]; or, at times, I will spend our breaks being with them. One will seldom see me with my batchmates/classmates 'coz I usually spent most of the time being with my undergraduate friends [but this does not mean that I don't like being with my batchmates, it's just that I enjoyed being with my undergradute friends more during that time; since that year will be my last year in high school]. One will only see me with some of my batchmates when attending organizational meetings and accomplishing organizational tasks. Everytime I remember those moments, it only makes it harder for me to leave high school. I just can't help but dream about not having to leave them behind [I mean, who wouldn't, right?].

Anyway, above all this loneliness and longingness I'm feeling inside before entering college, I always know that they will always be a part of who I am today. One, if in my position right at this very moment, will be very grateful to all of the good things they've done for me. Those people, which includes the students [batchmates and undergrads, alike], the mentors, and the staff, really made my stay in high school really memorable [or is it more in college?]. Through them, I was equipped with the things I will be needing in the near future, in facing the real life.

In 25 days, I will be entering the college life in a university where one may experience what life behind the protective walls of high school is about. It is where one cannot be  those 'carefree' students anymore, and the worries we just had during our senior year will be doubled upon entering this another chapter. Right now, I'm starting to get excited—not to mention also having fears also about going to college ['coz it's really a big world out there]. But I know,  despite these mixed emotions, I know that we, the incoming freshmen, have adventurous souls, ready to face life's challenges again.

Just like what we did way back in high school.. *sigh*

Genre: Sports/Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 14 and up

# of Pages: 200

2008 Iowa Teen Award Winner

RAC Book: Yes

Miles Manning has been a starting football player since he was in junior high. His team begins the year with high aspirations of winning state, but those dreams quickly vanish when their two starting quarterbacks get hurt and their coach has to leave for radiation treatments. The new coach blames Miles for everything that goes wrong with the team and believes he thinks too much and should just react to situations.

As hard as life is at school, however, it is worse at home. Miles's dad is like a ticking time bomb that they all tip toe around and try not to set off. He still manages to find things to be angry about and usually goes after Miles when he wants to yell at someone. He was a big football player himself, so whenver he can he tells Miles all the mistakes he is making and never compliments him on what he does well.

On top of everything else, the players who are doing well on the team have all started taking recreational drugs including steroids and want him to do the same. This story accurately depicts the many aspects of a teenager's life and how pressure can come at a student from all sides at times. Despite the many people trying to pull Miles down he always does what he feels is right, even if he knows there will be consequences. He cannot allow others to think for him and instead chooses to always think for himself. Miles has to learn that there will be life after high school and in order to survive he needs to look ahead. Recommended, especially for sports readers.

]]> http://manderse11.wordpress.com/?p=90 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:47:27 +0000 manderse11 http://manderse11.wordpress.com/?p=90

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Level: 14 and up

# of Pages: 250 p.

RAC Book: Yes

Tyler struggles with both his home and school life. His father works for one of the most powerful men in the community and struggles to please him. The stress of his dad's job transfers to a difficult home life for Tyler as his father often takes his frustrations out by yelling and him, his mother, and his sister. Although his dad never hits anyone, he is not afraid to yell and throw tantrums in order to get the respect from his family that he thinks he deserves.

At the same time, Tyler is still remembered for a vandalism prank he pulled the previous year. He is constantly picked on and ridiculed, but the most popular girl in school, who also happens to be his dad's boss's daughter, has decided to show some interest in him. When Tyler makes a difficult decision at a party to walk away from a bad situation, he ends up landing in even more trouble than he could have imagined.

This powerful story will resonate with readers in a similar way to Anderson's popular Speak. This story asks many questions about high school life such as: Do the rich and powerful always win? Can someone be beaten into submission? Can someone survive abuse in all aspects of his or her life? Is it possible to stand up for yourself against all powerful forces? Students will find this story haunting but possible, which will leave them thinking about these questions long after they have finished reading.

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Age Level:  12 and up

# of Pages:  278

RAC Book:  Yes

Elisa loves to write poems and chooses to use that talent to help boys get girls to like them.  She believes that she will always be invisible since she is not pretty or popular.  When she helps a boy named Theo try to woo a popular girl she begins to enjoy meeting with him to share poems and other thoughts.  When his new girlfriend finds out she gets jealous and vows to make Elisa's life miserable. 

Elisa is not just invisible at school, however.  Her mother and older sister are beautiful blonds who concern themselves with their appearance and the latest fashions.  Elisa doesn't mind this as much as you would think because she has such a strong connection to her father, the person who showed her how to view nature in a way that she could write poetry about it.  Her father has been out of town on business for a long time and it begins to cause friction between her parents.

The idea of Elisa being a Cyrano de Bergerac is interesting, but not played out enough.  She seems to do it out of sheer kindness even though everyone around her treats her terribly.  Her fascination with skating is interesting, but also rushed in the ending which makes it feel underdeveloped.  The entire ending seemed rushed and too open ended for the intended audience.  Students will have many questions about it when they are finished.  The pacing of this story is uneven and fails to resolve itself by the end. 

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie,  Art by Ellen Forney

I have to say that this is my favorite book so far this year!  It's the story of how Junior decides to go to the "White" high school off the indian reservation and how this affects his life and his relationships.  I know this may sound serious, but the book it totally told from a funny and sarcastic perspective.  There are tons of pencil drawing included, because Junior (known as Arnold at the white school) loves to draw cartoons.

What I especially liked about this book was I got some insight into what it's like to live on a reservation, but the book wasn't preachy or anything.  I immediately went and looked for more books by Alexie, and was jazzed to find three more in our library.  I have one at home now!

it seems that everyone is doing nothing but lying and backstabbing. I honestly don't care what you think of me, i have my friends and if you aren't one of them fine. just don't bitch about me behind my back & spread lies. That's called slander. At my school.. you can get expelled for that. If you have an issue, bring it up to my face. When you act sweet to my face then go off as soon as i leave.. well that just makes you look two-faced.. which i guess is true.

But my point is that you end up looking like an ass.. not me. Call me a slut? Fine. But I'm not the girl who'll go down on a guy just so she can get a ride home. That's not me and people can see right through it, Because unlike you, i don't cheat on my boyfriend with my ex.. and my "best friend's" ex within 48 hours.

By the way dear, that's not normal.

Sa simula pa lang, ramdam ko ng ayaw mo sa'kin. May isang bakanteng upuan sa tabi ko pero mas pinili mong sa likod maupo, nilagpasan mo ako. E' ano, hindi ka kagwapuhan. Nagkataon lang na magaling kang manamit.

Tahimik ka, pero hindi nung matapos ang unang Linggo ng klase. Sunod - sunod ang pagpapakitang-gilas mo. Ang masaklap, lagi kang tama. Biglang nagpasintabi sa'kin ang mga kaklase natin, agad nilang nahalata na mainit ang dugo ko sa'yo. Sa isang iglap, nagkaroon ako ng kalaban. Hindi man pinag-uusapan pero alam nang lahat na dumating na ang katapat ko. Hindi inaasahan, nagbago ang buhay ko.

Laging mainit ang talakayan sa klase. Hindi ko alam kung sinasadya mo, pero ang totoo, sinasadya ko na maging kontra sa lahat ng pinaniniwalaan mo. Ewan ko ba, nakasanayan ko ng hanapan ka ng butas. Kinahiligan ko ng makipag-argumento sa'yo. Siguro napapansin mo rin at hindi ko namamalayan na ang lahat sa akin ay nakasentro na sa'yo.

Naunahaan mo ako sa isang debate. Sinabi mong ayaw mo sa pagpapanatili ng base militar ng Amerika sa Pilipinas, alam mong ayaw na ayaw ko sa mga Amerikano at sa kahit anong imported, pero naipit mo ako. Kinailangan kong piliin ang kabilang panig. Ipinaglaban ko ang pananatili ng base militar kahit ako mismo ay hindi kumbinsido. Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, idineklara akong ikalawa lang sa pwesto mo. Panalo ka sa debate. Panalo ka sa plano mong ipahiya ako.

Simula ng pagkatalong iyon, bumagsak ang loob ko. Sunod-sunod na pagkabigo. Hanggang sa magtapos tayo ng hayskul. Ikaw ang Valedictorian at Salutatorian lang ako.

Walang imikan nang magkasalubong tayo. Hawak mo ang medalya; kumakalansing, kumikinang sa aking mata, waring nagsasabing kinulang ako. Hinawakan mo ang kamay ko, sinabi mong

"salamat, masaya ako at naging kaklase kita. Para sa ating dalawa ang karangalang ito."

May kung anong kumirot sa puso ko. Nangilid ang luha at waring nakunsyensya. Ewan ko kung bakit. Pakiramdam ko ay hinusgahan kita sa mahabang panahon. Sa mga sinabi mong iyon, nabatid kong mabuti kang tao.

"Sayang hindi na tayo magiging magkaklase, sa Amerika ako mag-aaral. Balita ko ay dito ka magpapatuloy ng kolehiyo."

"Akala ko ay ayaw mo sa mga Amerikano," nasambit ko na lang.

"Ah yun ba, parang hindi mo naman alam na diskarte lang yun para maunahaan kita. "
at sabay tayong humalakhak. Binura ng tawang iyon ang galit ko sa'yo. Hinawakan mo muli ang kamay ko, tanda ng pakikipagkaibigan - tanda rin ng pamamaalam. Paghiwalay ng ating mga palad, waring may tinangay sa aking pagkatao. Hinila ako ng kalungkutan. Nanghinayang ako sa sanang mahabang sandali na naging magkaibigan tayo sa halip na magkaaway.

"Umaasa akong hindi dito magtatapos bagkus simula ito ng mas mabuti nating samahan. Magkikita tayo ulit." wika mo at sabay alis pagkat natanaw mo na ang iyong magulang na kumakaway.

Naglalakad ka papalayo, muli kang tumingin sa akin. Pumukol ng isang matamis na ngiti at isang kaway mula sa noo, isang saludo na tinanggap ko bilang patunay na magkaibigan na tayo.

Apat na taon sa kolehiyo, wala akong balita. Wala nang nakakaalam kung saang lupalop ng mundo ka nanatili. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, nagtapos ako nang may pinakamataas na karangalan pero pakiramdam ko ay nakuha ko iyon dahil wala ka rito. Habambuhay kong binitbit ang alaalang minsan ay natalo ako. Nung umalis ka, waring may inalis ka sa akin. At umasa nga akong hindi pa iyon ang huli nating pagkikita upang ibalik ang anumang nawala sa pagkatao ko.

Umalis ako ng probinsya at nakipagsapalaran sa Maynila. Agad akong nakakuha ng trabaho. Nagturo ako sa isang pribado at sikat na paaralan. Matatalino ang mga mag-aaral at sadyang pinagpala sa buhay. Nanatili ako rito sa pagbabakasakaling dito sa Maynila, muling magkukrus ang landas natin. Magbabalitaan tayo, magkukwentuhan, ipapaalala ang ating mga pagtatalo, kung saan ako nakapuntos at kung paano ka nanalo. Alam kong darating ang araw na madudugtungan ang sandaling iyon.

Tumunog na ang bell. Hudyat na uwian na ng mga mag-aaral. Ilang bell na ang narinig ko. Ilang mag-aaral na ang tinuruan ko. Ilang mag-aaral na rin ang nasubaybayan ko mula sa unang baitang hanggang sa sila'y magtapos ng elementarya. Siyam na taon sa pagtuturo. Siyam na taon na umikot ang buhay ko sa mga bata. Mga taon na pansamantalang nagpatahan sa nalulumbay kong puso.

"teacher, teacher, bakit po kayo malungkot?" tanong ng isang bago kong mag-aaral. Hindi maikukubli sa isang batang paslit ang anumang kinukubling nararamdaman ng isang guro.

"Wala naman, napagod lang ako. Mag-ingat ka sa pag-uwi" Iyon na lamang ang naisagot ko. Sa malawak na bintana ng aking silid-aralan, natatanaw ko ang mga batang naglalakad bitbit ng mga magulang. Masaya, nasasabik para sa kalahating araw na pagkakawalay. Kasama nito ang panunumbalik nang kasabikang muli kang makita.

May kung anong humila sa aking paningin mula sa pagkakapako sa kawalan. Ang kaninang batang paslit na nagtanong sa akin ay masayang tumakbo at sumalubong sa isang matipuno at mukhang mayamang lalaki. Sa pagkakatitig, iginuhit sa aking mga mata ang iyong larawan. Hindi nga ako nagkamali. Ikaw iyon. Agad mong kinarga ang bata, hinalikan sa noo at niyakap. Nanlamig ako. Tumingin ka sa akin. Itinuro niya ako. Lumapit ka. Nanginginig ang aking pisngi, muling magkukrus ang ating landas.

"Thanks for taking care of my son I'm Mr. Torre, father of Miguel"
"Ikinagagalak ko kayong makilala, ako si... ako si Ms Fernandez"

At nagpaalam ka.

Sa muli nating pagkikitang iyon - tuluyan kang nagpaalam.

Senior HS students are assigned to supervise and lead the PALARO in our school. At last, that day came, and I was assigned in the Decoration Committee. I admit it was tiring and a lil bit boring, but since I love what I'm doing, the work became passion. [Unfortunately guys, I haven't took a photo of what we did.. That's awful. I'm gonna request for it! Haha!]
The experience is great; it was like I am designing backdrops for telenovelas, and I had my own crew to help me with it.

Of course, PALARO wouldn't be complete if it doesn't have games! 'LARO' means 'PLAY' in the Filipino language. I didn't play volleyball in the real game, but I know how to play and I think I'm good, it's just that it scares me to death when I am in the play field! I wasn't in the First 6 or substitute, but it's okay. I had Word Factory! hahaha!

Word Factory -- I supervised the 2nd Year students in playing it. Well, they already knew how, but I just watched to avoid cheating and stuff. The winner in 2nd Year came from Unity, Ms. Jennica Arboleda. Really unbeatable like her sister Janine Arboleda who beat me and that Integ guy in the 4th year WF finals!! ^0^ Mary Ann supervised the Freshmen, and OMG my crush Ruther was there. Haha! He played for the 1st time, but he won against Andrea! She was great, but I conclude he was greater now. xD

Blah Blah Blah.. Whatever is in there in that PALARO, I'll certainly won't forget it. Especially my new friends Camille Cariño, Grace Barja, Chikit Lacaba, Mavin Soriano, Renee and Nikko, Philip Dalangin, Ruther Guevarra, Patricia Aningat, Shonamae, and others...

I also won't forget my game!!! The 10-minute basketball game!
Mary Ann and Rizza versus Ann and Me!!
I scored 12 pts while Ann gained 6 for a total of 18 pts,
while our opponents Mary Ann and Rizza each had 2 pts for a total of 4 pts!!
In just 10-minutes, the score was 18-4!! In favor of my partnership! yay!!

That's the last PALARO that I'll ever have in my High School, and it's the greatest and most memorable PALARO evarrR!

to view the pictures, go here:

PALARO 2008, Tug-of-War

PALARO 2008, Rest Day, Flying Finger game

PALARO 2008 - Word Factory

xoxo,

~JaNii~

Each class will have a specialised stick. what for? Just to beat us. Even when we are in sixth grade itself the staffs will beat wildly :(  the funny and cruel thing is  buying the stick the money will be collected from all the students in the name of fund. And a student have to maintain the stick by carrying it home daily evening and bringing back for the next day class(Enna koduma sir ithu!!! :roll:). Even though a guys school we enjoyed a lot. Nick names for staffs, commenting them... obviously this will happen in every school right!

The staffs there were had great humor sense. No one can beat it. There was a staff in my sixth grade. very funny guy. I will tell a situation during his class. Actually this will happen in all his classes. He asks us to stand in a queue to get sign in maths note. When signing itself he will sleep and after awaking suddenly start teaching english poems :) . This will also happened during normal class hours i.e. when taking science class he will sleep by hearing his own teaching and after awaking will teach english grammer :lol:

Another thing we can't get good cultural entertainment there. They won't allow any film song to be played during annual days. 'Coz they will spoil the students. They will speak like this. They allowed dancing for some devotional songs. Rarely allow any movie song if it does not contain any restricted word or a word that will spoil the students(according to them eg:vathikuchi song from the film dheena. is it like that?).  So a bored cultural.

The unlimited enjoyment was during our 10th grade and somewhat in 12th grade. Wow high school life is really a cool life even though there were no girls 8)

 

Beastly by Alex Flinn

 For sure, it's another take on "Beauty and the Beast," but Flinn brings something new to her story, by making the two main characters teenagers at an exclusive prep school in New York City.  Junior Kyle Kingsbury is so superficial and downright mean to his fellow students, that readers won't be too sad when a goth-looking witch turns him into a werewolf type beast.  He slowly transforms into a caring, thoughtful human being with the help of his blind tutor, housekeeper, and Lindy, a scholarship student from his old school.  The changes in him and his relationship with Lindy make the book hard to put down, despite the happy ending we all know is coming.

 This book is presently on order for our library.

 

Buddha Boy by Kathe Koja

This slim book (only 117 pages!)  might be perfect for someone needing to turn in a book report tomorrow, someone who doesn't really love reading, or someone who is learning English as a second language.

It's the story about a regular kid, Justin, who sees behind a new boy's weird looks, and realizes that he might not be such a freak after all.  The way Jinsen dresses:  shaved head, oversized t-shirts, and no jackets ever draws the attention of the school's jocks, who like to bully anyone who is different.  When the art teacher partners the two boys in a project, Justin finds out that it's not that easy to be friends with someone the "cool" kids don't like.  Try this story to see how he tries to balance what he feels is right with the pressure from his friends to act like "everyone else."

is this the way High School is always going to be??

No I'm not talking about the cricket game. I'm talking about the teenage rebellion, the drinking, the parties, the cliques, the consant struggle to fit in. So here I was thinking hard about all this, gaining perspective - and I guess I kind of realised how much it sucks; It's so....BORING!

It's just the same old thing! I mean, of course the people change, but teenagers everywere are faced with the same challenges. Take the 'cool kids'. Some people stay 'cool'  until their senior year, some of the misfits never get in, and the rest of us spend our time loathing the whole structure, but no matter who we are, we all deal with it in our own ways...

Maybe its built into our makeup. Maybe we are just stupid.

Whatever it is, lets hope it gets easier instead of harder to make it in our 12 years of schooling...

Just thought I'd share with you...

hannah xx