Energy

First of all, I really don't know why the title of this post is that. *points upwards*

Second, I know I have been quite busy for a long time that I forget to do some of the most important things in my life which includes to write and reminisce. *sighs*

Third, to make up for my long absence, I'll write a loooooong post. I mean it. *sticks tongue out*

Drat. Freaking, freaking drat.

I have been so (as in really, really) busy for the past few weeks. We have had so many requirements to submit on time and they all come crashing down like "Aaaaaaaaah!". Seriously though, it has really been a rough quarter for me and my classmates. All of us were acting out of the ordinary; meaning we sleep really late and sometimes we don't sleep because of tons of projects, we refuse to eat because of the stack of assignments before us, we tend to get irritated by the simplest jokes and worst of all, we tend to forget to relax and enjoy because of the tension all around us.

To be honest, sometimes, I want to miss school just because I'm tired and fed up of all the stress it throws to me. I just want to stay home, watch the television, be online for the whole day. I want to lock myself up in my room and sleep until my eyes won't open anymore. Haha. Kidding. Well, I hate it when I have to wake up, having just barely an hour of sleep, because I have to go to school. I hate it when I need to sprinkle ice-cold water to my face just to totally wake me up. I hate it when I have to study in the service when I could just be resting or sleeping. I fudging hate it.

Anyway, Christmas is fast-approaching. I hope for nothing but the best in the season's holidays.

I just want to rest, rejuvinate, revive.

3R is all I need.

Is that too much to ask for?

Busy

I've been so busy these past few weeks. I rarely have time to blog. Aw. That's just so sad. I still have lots to do. I wish I can catch up with my "blog life" in the days to come. I'll be back to post.

In One Breath

“The world is so big that we cannot cause any harm to it at all.”

How true is this? Look at the world around you. Is this evident? Is the world really a big place that not even billions of people can cause harm to it? Is this statement still applicable to what we see around us?

The answer: no. If only all of us are careful observers, we can see that the earth is turning to a big ball of frustration and despair ▬ far from what is used to be, a place of felicity and amorousness. What had happened? What did we do? We ruined everything and instead of thinking for others, we just thought of our own selfish selves. The evidence of our wrongdoings is undeniable. Slowly, Mother Nature gives back to us what we do to her.

Global warming is only one of the many challenges that the humanity faces today. But first, what is Global Warming? It is the increase in the average measured temperature of the Earth’s surface due to excessive trapping of heat in the atmosphere. In other words, the place we live in gets warmer and warmer everyday which we don’t notice at first but feel as time passes by.

Because of this, many phenomena occur like extreme weather, floods and typhoons, and droughts and famine which will eventually lead to the destruction of some places and quite a few illnesses. These can lead to the loss of property, source of living, place to live in, or worse ▬ lives. We are already seeing changes around us. Glaciers are melting at a faster pace, plants and animals are deprived of their habitats, and there is a rapid increase of storms and hurricanes that destroy lives.

If this would go on, in the near 40 years, we could be experiencing many catastrophic consequences that are harder to tolerate than what we are experiencing now. There would be more cases of people dying. Global sea levels would rise due to the profuse melting of Antarctica and Greenland’s ice which could submerge some places like Beijing and Shanghai in China and Calcutta, India. Droughts and wildfires would occur more often, thus affecting a multitude of inhabitants in a particular place. Heat waves would be more frequent and would be more intense and because of this, many people will suffer. Lastly, more than a million species of plants and animals would be extinct by 2050.

Each one of us is a cause of Global Warming. Each one of us contributes to the destruction of the place we live in. Each one of us deprives the next generations of better futures and brighter tomorrows. But, let us always keep in mind that there’s still time. We can still solve this global environmental problem if we act together, as one. Let us learn to forget about ourselves even for just a moment. May this serve as a lesson to all of us that we should be responsible towards nature. We should take care of it so that the future generations could still see the beauty of the world and benefit from it. It is but right if we do small things everyday because someday, these will all add up and make big differences. Let us not be blind and let us not have “frog mentality” in which like frogs, we only see the danger of destroying Mother Nature if it comes all at once and not appears gradually. Hand in hand, we can do this.

Let Go

Last Friday (yesterday, because today is Saturday), while having our PE class, which fortunately and unfortunately is Arnis, I had a realization. Right after having the practical test which was Sinawali 4, I saw a dried leaf. It was there on my jogging pants. Well, the funny thing was, my first instinct is to look up to see where it came from. I saw that the trees there have many dried leaves that slowly fall to the ground.

My realization?

I realized that the trees are like people. The leaves, on the other hand, are like sad experiences. If the trees continue to bear the dried leaves in their branches, there would never be enough space for new, evergreen leaves to grow. But, if they let those dried leaves fall, there will be enough room for leaves to grow which will make it a more beautiful and attractive tree. Pretty much like humans, isn't it? If we let the heart-breaking experiences remain in our hearts and rule over us, there will never be a portion in our hearts wherein we can put all the happy memories that make us strong. On the other hand, if we let go of these lonesome experiences, there will be enough space for new beginnings and merry encounters. Learn to be brave. Life isn't meant to be mourned and endured. It is meant to be remembered and embraced. =)

Misunderstood

I really don't know why I'm writing about this. Maybe... because I was thinking so hard my mind couldn't bear it anymore. :p Kidding aside, well, I was really thinking. You know, about things. Questions... wandering around my head.

Last night, I slept restlessly. I don't know why. Maybe because I had tons of things to do... or, maybe because I was thinking again. What was it I was thinking about? Many things, actually but one thing reigns.

Why do people misjudge and misunderstand me?

Sa totoo lang, 'di ko talaga maintindihan kung bakit. Gusto mo ba malaman kung anong nangyari?

Last Friday, July 18, we had an open forum. Our main objective was to know our positive traits and negative traits. We finished at around 5 pm. Well, it went smoothly. Everything turned out well.

MAINGAY naman talaga ako. IYAKIN din. I admit, I easily cry over things. COMPETITIVE. I am. Aminado naman ako. Alam ko rin na madali akong magalit. Lalo na kapag masama ang pakiramdam ko. MAKULIT naman talaga ako. Salamat sa mga nakakaintindi. Only, when I was reading my negative traits... 3 traits stroke me the most. OA, KSP, at grade-conscious.

Oo, aminado naman ako na grade-conscious ako. Sabi naman ng nanay ko, walang masama sa pagiging GC (grade-conscious). Kasi, kung grade-conscious ka, may pakielam ka sa mga grades mo, ayaw mo ng mapapabayaan. Kaya, hindi ko naman iniisip na masama ang maging ganun. Gusto nga i-raise ng nanay ko ang topic na 'yun sa mga teachers e. Wala naman talagang masama sa pagiging grade-conscious. Basta, dapat nasa tamang lugar. 'Di ba?

One more thing, if I happen to be too much grade-conscious, it is because I'm too tired of proving myself to other people. Sa totoo lang, pagod na pagod na ako. Ok lang naman sa'kin ang ma-kumpara sa ate ko. Ayaw ko lang ng pag-uusapan ako dahil hindi ko kayang lampasan o kahit pa pantayan lang ang mga nagawa n'ya. Ano naman? Iba-iba naman ang mga tao, 'di ba? Iba kami ng ate ko. Ewan ko lang ba kung bakit ganito ang buhay ko. Magulo.

Kung OA ako at KSP, e di sana sinabi n'yo na lang sa'kin. Sana naman 'wag n'yong itago. Parang ang plastik naman kasi ng dating kung hindi n'yo sinasabi sa'kin. My mother talked to me about this. Sabi n'ya natural lang daw, kasi defense mechanism ko daw 'yun. Sana pala lahat ng tao katulad ng nanay ko, na naiintindihan ako ng buong puso. If only...

Hindi masama ang loob ko sa mga kaklase ko. Hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit hindi n'yo magawang sabihin HARAP-HARAPAN. Kailangan pa pala ng ganitong activity para malaman ko. Ano nga?

My life and experiences molded me to be what I am today... whether you like it or not, this is ME. I am willing to change. I am. The thing is, I can't change in just one snap of a finger.

I'm running out of things to say. Tears are already threatening to pour.

Sana magkaroon ako ng lakas ng loob na sabihin lahat ng 'to sa Friday. Sana... :(

(This is, so far, the only post I spoke in our vernacular. This is also, so far, the only post I showed how hurt I hurt I was already.)

Credits go to the people who understand my negative traits yet understand me with all their hearts: Raizza, Anne, Rishina, Jom, Karl, Danielle, Jessa, Thessa, Feliza, Patricia, Bianca, and all the people who I failed to mention but still helped me a lot.

Try

Someone asked me once, "Would you have still tried even if you know that it wouldn't work?"

I said:

"It's like a championship game. Two seconds left on the clock. My team is down by 1. I have the ball and I'm open for a jump shot. Should I take the shot or not? If I don't, we lose and go home crying. I guess I'll still take that shot. And if I miss the shot, I'd still cry. But it feels a lot less painful knowing that at least, I TRIED."

This quote inspires me so much. In life, we should take risks and try things. We are not made to hold back, we were never made to do so. What if everything else fails? What if? That's why it's called, "What if..."; we are never sure if it'll happen or not. We humans should take risks in order for us to know what we are capable of and what are our limitations. You... if by chance, you have the ball, would you go for it? or would you hold back and never give it a try? That's why it's dubbed "trying". We never know what will happen next in doing so. So... why not give things a try? Maybe, just maybe, all things would work out fine. :)

Like the Flowing River

I am currently reading one of Paulo Coelho's books now. I dropped by the bookstore [National Bookstore] yesterday and I decided to buy one. It's the last there is. Like the Flowing River is a collection of short stories he has either written, experienced, or stories that have been told to him by his friends. Some are his reflections while travelling from country to country. Right now, I'm just starting to read it, but, I tell you, this book is really great. :)

An Interview with God

Man: What surprises you most about humankind?
God: That they get bored with childhood, they rush to grow up, and then long to be children again... that they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health... that by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither the present nor the future... that they live as if they will never die and die as if they have never lived.

A friend passed this quote to me through SMS. I was so inspired and it surely made me think.


What if I was given the chance to interview Him?
What would I ask?
What would I tell Him?

Well, this quote. It's quite ironic, but it's true. I realized the following:

• We should enjoy the time that is given to us by God. We should spend it with the people we love and we should not waste it doing things that will never bring us and the people around us any good.
• We should take care of ourselves. We should value our health more than our work, studies, chores, etcetera.
• We should focus in the present. Forget the past and dream for the future.
• We should not rush ourselves. We should always remember that we live for the present and time will come for our future.
• We should make every moment in our lives worthwhile because we only borrowed it from God and it is really kind of Him to lend it to us.
• We should always remember this: "It is always better to die for something than to live for nothing."

We only have one life, so we better live it well. :)

6 Days

The post title... you might be wondering. Actually, that means that only 6 days are left of my precious vacation. Sad, right? Oh, well... true. It's sad that it's about to end where in reality, I am just beginning to enjoy it. Ironic. Haha! On Friday, June 13, we will finally know our sophomore year families. I'm so excited! I hope this will be a good year for all students. Oh, and, by the way, today, June 10, is first day of classes for some students all over the country. Good luck to them. I hope they met new friends. :)

Also, today is the birthday of my cousin, whom, I have considered as a blood-related sister ever since I first knew how to recognize people:

Happy Birthday, ATE DENILLE!
We wish you all the best! :]

Before I forget, I would also like to greet my "Tatay" who has been always there for me in the first eight years of my life and had passed away half a decade ago:

Happy Birthday, TATAY BEDING!
We miss you so much.

Summer Ends

Once again, the title explains itself. I can't believe that summer is nearing to an end. Actually, I'm just beginning to enjoy it. Aw, that's just too sad. Anyway, as you might probably have guessed, this summer is filled with memories. Thank God I have my handy camcorder with me everywhere I go! :) Oh, come on. Read between the lines! Haha! :]]

That was me. I can't believe I played basketball. Haha! It's not my type of thing but I did so, anyway. My parents were telling me I was good. :p I was more athletic than they have thought. What a nice way to boost your daughter's confidence, right? :))

That was me and my aunt. We dropped by Taal Church after visiting my cousing who gave birth last May... err... I can't remember! :p He was such an angel! Haha! Taal Church is really a nice place. ;)

Now, that's me and our dog, Minie. :)

Now, this is me with my three cousins. As far as my brain tells me, this is, so far, the only photo I have with the four of us together. :p

My cousin's baby! Wonderful, isn't he? The name's Jhune Raphael. :D

This is all that I could post for now. So, until here. :]

Raining

It's raining. The sky couldn't handle the heaviness of the rain anymore, same with me. Got nothing more to say. I'm happy, really. :) :(

These made me cry and smile.

As I was cleaning my room this morning [I know this sounds weird, but, I did so], I saw some pieces of paper at my study table. It has been a couple of months since I last cleaned it. Actually, I never minded the disarray I was making for the last months of school because I didn't really expect to be that busy. I had no time to be Little Miss Organized. I saw three things. First, a recollection letter that my cousin lent me, so that I could read and reflect on it well. Second, an essay I made when I was still in Level 6. Lastly, a story a best friend gave me just last school year. I set aside those so I could finish cleaning first be cause my whole body ached badly. After finishing my work, I immediately jumped to bed and planned to set off to dreamland. As I was about to put my lights off, I saw the three pieces of paper - there, beside my pillows. I went back to bed and read each one. I was so inspired that I planned to post those here. Here goes:

The Flat Tire [the one Von, my cousin gave me]

My tire had a staple in it. Of all times for this to happen - a flat tire. But when is a good time for a flat tire? Not when you are wearing a suit and you have been traveling for nearly five hours and, adding to this bleak picture, nightfall is approaching.

Wait; did I mention that I was on a country road? Okay, now you have the picture. There was only one thing to do: call AAA. Yeah, right. The cell phone I bought for security and protection in moments like this isn't in range to call anyone. "No Service" it says. No kidding!

I sat for a few minutes moaning and complaining. It's a male thing. Then, I began emptying my trunk so that I could get at the tire and tools needed to get the job done. I carry a large plastic container filled with what I call "just-in-case-stuff." When I am training or speaking, I love to have props with me. I hate leaving anything home so I bring everything... just in case.

Cars buzz by me. A few beep sarcastically. I hear the horn saying, "Ha ha!", I say, "You'll get yours!". Darkness begins to settle in. It's becoming a bit difficult to see. The tire is on the passenger side, thank God, away from all the traffic, but making it difficult to benefit from the headlights of the passing cars.

Suddenly, a car pulls off the road behind me. In the blinding light, I see a male figure approaching me. "Hey, do you need any help?", "Well, it certainly isn't easy to doing this with a white dress shirt and suit on," I said. Then he steps into the light. I literally was frightened.

This young guy was dressed in black. Nearly everything imaginable was pierced and tattooed. His hair was cropped and poorly cut. He had leather bracelets with spikes on each wrist. "How about I give you a hand?", he said. "Well, I don't know . . . I think I can . . ." , "Come on, it will only take me a few minutes." He took right over. While watching him, I happened to look back at his car and noticed for the first time someone sitting in the passenger's seat. That concerned me. I suddenly felt outnumbered. Thoughts of car-jackings and robberies flashed through my mind. I really just wanted to get this over with and survive it.

Then, without warning, it began to pour. The night sky had hidden the approaching clouds. It hit like waterfall and made it impossible to finish the tire change. "Look, my friend, just stop what you're doing. I appreciate all your help. You better get going. I'll finish after the rain stops." I said.

"Let me help you put your stuff back in the trunk. They will get ruined," he insisted. "Then, get in my car. We'll wait with you," he insisted. "No really. I'll take care of everything," I said.

"You can't get in the car with the jack up like that. It will fall. Come on. Get in," he said as he grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the car. Crack! Boom! Lightning and thunder roared like a freight train. I literally jumped in his car. "Oh, God, protect me!" I thought to myself.

Wet and tired, I settled into the back seat. Suddenly, a small frail voice came from the front seat of the car. "Are you all right?" she said as she turned around to face me. "Yes, I am," I replied with much relief seeing the old woman there. She must be his Mom.

"My name is Beatrice and this is my neighbor Jeff," she said. "He insisted on stopping when he saw you struggling with the tire." "I am grateful for his help," I said. "Me, too!" she said with a laugh. "Jeff takes me to visit my husband.

We had to place him in a nursing home and it's about 30 minutes away from where we live. So, ebery Monday, Wednesday and Friday, we have a date." She laughed and shook her head.

"We're the remake of the Odd Couple," Jeff said as he joined in laughing.

"Jeff, that's incredible, what you do for her. I would never have guessed, well, ah, you know I . . ." I stumbled with the words.

"I know. People who look like me don't do nice things," he said. Silence. I really felt uncomfortable. I never believed that I judged people by the way they dressed. I was angry with myself for being so stupid.

"Jeff is a great kid. I'm not the only one he helps. He's a volunteer at our church. He also works with the kids in the learning center at the low housing income in our town," said Beatrice.

"I'm a tutor," Jeff said quietly as he stared at my car. Silence again played a part now in a moment of reflection rather than the uncomfortable feeling that I had insulted someone. He was right. What he wore on the outside was a reflection of the world as he saw it. What he wore on the inside was the spirit of giving, caring and loving the world he wanted to see.

The rain stopped and Jeff and I changed the tire. I tried to offer him money and of course, he refused it. As we shook hands, I began to apologize for my stupidity. He said, "I experience that same reflection often. I actually thought about changing the way I look. But the I saw this is an opportunity to make a point. So I'll leave you with the same quaestion I ask everone who takes time to know me:

"If Jesus returned tomorrow and walked amons us again, would you recognize Him by what He wore or by what He did?"

This Made Me Smile [the one Jane,a best friend gave me]

She jumped as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room.

She said: "How is my little boy? Is he going to be all right? When can I see him?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it."

Sally said, "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care anymore? Where were You, God, when my son needed You?"

The surgeon aked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the univeraity."

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said goodbye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

"Would you like a lock of his hair?", the nurse asked.

Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the university for study. He said it might help somebody else. I said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom.'"

She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."

Sally walked out of the Children's Mercy Hospital for the last tim, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house.

She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hairto her son's room.

She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Lying beside her on the bed was a folded piece of paper. The letter said:

"Dear Mom,

I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not around to say "I LOVE YOU". I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with. But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us, boys do. You'lla have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I got here and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything. The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures yet, when I saw him, I knew it was Him. Jesus Himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody important. That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what, Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter. I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the quaestions You asked Him. "Where was He when I needed him?"; God said He was in the same place with me, as when His Son, Jesus was on the cross. He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else, this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now. He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight, I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure, the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you... I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couln't stand the pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either. That's when He sent the Angel of Mercy to come get me. The angel said I was a special delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & me.

Journey of Life [the one I wrote when I was in Level 6]

When I was young, I thought I would live forever. As time passes by, I learned that there will be a time that I will need to leave my family and friends. Days became years, and I continued to learn. I learned to live without a silver spoon in my mouth.

Here I am, still learning, Everyday, I face challenges and I overcome every obstacle in my life. I learned to love life because I only borrowed it from God. In each and every day I face, I put a smile on my face and begin my day with happiness. I learned to be sensitive and sensible so as not to hurt anyone's feelings. I played safe.

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle. At first, you'll be complete. Then, something will impede you and nearly ruin your life. But, one day, someone will find you and help you. That is God.

Lastly, consider yourself as a caterpillar, the leaves, your nourishment, and the cocoon your impediment to become a full-grown butterfly. You will not be a butterfly without the leaves that stand as your food, and without the cocoon that will help you change into a butterfly.

In life, there are no super heroes and villains. Leave it all to God. Everything will turn out right.

The ones marked in bold-style are the lines that touched my heart most. :)

Realization

I'm too tired to type. My mind is not functioning really well. Anyway, I'll still post for the sake of it. Haha! Sharmaine, a classmate, is one of the few people I know who are really fond of searching stuff in the net. At the moment, she had passed me a total of three Word documents, and all contain such wonderful quotes. I have been reading them all along and I realized that some might seem useless, but, subconsciously, they are true. Life's simple. Only the people tend to make it complicated. Another realization, perhaps. I'll never be tired of learning new things. I promise. :)

Insomnia

I lack sleep. My mom and my dad have been telling me that I have been "idolizing" my sister. My answer... "No, it's just I find difficulty in sleeping.". Have I told you? My parents are requiring me to speak to them in English or else they won't acknowledge my presence. Mean, eh? Haha. It's for my own good, actually. It's just embarrassing to speak in English when you're in public. I don't know... it just doesn't sound right! Anyway, as you have seen my post title, insomnia is what I'm suffering. It's when you want to sleep but you just can't. That's weird, though. Here's a scientific explanation:

Insomnia is a sleeping disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep despite the opportunity. It is typically followed by functional impairment while awake. Insomniacs have been known to complain about being unable to close their eyes or "rest their mind" for more than a few minutes at a time. Both organic and non-organic insomnia constitute a sleep disorder.

That was courtesy of: Wikipedia.

Anyway, it's currently 2:36 in the morning and the bed is yet to invite me to a deep slumber.

I miss her.

You might probably be wondering who I am referring to. Actually, you might really wonder why I miss her. She's my sister. Carmina "Boknay [slash] Mina" Castillo-Reyes. It doesn't make sense, right? After reading the rest of this, I bet you'd change your mind. Maybe... or maybe not.

This started when she turned college. Of course, my mom wants quality education for her that's why they want her to study in Manila. I think I was Level 6 back then. I can't remember quite much. All I can remember as far as my memory tells me is that... things have changed. I rarely see her, although it's vacation, or weekend, she can't go home because she's too busy to have time for me unlike the previous years when she still finds adequate time to spend with me and our brother although she has tons of stuff to do. We rarely speak now. Sometimes, she's online, and I am too. But, I guess both of us are too busy to speak to each other. I often see that "Busy" status message of hers and it just tells me not to bother her. I admit, I, too, am busy often if I go online on YM because of projects, assignments, long tests, exams and the like.

She went home. In spite of all the commitments she has in her school. From time to time, she goes there. You probably think that things have been better since she got home. You know? NO. A big NO. Now that she's home, could you believe it? We still don't see each other although our rooms are just across each other. That's just overboard. You may ask why... the answer is simple. SHE DOES NOT GO OUT OF HER ROOM. Even to eat, someone brings food to her upstairs. Uh, I guess I can do nothing about it...


...but to miss her. Miss her. Miss her.

It's raining.

The title is... uh? Self-explanatory? Well, it really is raining. Guess what? Pouring REALLY hard. I know what you're thinking subconsciously. It's raining though it's summer time. Scientific explanation, please. All right. Don't you know? or maybe you're just pretending not to know. The world is suffering Global Warming. How uncool is that? I just realized something. Something really important and urgent. Alone in the shower, cold water sprinkling on my face, I thought about... making a step. Taking chances wouldn't hurt, right? What if I start a campaign to take care of nature? That wouldn't cost me much effort having lost of e-mail addresses. Look, forests have been depleting, animals dying, plants drying, seas inhabited. Ordinary people who are uptight may have not noticed this but I know may people out there do, although they refuse to know the sad truth. Worse, some people refuse to respond to the environment. I mean, isn't this too much? Mother Nature has been providing us every necessity we should acquire in order to survive but... what are we doing? Abusing it. Killing it. Is this our way of gratitude? I have been watching late-night television shows lately [that's because I can't sleep] and I have noticed that they have been featuring documentaries about how dirty our environment is. Something inside me tells me that this is just too much already. Someone has got to do something. Some people might think I'm some kind of a stupid person here talking about taking care of Mother Nature... so on and so forth. I'm not doing this for my good only. If only all people has concern for the place we live in, we should have been living peacefully for a long time already. If you have been watching news [any channel, I guess] you should have been hearing lots of crises about food shortage, horrible calamities, etcetera. If you are wondering who's to blame, well, you know... It's US. Nature is just having it's own way of getting even to us for slowly killing it. See what I mean? We are the losers either way around. If only people know how to take care of Mother Earth... it must be a really happy place to live in. I know... sad but true. If we don't make any steps to stop this now, tell me, when? Can all of us afford to lose property, houses, food, or worse... lives? Life must really be harmonious during our past generations' time because people back then know how to value nature. I just wish people now would realize things for everybody's good... One more thing, please, let us support campaigns against Global Warming. Please conserve water and energy. Time will come that there will be no more... completely none. Will we still wait for that to happen? Please, no... no. There's still time, join me. Let us make the world a better place to live in.

It's actually good I let this out. It has really been bothering me for days. *sigh* Good luck to me and to my sincere desire to change the world. I know I've got my family's back on me, and my friends' too. :)

"Big changes come from small people who take the risk." -- Christopher Jan Lina [my classmate last school year] :)

Clarisa Reyes

What Clarisa Reyes Means

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start. You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

I was actually browsing through the net when I saw this. I actually liked it! Haha! Is this magic? Actually, this description fits me, PERFECTLY, EXACTLY, PRECISELY. Oh well. I'm too happy to speak. ^_^

Happiness comes in three's.

I am too happy. Haha. Weird, yet, I am. Oh well. Let's have a flashback.

Last Wednesday, April 16, my family and I went to Robinsons. Well, except for my brother, who would always stay at home or play basketball. So, my mom, my dad, my sister and I were together there. Mommy told Daddy to meet us there in the supermarket. Well, before going to the supermarket, we went to different stores first. I was following them all along. The bad thing about this is that I am wearing a skirt and my shoelaces keep on untying themselves! Argh! It was so... freaking annoying! I think my mother sensed that I wasn't really having a good time in the supermarket because she asked my sister to accompany me outside so that I could buy things for myself. Of course, she gave me money. Haha. We went to Astrovision and bought a couple of movies. My sister bought Parent Trap [Yep, the one starring Lindsay Lohan. It's her all-time favorite. WEIRD.] and another one which I didn't bother to look at. As for me, I bought Step Up, a movie about dancing. I hated dancing, though. My friends just keep on bugging me about how good it is. By the way, Step Up 2, it's sequel is out in the movies, now. I bet it's good, too. Watch it. :) I bought Dunston Checks In, too. It's a good family movie. :) After that, we went to another store and I forgot what my sister bought there. After that, we went back to the supermarket. My sister was looking for my parents but couldn't find them. I saw them and walked to them, leaving my sister behind. Haha, mean of me, I know! Hihi. I was just getting even, she refused to treat me a Zagu. :p My friends keep on teasing me of having good eyesight. Haha! =)) After that, I asked my parents if I could buy Zagu and they allowed me. Not only that, but gave me money, too. ^_^ I bought a watermelon-flavored one. That's it. We went home. I had so much fun that day. It has been a long time since I last went to the mall with my parents and my sister.

Last Thursday, it was a HOOOOOOOOOOOT day. Haha. Mataasnakahoy had a power shortage. :( So sad. Anyway, I woke up at 7:43 in the morning but refused to leave bed. It was one of those days I just couldn't leave my pillows and mattresses. I can be lazy too, you know. Haha, we went to the mall [SM] that day too. It was so fun! We bonded, my family and I. It was one of the best days in my life although I didn't show it. ;)

Yesterday, it was a Friday, I woke up late, but dressed too fast and ate too fast. I was too excited to go to Robinsons [Again? I know. :P] because I was meeting my best friend from UP Rural High School in Los Baños. Her name - Mary Grace, Iyay, MG. :p Haha! I missed her. When I last saw her, it was probably June of last year. She's tall now. :P I'm just a few inches taller than her. T.T Haha! Anyway, I missed her dad, too, Tito Danny. All day, we just played IN THE GROOVE in Timezone, DANCE FREAKS and the car racing game. She's still good in ITG even though it has been too long since she last played. I miss the old times when we used to stay there until evening 'cause we can't manage to finish songs without being depleted. Haha! At about 7:30 in the evening, we went to Air Base in Sico [Correct me if I'm wrong.] because her dad would be meeting us there. They brought me home. We ate there and my parents and her dad talked and talked. We never noticed that it was too late already. [They have to go home to Laguna Bay.] Far, right? She gave me application forms to UP so I could take the exam and study there. You know, I passed there last year, I just refused to study there because I was not ready to venture in a new environment just yet. Anyway, I accompanied them outside where they parked their car and I went inside, with a smile painted on my face. :)

The title? Happiness comes in three's. Look, I had three days of overwhelming happiness. I couldn't ask for more. :)

Speechless

As of now, I have been staring at the monitor for way too long. I have nothing to say. My fingers refuse to type. I just read [past tense, just so you're not misguided] my sister's blog. I also came upon the idea of why I'm blogging. Face reality. Why?

Actually, we have the same reason. This is where I put the significant events that happened to me and those that I never want to be erased from my memory. Here goes, I don't trust my memory, too. I guess I'll continue as long as I know this hobby does not affect my duties and responsibilities. So far, this doesn't hinder me that much. I guess I'll be a fellow blogger for long. :)

Loving the thesaurus.

Actually, I love it very much [referring to the THESAURUS]. Today, I learned lots of new words. When I say lots, I mean it. LOTS. Actually, I've been focusing in one word. You know what it is? IRRITATED. Would you like it if I use it in a sentence? Here goes... I am VERY irritated. I am, I am, I am! Please don't ask why. Well, I, myself, don't know, too, as a matter of fact. I am just irritated. Sounds dumb, right? Well, if you knew my reason, maybe your tops would be blowing off, too.

I'm just really IRRITATED! Oh. I want to stop using that word. It doesn't really sound good. Err?

I'll give you a piece of what I learned from the thesaurus. I, now, have a lot of things to mention except for that one, OVERUSED word.

Affronted [I like this one.]. Annoyed [This one's too common.]. Antagonized [Sounds morbid.]. Bitter [Bitter gourd? Haha! This is ampalaya in our vernacular, fellow Filipinos.]. Chafed [Sounds like food. Haha!]. Choleric [Sickness, eh? Haha!]. Convulsed [This one's funny!]. Cross. [Way too familiar.]. Displeased [I am, right now.]. Enraged [Knew this well.]. Exacerbated [It's like 'killed', haha, oh well.]. Exasperated [Personally, I thought this meant 'tired'.]. Ferocious [Get out of the way! I-would-eat-you word of the day. Haha!]. Fierce [Sound too 'animalistic'. No offense!]. Fiery [Fire in the hole! Haha!]. Fuming [Familiar.]. Furious [Yup, I am.]. Galled [I'm missing Sir Gally.]. Hateful [Not really, I guess.]. Heated [Of course, it's SUMMER! Kidding!]. Hot [Whaaat?! Haha!]. Huffy [I've got to admit, this one's cute!]. Ill-tempered [I am, with all due respect. LOL!]. Impassioned [What is this?!]. Incensed [Is this the smoke-like thing?]. Indignant [Sounds like digging. Haha!]. Inflamed [Wait, does this mean I'm in flames? Haha!]. Infuriated [This one's nice.]. Irascible [I like this one, too.]. Irate [This one's too short. *laughs*]. Irritable [Perfect word to describe me, NOW.]. Maddened [x(]. Nettled [This one's too tongue-tying. Hey, is there such a word?]. Offended [Surely.]. Outraged [~x(]. Passionate [Hey, a while ago, there's an 'impassioned', now there's PASSIONATE?! Haha! Ironic.]. Piqued [My personal favorite! Hihi!]. Provoked [I am, so much!! :|]. Raging [RED!]. Resentful [I ONLY resent people who are not worthy of me.]. Riled [Too short.]. Sore [It's painful. IT ACHES.]. Splenetic [It rhymes with 'LUNATIC'!! Haha!]. Storming [I'll be. Haha! Kidding!]. Sulky [Sort of!]. Sullen [Argh! I didn't know this word has too many synonyms! Haha!]. Tumultuous [So many U's! Haha!]. Turbulent [Sounds morbid, too!]. Uptight [Well, not really.]. Vexed [Too short, AGAIN!]. Wrathful [Haha! Sounds like 'fighting'. LOL!].

That's all there is. The source, anyway, is http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/irritated. Haha!

Thanks to the Thesaurus, I feel much better now. :)

Summer Breeze

It's currently 11:31 pm in the computer's clock and as usual, I have been showing no signs of tiresomeness, sleepiness or whatsoever. Haha.

Yesterday, we've been to Tita Marlyn's place in Malvar. We slept there. We had SO MUCH fun! We did a lot of things. We sang, we swam, we played. Of course, we enjoyed. It was really relaxing there. It was really good for me to relax and have peace of mind amidst the tension and pressure that I carry on my back these past few weeks. We stayed there until this afternoon. All day, I was bugging Tita Marlyn about giving me a prize for being a gold medalist. [I played hard, really hard, this year.] Haha! She told me she will, tomorrow. Haha! I'm so excited. [Tita Marlyn gives the best prizes.] :)

Okay, so, now, I am currently having MIXED emotions about tomorrow's event. I really don't mind telling you. Tomorrow will be the Honors' Assembly Day. I forgot to mention, we had our Card Giving last April 10. Anyway, tomorrow will be the big day. I'm sad, excited, scared, nervous, and REALLY HAPPY. I'll see a couple of my friends tomorrow. I can't wait to see and hug all of them! We all did great and I'm really proud of all of us! I'm happy because all the hard work will bear fruit tomorrow. I had been suffering for a ten-month span of time handling all problems, obstacles, and hardships co-related to schooling or if ever - personal. Haha! Kidding. Anyway, this is actually true - without the exaggeration. :P I had been struggling to attain whatever I have in my mind - to be a gold medalist for this school year. I can say that I really worked hard for it. I sacrificed a lot, but, on the rough road, I have learned too much. I'm really happy, not only for myself - furthermore, for my classmates and friends; for their hard work is now reaping for their rightful rewards. I'm also sad. This might be kind of weird but, I'm sad, because I'd be leaving behind my JLC years and move on to SLC life. It would be really harder, I guess. Not only that, but, I do think that tomorrow will be the last day I'll be wearing my Level 7 uniform. I'll never forget all my memories with it. :( I'm excited, too. You know why? It is because I know that tomorrow will be a really great day for me and for others because after months of hard time, we'll actually leave behind everything and relax for the summer. :) As for that, I'm also scared and nervous. Oh well, I know tomorrow will be great but I can't help to feel a bit spice of tension. What if I trip and fall over with all the people seeing me? The thought of it sends shivers to my spines! On second thought, I'm thinking how can I be that embarassed? Come on, Clarisa! You have been doing this for almost a decade, where could it go wrong? I'm just crossing my fingers that everything will be as it should be tomorrow.

The title, might be, on your part, too far from the body of my message. So now, I would politely and clearly explain it. I've been bored and I want to do new things. So guys, if ever you stumble upon my blog and read this, do you know far get-aways that wouldn't cost that much? I can feel the breeze of summer!

Now, I think, I'm HAPPY but I can never deny the fact that the pain, aches, and tears will be my companions until I breathe my last.