tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36349748585866699732024-03-18T20:06:28.675-07:00Thoughts and Ideas of an Honor StudentI am Adrian Astorga and I am only amongst the thousands of students out there who aspire to be in the honor roll. My blog is all about everything that I feel is relevant to my life as a student, a citizen of my country, and anything that defines me or any of my interests. I hope you enjoy my blog. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-15930645097889885622014-01-05T04:10:00.000-08:002014-01-05T04:14:35.710-08:00Hope for our old games<div class="MsoNormal">
I woke up to the sounds of rowdy children outside. The noise
of a sardine can being turned-over again and again was echoing in<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3634974858586669973" name="_GoBack"></a> my ear. <i>Clank. Clank.
Clank. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Through the window I saw little children playing <i>TumbangPreso</i>(a Filipino traditional game
where the goal is to hit a can using slippers). As much as I was agitated for
therude awakening, a stunning realization came over me.</div>
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With the advent of modern entertainment, indigenous games
are slowly dying. Children nowadays prefer playing on computers rather than go
outside. Although there is nothing wrong with playing computer games, playing
them at the price of forgetting our own heritage isn’t good. </div>
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<h2>
Identity and memories</h2>
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Our old games are more than just games. They speak of a
culture developed centuries ago. Indigenous games are also imbedded with the
Philippine identity. Every country has their own repertoire of games. <i>Tumbangpreso</i>and<i>Patintero</i> (a local version of tag) are only but a few of native
games that is purely Filipino. </div>
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As trivial as they might seem, games unite the Filipinos to
one memory. With games every grown Filipino is reminded of a cherished chapter
in their lives—childhood. </div>
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The sight of children playing, brings us back to simpler
times, when cans and bare hands were enough to keep us occupied for hours.
Because of our indigenous games, we can go through a time machine and become
enveloped with a myriad of sensations: the crisp cool air touching </div>
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our face;
the sweet chattering of our friends arguing over the rules; and the beautiful
sunset looming over the horizon reminding us to enjoy the last minutes of
playtime before mom calls us home for the 6 o’clock rosary.<br />
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<h2>
A mark of Philippine resourcefulness
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Only in the Philippines will you find children playing with
old cans. Most ethnic games do not require fancy gears like gaming consoles and
computers. For a Filipino child, things found in nooks and crannies can become
makeshift toys. A tree branch can become a wooden sword. A two-way radio can
even be made by only attaching two cups with a wire. If left with no materials,
the children rely on their biggest tool—their minds. Suddenly, the streets turn
into forests and the houses transform to become castles. For the Filipino
children, their ingenuity lie not in their improvised toys but in their
colorful imagination. </div>
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<h2>
Building stronger bonds</h2>
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Surprisingly, our daily trips outside brought the entire
neighborhood closer. <i>Kumpadres</i>and <i>kumares</i> laugh at the thought of the
past. They vividly remember every game they played, occasionally chuckling at
the memory of them crying over losing a round of <i>Patintero</i>. Fast forward 20 years, those little children are still
friends. </div>
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Perhaps our local games developed one defining Filipino
trait—friendliness. </div>
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Since our games we’re interactive, you needed to develop <i>people </i>skills in order for fights to be
avoided. This ability to compromise led Filipinos to be adaptive even to the
most volatile of situations.</div>
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The contentment with hanging out with friends have instilled
in us a high value for friendship over material things. Our shared past made
the community stronger because we grew up together and still live near each
other. This is the reason why Filipinos rarely have <i>awkward </i>moments with old friends because of the strong bonds
developed through the years. </div>
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<h3>
The rise of social media</h3>
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Even if social media keeps old friends close, the current
generation has grown too lazy to go outside and have a chat. They much prefer
interacting in the virtual words of Facebook and Twitter. Ironically, some
teens send text messages to the person beside them! The Philippines is the most
active in social networks and it’s obvious that the value of personally talking
to someone has diminished. </div>
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<h2>
Echoes of the past </h2>
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Let’s not wait until we’ll only see these games in a
documentary, soon to be archived and then forgotten. The different Philippine
native games are only ours to keep and there is no one else to blame if we are
to lose them. They are part of our identity, childhood and everything that
makes us Filipinos. </div>
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The most valuable of things aren’t touched, they are
remembered. This dying tradition is priceless for if we lost it, we lost it
completely. </div>
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It’s nine o’clock in the evening as I write this. Still, the
children aren’t tired form playing. The constant ‘clank’ from the sardine can
still echoes in my ear. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7H2MdlDUR7AgvSxi-GFe4bkfZ082YTuSVRjmM71IHVHQqIlmAd5SW_70xnFOCofSgCRGCUGXx7N7XB2C4Wgri73oAQ3NLYYEtOu-4t7X5BAnq_TinqDc3oyBmIaE_kSmMYfEYEsiK0jK/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx7H2MdlDUR7AgvSxi-GFe4bkfZ082YTuSVRjmM71IHVHQqIlmAd5SW_70xnFOCofSgCRGCUGXx7N7XB2C4Wgri73oAQ3NLYYEtOu-4t7X5BAnq_TinqDc3oyBmIaE_kSmMYfEYEsiK0jK/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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But instead of going outside and get mad at them, I let it
be. If being pestered by their noise is what it takes to keep out traditions
alive, so be it. After all, they’ll only experience childhood once, they might
as well enjoy it while it lasts. </div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-83853649619871116102013-12-21T04:52:00.000-08:002013-12-21T04:52:18.109-08:00Today the world ends<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><br /></div>
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Today marks a year after 12/21/12, a prophesized date that
was believed to be the expiration of the world. A lot happened in a few years
prior to that. Our reaction to the coming doomsday speaks a lot about our
understanding of beginnings and, most especially, endings. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuaHYefWZY86CIE1xPqZb7-p_7rfs0EXi2c4gtLcdamZzmEjw9X5STAS9_WAHp_8ODCiBX_F7kJOOcJq3NLX-nTaqqv3G2NscoenAZP_oz2_4DebNmiETxym8LEKCm60faKvEhc52oSeD/s1600/faces-of-doom-doomsday-destruction-31242488-1440-900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuaHYefWZY86CIE1xPqZb7-p_7rfs0EXi2c4gtLcdamZzmEjw9X5STAS9_WAHp_8ODCiBX_F7kJOOcJq3NLX-nTaqqv3G2NscoenAZP_oz2_4DebNmiETxym8LEKCm60faKvEhc52oSeD/s400/faces-of-doom-doomsday-destruction-31242488-1440-900.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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2012 received a lot of hype when a film about it was
produced in 2009. Everyone had their own way of preparing for that fateful
December day. Even if you didn't believe, admit it, you still had a few
thoughts. You asked yourself what would happen in those last fleeting moments
of your life. A sense of curiosity was all around us. We question the validity
of such an event, but we also imagine a world where <b>it </b>did happen. </div>
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There were numerous theories behind doomsday. Some theorized
a shift of the north and south pole. </div>
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Another speculated that in 2012 we were
long overdue for another Yellowstone eruption or a meteor strike. Even if NASA
discredited these conspiracy theories, people still weren't sure they were safe
because the date might not be right but the possibility is definitely there.
It’s just a matter of time.</div>
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Some people spiritually prepared themselves by praying hard
or going to pilgrimages. Others took it to the next level, a group of people
called <b>Doomsday Preppers </b>thought of
radical ways to survive Armageddon. </div>
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It was January 2012, and people were now feeling the pressure
of how short time is going by. Suddenly everything mattered. People now began
reflecting on their lives. They recalled all the glories and follies they ever
did. </div>
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One of the few things good about 2012 was how it changed
people’s relationships. Some took the chance to make-up with old enemies.
Classmates hugged each other in a Christmas party and gave forgiveness. While
others admitted grievances to one another. Although skeptical, it wouldn’t hurt
to get a few things off your chest before the year ends. </div>
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12/21/12 <i>came</i>….and
<b><i>went</i></b>.
It was just a normal day. We all woke up, grabbed breakfast and did our
routine. Nothing unusual about it except
for a few waiting for Yellowstone to erupt or a meteor to come crashing down
and ending all our lives. The sun rose in the east and as the moon came, it
became more and more apparent that 2012 was just a hoax. Nostradamus was wrong.
</div>
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As the moon rose brightly on that Friday night, a sigh of
relief escaped our mouths. A realization strikes us: we still had another year
to live. </div>
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Then Christmas came a few days after. The yuletide spirit
caught us all away. 6 days later we celebrated the new year with a bang. And
the idea of doomsday went away as we switched our calendar to 2013. </div>
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Yet on this day, 12/21/12 still remains in our lives. We
didn’t die but 2012 gave us a new perspective about life. </div>
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Every day is a race. Time is against you. Life is a race.
The moments are counting down and every action you take is using up time. </div>
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We all have dreams. Yet life is too short to just dream. We
live for a purpose and we should spend time reaching that. The moment the sun
rises, the moment we wake up, we must already have a plan ahead for the day and
accomplish it.</div>
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Doomsday or not, live every single second of your life like
it is your last. Never take for granted every day given to you. A lot of people
have regrets and will do everything to be alive again. This moment is yours,
take it. Do everything the best you can. </div>
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Our lives might be just an illusion or it might be reality.
But once we cross over, our existence vanishes. YOLO is wrong. For you live a
life every day, but only die once. And once you die you can never <b>be </b>yourself again.</div>
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Every life is a blessing. It’s up to you to make the most of
it.</div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADua4h8hoU7L_Ozz0NJMNUFbOd4QnFQal5G3FLmCmwKitqVwOBjs-HIquiAnGaBphNEOni2hW_j7WmlIG9knDFswiXo6jeGGT-k1a-8O748kBFMPxDIUBvdnWVeJ9ISIg482WRccJSwU8/s1600/CarpeDiem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjADua4h8hoU7L_Ozz0NJMNUFbOd4QnFQal5G3FLmCmwKitqVwOBjs-HIquiAnGaBphNEOni2hW_j7WmlIG9knDFswiXo6jeGGT-k1a-8O748kBFMPxDIUBvdnWVeJ9ISIg482WRccJSwU8/s320/CarpeDiem.jpg" width="320" /></a>Love like there is no other.<br />Live like there’s no other day.<br />And learn like there is so much to learn. </blockquote>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Carpe diem!
</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br />
<b>Seize the day!<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">How did you spend your 12.21.12? I'd like to hear from you! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-65924635189539260442013-11-24T04:24:00.000-08:002013-11-24T04:24:00.162-08:00Who’s the real Devil?<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZofJy0gf62e7KBnB7i56WHvoyKrb0WiA75jfbUqb97X8O1gUMxh8uibCODUOZK0TiFZwbsVepVHlvblsElsx38q_WGK_MyRgRjCllk6HZWX1nYBZqEGPNLPrjzxX7y1znnE9VSjeiN_k/s1600/461px-ParadiseLButts1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVZofJy0gf62e7KBnB7i56WHvoyKrb0WiA75jfbUqb97X8O1gUMxh8uibCODUOZK0TiFZwbsVepVHlvblsElsx38q_WGK_MyRgRjCllk6HZWX1nYBZqEGPNLPrjzxX7y1znnE9VSjeiN_k/s320/461px-ParadiseLButts1.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo taken from en.wikipedia.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Cruel. Deceitful. Gruesome. The ultimate antagonist. The personification of
evil. Evil. One word. Devil.</div>
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<h3>
<b>Good and evil</b></h3>
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Humans have always viewed the universe in two ways: Good and
Evil. Conflicting concepts ever locked in battle. </div>
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Every good story must not only have a happy ending but also
a worthy antagonist. One that will simply make the hero’s life a living hell.
Whose ultimate defeat- death- will serve right. The fall must be spectacular, </div>
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bloody and merciless. </div>
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Yet the greatest of evil is a monster. An abomination of a
thousand forms and names. Ever since there was good, it was there. The devil,
the anti-thesis of humanity. </div>
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The devil has been blamed for all the evil there is. When
Hitler killed millions of Jews, it was believed that he must’ve been the devil.
When Judas kissed Jesus and sealed his fate, the Devil possessed him. When
Brutus stabbed Caesar it must’ve been the Demon’s work.</div>
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Every human culture must’ve had a dark figure in their
faith. A harbinger of chaos and despair. But isn’t it unfair that the demon is
the causality of every atrocity there is. The devil was once the bringer of the
dawn, it fell from grace when he disobeyed. It was casted to the deepest depths
of the earth- hell. </div>
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It must feel bad being eternally damned and getting blamed
for everything. In the end a deep question remains: is there a demon to begin
with?</div>
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<h3>
<b>Real or Fantasy </b></h3>
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It’s an irony that humans get all the credit for the marvels
they make. Creations like the pyramids are testaments to our ingenuity. </div>
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But what about the tragedies of our history? Every single
war, every life lost to the inquisition, the holocaust, 9/11? We stop, stay
quiet. “It wasn’t us,” is what we can mutter. </div>
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Is the concept of a demon real or simply a figment of our
minds? It’s human nature to point the finger at someone else when it should be
at us. The truth is, the reason why we play the blame game for so long is that
we can’t accept the probability that it might be our own fault. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The worst part is, it’s not just a probability but a truth
we are at fault and it’s quite obvious. How we keep on passing the blame is
surprising. Humans have been like this since we began. Since Eve blamed the
serpent for eating the fruit of knowledge.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<h3>
<b>Mirrors and
Reflections</b></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Over and over, devils and demons. Never ending, but where is
it? The antagonist of humanity has been <br />
around for millennia. We’ve even given
it a name. Even more so a description. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I stare at a medieval painting of a demon. Two arms, legs.
Chest. Walks upright. It has a likeness to it. The face is so familiar. It has
ears on either side of its face. A mouth that’s blood red. It even has a bush
of hair on top. Its face is contemplative. Different emotions could have
channeled through its face. But I can get over its eyes. So deep and dark. It
pierces myself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I look away. All this about evil forces is getting on my
nerves. I get up and go to the washroom. Water splashes on my face. I get the
towel and dry myself. As I look up, I face a mirror. And on the other side of
the mirror I see the greatest revelation of my life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfuj2LB9ia2_qGOZzW8B6CRORqahyphenhypheniRwMX-XU8bmPlL4mA3xg8yMz80-VZjEgqEhR4VNeltv58Ak-dyAhHM58IrY_z4k7vklqX5PXHoG5nIPHh_aQR0WfatEPUnwAnd55w7M7wbD2bktF/s1600/sleepy-hollow-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfuj2LB9ia2_qGOZzW8B6CRORqahyphenhypheniRwMX-XU8bmPlL4mA3xg8yMz80-VZjEgqEhR4VNeltv58Ak-dyAhHM58IrY_z4k7vklqX5PXHoG5nIPHh_aQR0WfatEPUnwAnd55w7M7wbD2bktF/s320/sleepy-hollow-18.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken from <a href="http://popwatch.ew.com/">http://popwatch.ew.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Who’s the real devil? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think I just found the answer.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-20231408348466138802013-07-26T07:55:00.001-07:002013-07-26T07:55:58.110-07:00Growing up too fast<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE98Z5EYcBjYrLZfY4SpDSNCJnMAeypx4wjRR5de1ZJ0HkdnvN7z9bjF3tjATG_xzyx6_uACP56jLNpbUo-WqwaaA6oQZwSIECT-2RSbEpbFr4_87OzBghhm8sp-yfK_UDOZMhTNFgyNk/s1600/act+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTE98Z5EYcBjYrLZfY4SpDSNCJnMAeypx4wjRR5de1ZJ0HkdnvN7z9bjF3tjATG_xzyx6_uACP56jLNpbUo-WqwaaA6oQZwSIECT-2RSbEpbFr4_87OzBghhm8sp-yfK_UDOZMhTNFgyNk/s320/act+love.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love Lust Faith Dreams</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 2.0pt 0in;">
<div class="underline">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="PadderBetweenControlandBody">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another year is closing on me as I celebrate my birthday. I
come to a realization that I’ve been acting way older for my age. Perhaps it
would be a fine time to slow down and enjoy my youth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve heard many times before about people wishing to go back
to the ‘glory days’ of youth. The look on their faces shows reluctance.
Sometimes, I focus too much on who I want to be, without taking notice of who I
am now. I get so frustrated about the limitations of being my age, not aware of
how overwhelming it is in the real world. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s crazy how when I was in grade school I wanted so bad to
start highschool, and when I was a senior I was itching to become a college
student. And now in my tertiary level of education, I’m dying to gain
independence and go on working. My Algebra teacher told me that the moment you
become an employee, you’ll miss the student life. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sometimes, I get all cocky inside thinking of how much I
could change the world around me. But kind-to-think of it, the change within me
hasn’t come to an end yet. In short, I’m still not ready. I shouldn’t think
about all of the problems of the country that much yet, I should look out for
myself first.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t turn back time to get myself to think younger, but
the best I can do is to start <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now.</i>
It’s fun to be young, sure there are rules, but there aren’t that much
obligations to deal with. The vitality that we posses, our life, is brightly
glowing. Though we have the occasional pimples, I still don’t have wrinkles or
a balding head to worry about. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One such thing that is synonymous with youth, is the
sweetness of the eternal feeling of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love.
</i>I used to say, “I love you, and I will marry you.” Chessy right? Though
treating your partner like someone you would marry, I find myself not ready to
think about those. Yes love is delightful, yet I’m not at that age yet to take <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too </i>seriously.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<w:sdt contentlocked="t" id="89512093" sdtgroup="t"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdt docpart="ABD5720381244953B5CCC7E0682ECD97" id="89512082" storeitemid="X_147BE777-BAD9-4528-9D13-140C348D5C91" text="t" title="Post Title" xpath="/ns0:BlogPostInfo/ns0:PostTitle"></w:sdt></span>
</w:sdt>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I should have fun. Enjoy my life. I ought to avoid
overburdening myself with problems that aren’t there in the first place! After
all, we are only young once in our lives. I am growing up way too fast, time to
take a breather, and live like I should—like my age. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-38887908145481833252013-07-15T17:04:00.000-07:002013-07-15T17:04:02.663-07:00No time for blogging<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The frequency of my blogposts only shows the obvious, I do
not have time for blogging anymore. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://homes.bio.psu.edu/people/faculty/bshapiro/spiral-clock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://homes.bio.psu.edu/people/faculty/bshapiro/spiral-clock.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from homes.bio.psu.edu</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>College has taken so much of my time, though I only have
class for five hours. The moment I get home no longer do I write my thoughts, I
eat then I’m off to bed. The varieties of the topics I could be writing only
frustrates me even more! There is so much to write yet so little time! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ever since I entered college I’ve been exposed to so much.
Events, opinions, my college life, things that I could have made a story out
of. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love blogging, it helps me give an avenue for my thoughts.
However, time is scarce resource.
Prioritizing my time leaves blogging somewhere in the bottom of the list.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a lot of things I have to worry about. My studies
which have to take care of or else I will lose my scholarship. My lovelife that
needs big amounts of time and effort to maintain. And even my social life, I
have to reconnect and keep myself updated too you know! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve been itching to get time for writing and I’m really
glad to have found some. Perhaps I could dedicate a little of my time to
blogging at least once a week. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whenever I login I face a backlog of posts from my close
blogger friends, Rayoona, Lance, Teo, and Morgan. I haven’t had the time to
keep tabs on their posts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For certain, I’m not alone in my situation. Most bloggers
are teens, who have to study, some even work! And for these people I have a
piece of advice. Make a mental note of what happens day by day, and then if
you’re lucky you can blog about it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You can’t tell how excited I am to catch up with the
blogospehere. But until then I have to get back to studying. See you guys soon! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-68741410057818148202013-06-28T22:42:00.002-07:002013-06-28T22:46:37.660-07:00P 18,000 isn't enough<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/h/opinion.inquirer.net/files/2013/06/340x214xEditorial-cartoon-06272013.jpg.pagespeed.ic.5C6ENfz_H5.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="401" src="http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/h/opinion.inquirer.net/files/2013/06/340x214xEditorial-cartoon-06272013.jpg.pagespeed.ic.5C6ENfz_H5.webp" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Editorial cartoon is credited to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 26, 2013 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Recently the governemennt plans to give a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) amounting to P18,000 to every family living near esteros. This is in order for them to move out of the squatters area and rent an apartment in the city. The goals of the CCT are relevant: for the safety of the squatters and to help the government solve the squatting issue that has taken them so long to accomplish. However, 18K isn't enough to solve these problems.<br />
<br />
Financially speaking, 18,000 pesos cannot cover the family for a year to rent an apartment. Here in Tondo Manila, a small two-floor apartment that my family owns, costs around P7000 per month to rent. The CCT is barely enough for three months! And we are talking about a small apartment. Considering that most estero families consist of six members, they can't possibly fit in a small apartment. With the money the are given, they've no choice but to rent a substandard apartment to get the most out of the 18K.<br />
<br />
There is also no certainty that the entirety of the CCT will be actually used in finding a suitable home. Other than shelter, food and water are also vital needs. With the small income estero families earn, it come to no surprise that the moment they receive the 18k subsidy they'll spend it not in apartments but for food. Therefore not fulfilling the goal of the CCT.<br />
<br />
If the P18K CCT is not enough to rent a suitable home and that it isn't really used for its real purpose. They'll still end up in the esteros once again, one way or another.<br />
<br />
We need to invest in a long-term solution. Building houses will help but won't completely solve the squatting issue. The government also need to provide stable employment for these families so they won't rely anymore on government aid. Failure to give jobs to these families led to the failure of the Arroyo Administration to solve this issue, this is why the problem still persists.<br />
<br />
The CCT doesn't solve the squatting issue. This is just a quick-fix, eventually the dilemma will spring back,. A permanent solution is required. The squatters need houses and employment, not P18,000. Because 18K isn't enough.<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" style="color: #75a5d1; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-7735321494650389422013-06-24T06:33:00.001-07:002013-06-24T06:33:31.191-07:00The greatest victim of bullying <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="margin-left: 13.5pt; width: 104%px;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 259.25pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="height: 259.25pt; padding: 0in 0in 0in 0in; width: 100.0%;" width="100%"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">bul·ly·ing </span></b><span style="color: #7f261c; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[b</span><span style="color: #7f261c; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">llee</span><span style="color: #7f261c; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> ing]</span><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<i><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">noun</span></i><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 652px;"><tbody>
<tr style="height: 22.15pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"><td style="height: 22.15pt; padding: 0in 0in 7.5pt 0in;" valign="top"></td><td style="height: 22.15pt; padding: 0in 0in 7.5pt 1.0pt;" valign="top"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">intimidation of weaker person: </span></b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the process of intimidating or mistreating somebody weaker
or in a more vulnerable situation</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Microsoft® Encarta® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation.
All rights reserved.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn2.kimkcdn.celebuzz.com/files/2012/02/Kim-Kardashian-Keep-Calm-Stop-Bullying-Website-491x574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn2.kimkcdn.celebuzz.com/files/2012/02/Kim-Kardashian-Keep-Calm-Stop-Bullying-Website-491x574.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cdn2.kimkcdn.celebuzz.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bullying stands out as a global problem, especially to the
youth. It has victimized millions. And the need to solve and address this is
imminent. If the bully is the one who is <i>bullying,</i>
then does it follow that we should prosecute the bully? Should we corporately
punish, expel, suspend, and to a great extent, send bullies to jail? No, a clear no, we should not do these. Not
known by many, the greatest victims of bullying are the bullies <i>themselves.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The bullies are not at fault for becoming the person they are.
There are several factors that come into play, the media, the social
upbringing, peers. These all play a part. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Notice that the media in a variety of forms, either movies, TV
shows, novels, and even video games, take <i>violence
</i>as a part of society. Violence in the form of action movies like the
Bourne Legacy, Wrestling shows like WWE and video games like Halo, and the
Warriors. In fact, they don’t just accept violence, they revere it. Only in
these times have bringing a gun, joining gangs, and beating people to a pulp
have never been so cool! And at the flick of the remote, access to these
contents can easily get into the minds of the youth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 12.0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another thing that makes the media even more powerful is the
parents who do not guide or supervise their children. The parents should be
able to teach their children the borders between right and wrong. How a child
is brought up to this world defines his personality. So if the media is not
at fault, then maybe this person, whom we call the <i>bully </i>didn’t have a great childhood. Maybe he was neglected,
perhaps he was beaten, and maybe just maybe he never felt <i>loved</i> or affection. It’s no surprise
that because the bullies doesn’t feel good about themselves that their
thoughts about themselves are so low, that in order to gain happiness,
satisfaction and pleasure, they have the need to degrade others lower t</span><span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">han
they are.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #424242; font-family: "MS Reference Sans Serif","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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</td></tr>
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Finally, more often than not, bullies don’t start as
bullies. Usually, they might have gotten into the wrong crowd or met the wrong
friends. Peers, friends, whatever you call them, can make or break you. And if
you spend time with people who hurt, discriminate, intimidate, and prank others
just for the fun of it, chances are, you’ll become one of them. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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It can be safely concluded that the bullies are not at
fault. There are several factors that come into play. Bullying is simply a
manifestation of the effects of the media, social upbringing, and peers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scolding the bully repeatedly, over and over again,
suspending, expulsing, and if all comes to jailing, <b>does not </b>in any way solve the problem of bullying, it makes it even
worse. You have gotten rid of the bully, but not the <i>bullying</i>. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bcgeu.ca/sites/default/files/bullying-logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.bcgeu.ca/sites/default/files/bullying-logo.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.bcgeu.ca/sites/default/files/bullying-logo.JPG</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Bullies are people like us, human beings. They’re just a
little confused, maybe misguided. So let’s not blame them, but help them. Lets
help them, lets bring them to the light. Change them to the person who will
accept and love others for the way they are, just as much as they love and
accept themselves. </div>
<br />
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After all, the biggest victim of bullying are not the <i>bullied,</i> but the <i>bullies </i>themselves. <b><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" style="color: #75a5d1; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" style="color: #75a5d1; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-9104281687856060722013-06-19T01:03:00.000-07:002013-06-19T01:03:02.908-07:00The Basketball Phenomenon <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4387/miamicoach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4387/miamicoach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric Spoelstra, NBA Heat Coach, visits Torres High School<br />-photo credits to PHILSTAR</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
IT is simply amazing when millions of people from across the globe, cheer to one, single, game-winning, basketball shot.<i> </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
The feeling is indescribable when the game is at its last seconds, all the tension building up, only to be relieved with that last fateful shot. Basketball has reached unprecedented popularity that most people know of the sport. Apart from the technicalities that come with Basketball, what makes it stand out is the <i>drama.</i><br />
<br />
Only in Basketball can you see the lives of the players so close. In the NBA, the most publicized Basketball association in the world, players, coaches and even the owners of the teams, are as popular as the game itself.<br />
<br />
As you watch the game, whatever is at stake-- ego, pride, championships-- feels personal. That though you might not lose anything if your team didn't win, you feel the tension. It is as if, you're actually there, that you feel like you're the player, or the coach.<br />
<br />
People get so attached to Basketball, that the whole world seems to revolve around it. From fashion statements, to video games, and outright everyday small talk, Basketball is seen, heard, and talked about <i>everywhere. </i><br />
<br />
In fact, the little kids look up to Bryant, James, Nowitzki, Parker, Duncan, and a lot more, as <i>idols. </i>I see a lot of kids outside who emulate the moves of these superstars. This only proves how big an influence Basketball has on the youth.<br />
<br />
It is therefore, imperative that Basketball be used not just a tool for marketing, but also a tool for change. And NBA has not failed. Players from the sport have been known to donate to charities. The NBA in fact has a health fitness program that runs across the world. Eric Spoelstra last year visited my alma mater last year to promote this advocacy.<br />
<br />
Through Basketball, hopefully, will not be just a sport where you shoot hoops, but a game that also touches hearts.<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-52898157270746946762013-06-12T07:07:00.000-07:002013-06-14T03:16:31.083-07:00I Believe in the Philippines<br />
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<o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.gmanews.tv/v3/webpics/v3/2013/06/320_2013_06_11_17_20_11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://images.gmanews.tv/v3/webpics/v3/2013/06/320_2013_06_11_17_20_11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://images.gmanews.tv/v3/webpics/v3/2013/06/320_2013_06_11_17_20_11.jpg</td></tr>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I believe in the
Philippines</b>, a developing country in Southeast Asia, made up of 7,100
islands, and populated by more than 90 million Filipinos, which celebrates its
115<sup>th</sup> year of independence today, June 12, in its endeavors to
become a bright and shining country. This is not a dream, nor a fantasy; this
is a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">belief, a fact, and a truth.</b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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I believe in the Filipino people, that one of these days
that they too may believe in their country. And strive to take a part to make
it better.</div>
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I believe in the Filipino family that will remain strong and
firm, in spite of the many hardships in life. I hope that our values as a
family oriented people will not change. That through thick and thin a family
will get through all trials and challenges.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pinoy-ofw.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/filipino-workers-libya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://www.pinoy-ofw.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/filipino-workers-libya.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.pinoy-ofw.com/news<br />
/wp-content<br />
/uploads/2011/03<br />
/filipino-workers-libya.jpg</td></tr>
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I believe that the millions of Overseas Filipino Workers
(OFW) and the many more who have taken root abroad, may find their way back to
their motherland, that they will no longer be separated from their families
that they work hard to feed. That they may find greener pastures here to
finally settle down here, permanently. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQekwWU5qXCxVNznpX2Awkgog7uXDMrqsZ-nLYwWjmPjnV9Uqw-" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQekwWU5qXCxVNznpX2Awkgog7uXDMrqsZ-nLYwWjmPjnV9Uqw-" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://encrypted-<br />
tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=<br />
tbn:ANd9GcQekwWU5qXCxVNznpX2Awkgog<br />
7uXDMrqsZ-<br />
nLYwWjmPjnV9Uqw-</td></tr>
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I believe in a Philippines where food is made available to
all, where food that was worked hard for will not simply be shipped to another
country, but to be delivered to the plates of every hungry Filipino.</div>
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<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lclgzd3XGk1qbyfdio1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lclgzd3XGk1qbyfdio1_500.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lclgzd3XGk1qbyfdio1_500.jpg</td></tr>
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I believe in a Philippines that will have enough houses for
everyone to have a roof above their heads, a Philippines that will not sell its
land to build large extravagant malls, but will instead build homes for the
poor.</div>
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I believe in the Philippines potential to become a
competitive economy. The country is one of the most </div>
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blessed nations in the
world, for it has a vast array of both human and natural resources waiting to
be explored. In fact, the country is one of the fastest growing economies,
proven<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by its 7.8% growth, besting its
neighbors. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj108XATV4MLgI669ye6DKX30RVPgDmPS_8a1rutBew0cintJ6EDifXMhdM4sMdRhVkGUjcD83F5fMP_DV5pSJrQaC22sIyYn2Gr0u6w4udzFEcImH7YxpzePm2biYhkJgXS9HuG1GRcNs/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj108XATV4MLgI669ye6DKX30RVPgDmPS_8a1rutBew0cintJ6EDifXMhdM4sMdRhVkGUjcD83F5fMP_DV5pSJrQaC22sIyYn2Gr0u6w4udzFEcImH7YxpzePm2biYhkJgXS9HuG1GRcNs/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj108XATV4MLgI669ye6DKX30RVPgDmPS_8a1rutBew0cintJ6EDifXMhdM4sMdRhVkGUjcD83F5fMP_DV5pSJrQaC22sIyYn2Gr0u6w4udzFEcImH7YxpzePm2biYhkJgXS9HuG1GRcNs/s1600/1.jpg</td></tr>
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I also believe in a people, who will carefully manage these
resources carefully. I believe that they will not abuse Mother Nature who has
blessed them so much. I believe that they will only take what they need and
preserve the rest for the next generations. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I believe in a country where everyone can enjoy a
comfortable life, a country where no one will steal from another, but instead
help each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer will the poor
get poorer and the rich richer, but we will all live a prosperous life, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">together.</b> </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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I believe in the endeavors of the Philippine government in
thwarting corruption which has plagued and crippled the country for so long. I
also believe that those who steal from the country may find in their hearts to
turn away from their ways and serve the nation that way they should. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I believe in a country that
thrives in diversity. A nation where differences are accepted that whoever you
are, you can find a place in society. </div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/files/2011/11/t1114dayaw_feat8_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/files/2011/11/t1114dayaw_feat8_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/files/2011/11/t1114dayaw_feat8_2.jpg</td></tr>
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<br /></div>
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I believe in a harmonious
Philippines, where war between people of different opinion, sect and faction is
nonexistent. I believe that no blood must be shed, that conflicts may never
occur, through mutual understanding and respect for each other.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I believe in the Philippines’
convictions in claiming its territorial rights, that it should not be
intimidated by any giant. I believe that through diplomacy and multilateral
talks, that it may get its rightful property, without ever firing a single
bullet. </div>
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I believe that through <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">free </i>quality
education</b>, made accessible to every Filipino, will produce and mold the
bright minds of our country. I believe that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">six percent </i></b>of the Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) should be invested in education. Through education
people will be brought out of the darkness of ignorance and be brought into the
light of wisdom.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://harveykeh.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/we-heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://harveykeh.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/we-heart.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://harveykeh.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/we-heart.jpg</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">strongly, firmly, </b>and, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">with all my heart </i>believe</b>, that the
people who will pave the way to a better Philippines are the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">youth</i>. It’s through these young
optimistic people that the Philippines may achieve its goals. I believe that
they’re determination and tenacity will pay off. The youth are the catalyst to
change. It is they who will lead us to a brighter tomorrow. </div>
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<w:sdt contentlocked="t" id="89512093" sdtgroup="t"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 1.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr><w:sdt docpart="36BB67A71AB64389A921692B10377191" id="89512082" storeitemid="X_F8433C4D-E249-494F-8241-4533B89DDD23" text="t" title="Post Title" xpath="/ns0:BlogPostInfo/ns0:PostTitle"></w:sdt></span>
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I believe in a Philippines that
will get better, and I believe it will be, <i>soon.<o:p></o:p></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" style="color: #75a5d1; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" style="color: #75a5d1; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-15735722252885471002013-06-09T08:24:00.000-07:002013-06-10T17:03:12.792-07:00THIS is College<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxF9vt4gVysnmIbpkr-rbW3eQdvu1rvPDP7_zuQPeP_lXDqAccSlEqWYwEV_GmQX1BcpNNDwDJoCXlXjItT7UHXymAx_4GWau3wtWt-t-K3CzEORYsj4fD7lLd3zKpctrhmrMIHuWLDHA/s1600/P220513_09.27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxF9vt4gVysnmIbpkr-rbW3eQdvu1rvPDP7_zuQPeP_lXDqAccSlEqWYwEV_GmQX1BcpNNDwDJoCXlXjItT7UHXymAx_4GWau3wtWt-t-K3CzEORYsj4fD7lLd3zKpctrhmrMIHuWLDHA/s640/P220513_09.27.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">De La Salle College of Saint Benilde celebrates its silver year </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
College life, unanimous with wild parties, a liberated life, and lots of beautiful coeds. (The first two were partly true, but the last is an accepted fact.) Compared to high school, college gives high school a run for its money. College, a new beginning, a new environment and a new lifestyle.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vvb1INXa2gjI6fNfoP11m4xpBahN-TUmzHCBLXxL0NazSdFSHK6nTanhhgldgeLVBcqulRPY5EIDHUTtHVGqbTrvVXVrqW-NeIbsvhM571iGPqOx6vudYY7PE3JgDuD62C1o09tHicOK/s1600/942464_10200728279841853_429345674_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vvb1INXa2gjI6fNfoP11m4xpBahN-TUmzHCBLXxL0NazSdFSHK6nTanhhgldgeLVBcqulRPY5EIDHUTtHVGqbTrvVXVrqW-NeIbsvhM571iGPqOx6vudYY7PE3JgDuD62C1o09tHicOK/s400/942464_10200728279841853_429345674_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close friends from my block</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Take a peek at my first few week at De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde. THIS is College, a whole new different experience.<br />
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<h3>
The Beginning of an entirely new chapter</h3>
<div>
A week prior our first day the frosh students of De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) participated in InterAktiv 2013, an orientation program for froshies.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTI3LgXQsnDp06XZjLDPvqtITX6UjDVdwJ5ure3vXM7d_ISHQxWUB9-M0lZ78pttzMboDPCMk3gqKHE63RDdYemzz3bsrddzDt2Vb1Lyc4t3RLyQThFplB8AXuKaeYbQFyJu88ZvBXhgvI/s1600/P160513_16.22_%5B02%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTI3LgXQsnDp06XZjLDPvqtITX6UjDVdwJ5ure3vXM7d_ISHQxWUB9-M0lZ78pttzMboDPCMk3gqKHE63RDdYemzz3bsrddzDt2Vb1Lyc4t3RLyQThFplB8AXuKaeYbQFyJu88ZvBXhgvI/s640/P160513_16.22_%5B02%5D.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CSB Pep Squad welcomes the Froshies by performing a routine </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzoa7GaobSBKbSyz_g2E1nM3BgXk95mkwqqIgDS9IJwx0vprvGaflkAMj5fmShU889-bmazvPToxM-yYaJ-EeijHRQdjROekcKWsqrf6sHM_I5SHOqfkIIfhaZoobe1fyCjfXhxxxO3xF/s1600/P160513_16.22_%5B03%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzoa7GaobSBKbSyz_g2E1nM3BgXk95mkwqqIgDS9IJwx0vprvGaflkAMj5fmShU889-bmazvPToxM-yYaJ-EeijHRQdjROekcKWsqrf6sHM_I5SHOqfkIIfhaZoobe1fyCjfXhxxxO3xF/s400/P160513_16.22_%5B03%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There the upperclassmen gave us an heads up on college life, giving us insights on how exciting our next few years would be. </div>
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Professor Rogelio Delcano, also gave his time to give advice and tips for the froshmen, and the do's and don's of college life.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALfIyluI1i522T2oTL-zaX5ermDcZ0-ocS0EVKHz5pjc_9YR2tqmzl64nJrpDThbJVmnbY4GIFb7d5-EzcQbzPU2nsKJwEAzT5fWfjLmpUqYyIGUE0mUTVkNXf99SXdPQ15ohb18d2Y62/s1600/549032_10200696525248008_780668002_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALfIyluI1i522T2oTL-zaX5ermDcZ0-ocS0EVKHz5pjc_9YR2tqmzl64nJrpDThbJVmnbY4GIFb7d5-EzcQbzPU2nsKJwEAzT5fWfjLmpUqYyIGUE0mUTVkNXf99SXdPQ15ohb18d2Y62/s400/549032_10200696525248008_780668002_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor Rogelio Delcano discusses college life in Benilde</td></tr>
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One of the points that Professor Delcano made was, <b>college life is a </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">new beginning</i>. In college we are given the chance to remain who we are, or change it. He stressed that in college all of us start on the same page, whatever our accomplishments were in the past, it wouldn't matter, we all start in square one. College is a fresh start, a world of possibilities. </div>
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He encourages us to study hard and excel, for this is our time to shine. Professor Delcano recalled a number of students who didn't excel in high school but were able to succeed in college. Proving that no matter how bad your high school experience was, college is a time to redeem yourself. If you were the cream of the crop, now is a time to build yourself up even more. </div>
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<h3>
Adapting to the new environment and social climate</h3>
College is a melting pot, here you'll meet people from all walks of life. In fact, I have blockmates that come from various places, different schools, neighboring cities, to far off countries. One of my classmates came all the way from Abu Dhabi! Communication skills <i>are a must</i> here!<br />
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Not only that, in Saint Benilde, a number of students are blind and deaf! These students, under the School of Deaf and Applied Studies (SDEAS), do not suffer from any social discrimination, they are well respected. Everyone in Saint Benilde is accepted for their individuality, erasing stereotypes that being different is bad.<br />
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I can bet my name that people in CSB do not discriminate people based on their social status. My blockmates come from the upper class, yet not once have I heard them bad mouthing me and the scholars. They're warm and friendly, and I enjoy every moment I'm with them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/268801_536878083020420_257204465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/268801_536878083020420_257204465_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Student Trainers (STrains) get ready to welcome the Frosh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The upperclassmen are also congenial, kuya Gene and ate Krissa volunteered to show us around, and we from my block thank them so much, for their efforts. People from Student Trainers (STrains) welcomed us by shouting "WELCOME FROSH!" numerous times. The welcome might be deafening, but you can feel how warm their welcome was. The upperclassmen accepted us with open arms, which makes adjusting to college life easier.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G578OecZYvzW3jWCQLj6BGZSrJpleeKjuyo3XfhMqhtAtafL0QEJZZr9jI9LmgnQBtNkxMB7WKR-CveTbROwAkea5sowmloF3H6v2p1MPO4_5IN06wAtNheUwRC0KDmDP0UluQ3NLr7Y/s1600/374368_4912625335255_1943869855_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6G578OecZYvzW3jWCQLj6BGZSrJpleeKjuyo3XfhMqhtAtafL0QEJZZr9jI9LmgnQBtNkxMB7WKR-CveTbROwAkea5sowmloF3H6v2p1MPO4_5IN06wAtNheUwRC0KDmDP0UluQ3NLr7Y/s640/374368_4912625335255_1943869855_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfS1k2HcecH4Q43MKcQ-RJnlphzTYtsg0UsDNOSUgzOAWDByar2cSDwzsJuw8Udh4yqav0WwbeSUx0GIcxElNJReCGVqpKiIFT4bnxiKb3zRkGeoZ5-DKfROPfFR95qOXPmss2EOt7xwH/s1600/376917_4912624575236_487545158_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfS1k2HcecH4Q43MKcQ-RJnlphzTYtsg0UsDNOSUgzOAWDByar2cSDwzsJuw8Udh4yqav0WwbeSUx0GIcxElNJReCGVqpKiIFT4bnxiKb3zRkGeoZ5-DKfROPfFR95qOXPmss2EOt7xwH/s400/376917_4912624575236_487545158_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TFCA1 poses with Kuya Gene (guy holding placard) and Ate Krissa (top left with white tee)<br />
Photo credits to INTERAKTIV Documentation staff (both pictures) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On the other hand, college professors interact like our age, they go beyond he simple teacher-student relationship. The way they teach, or pedagogy, is extremely different from high school teachers. Their methods are more interactive focusing on us students because DLS-CSB is a learner-centered institution.<br />
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<h3>
The new lifestyle </h3>
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College is not simply an educational institution to get a degree from. <b>College is a way of life</b>. </div>
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The class schedules in college are manageable, no longer are you held for 10 hours. The schedules makes the workload easier to get through, since we have more time to do assignments without rushing.</div>
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However, a considerable portion of time of students' time is allotted to commuting, especially if your from far off. Now our parents no longer chauffeur us we have to rely on ourselves to get from point A to B. </div>
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And quite frankly , things can get a 'lil messy. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tJedg109Ymv1KL-jiz65l2Wgb0sPrHSU31c_Tt5WADEjdVDyh_mpGgSgM-wlv7b65VSTsLhCd1Msc9hqtKsk-gPhp-sQbfsDbMBHVORv8n_McVmf_d2OxUuD4oUUWR7CiqLkfey7ucFz/s1600/P200513_07.13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tJedg109Ymv1KL-jiz65l2Wgb0sPrHSU31c_Tt5WADEjdVDyh_mpGgSgM-wlv7b65VSTsLhCd1Msc9hqtKsk-gPhp-sQbfsDbMBHVORv8n_McVmf_d2OxUuD4oUUWR7CiqLkfey7ucFz/s400/P200513_07.13.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The LRT Hunger Games! </td></tr>
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<div>
Commuting to CSB can be difficult, you have to beat the morning rush, if you don't you'll find yourself competing in the Hunger Games, against people who all want to get on the train first. Also, in public trains, you have to be carefull since considerable number of thief cases happen. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPtyW3u9IkmNX-cgmBLo9okrO3Xbymjg_Qwq3XxlQussr1sCY6VHxM_yuPSz-Va_dggTLVIbsDSzigGr-dawdeDwE1eNnFqS0HEuFohQfHSN0pTHoY5OHHoOAHXNZGxv32oTTg6BtsZL2/s1600/star.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixPtyW3u9IkmNX-cgmBLo9okrO3Xbymjg_Qwq3XxlQussr1sCY6VHxM_yuPSz-Va_dggTLVIbsDSzigGr-dawdeDwE1eNnFqS0HEuFohQfHSN0pTHoY5OHHoOAHXNZGxv32oTTg6BtsZL2/s400/star.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STARWeek At CSB</td></tr>
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College also opens doors for interaction outside the classroom thorugh student organizations. During the Student Associations Recruitment Week or STARWeek, Plaza Villarosa became flooded with booths of organizations waiting to recruit new members. </div>
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The culmination of my first week happened during UNITE, the kickoff party for the year long celebration of CSB's 25th anniversary. The night was simply, amazing, celebrating it with my friends. And it ended spectacularly.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDt4MsA1K8nGwAeg7q3D6Wi5XvuxgloTsM91cFQ3Fo6xb6ACNDbt4-4LHVVigRAgp6KI9uyLYAkyFIVIxPrwNWR2XKXYqllee-GlIOMxWDp4fLast7XcGMC5r0kaIjqeBaLCv_2mDH0mK/s1600/P240513_19.00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDDt4MsA1K8nGwAeg7q3D6Wi5XvuxgloTsM91cFQ3Fo6xb6ACNDbt4-4LHVVigRAgp6KI9uyLYAkyFIVIxPrwNWR2XKXYqllee-GlIOMxWDp4fLast7XcGMC5r0kaIjqeBaLCv_2mDH0mK/s320/P240513_19.00.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4pg4DwvGyEp1H9UTxWkgmuhOy39z2WglTk1WK51vkbZrHjHjbKwjVGyZfmt-RxahG2VycOKDFijJord2ZLk1dJQfh17xJPoQKXPO1AWUba3pFn17rPvh-DbPPiz8tywX3XedV9p9dezG/s1600/P240513_19.54_%5B01%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4pg4DwvGyEp1H9UTxWkgmuhOy39z2WglTk1WK51vkbZrHjHjbKwjVGyZfmt-RxahG2VycOKDFijJord2ZLk1dJQfh17xJPoQKXPO1AWUba3pFn17rPvh-DbPPiz8tywX3XedV9p9dezG/s320/P240513_19.54_%5B01%5D.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So THIS is College, </span>a whole new different experience, I think I might like it here, so wish me luck, I'll be writing more soon! <span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-62932831625955798682013-06-06T07:42:00.000-07:002013-06-06T07:42:35.819-07:00Thinking about 'us' <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9lnj7QhoJ-PbUILOUaZqPXx4BhFPZBcZi4UojSsubF5Y63KyKpI-jbaoPZWftGnUcI7x_ZPe8RSiHKoY8oj7UdGh3GETDxi2cPFKke0Cbxq58DSyNOgURG4I3jL9bF1Q3MGDeYigQK_1/s1600/P210513_16.18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI9lnj7QhoJ-PbUILOUaZqPXx4BhFPZBcZi4UojSsubF5Y63KyKpI-jbaoPZWftGnUcI7x_ZPe8RSiHKoY8oj7UdGh3GETDxi2cPFKke0Cbxq58DSyNOgURG4I3jL9bF1Q3MGDeYigQK_1/s400/P210513_16.18.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me thinking about that special person </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #37404e; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">During NATSCI, though it was disrespectful, i didn't pay attention to class, since i was missing someone so badly, and on a piece of yellow paper I wrote:</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">I think about you all the time, not a minute goes by that a thought of you comes by. Your kisses, your tight embrace, your sweet alluring smell, your very presence. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">Its saddening that I can't see you as much as I want to, but I do all I can to</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">make you see how much I really want to spend time with you, in spite of our very tight schedules, like how I text you "good morning," like how I always post on your wall, saying how much I miss you, or sometimes how I just go crazy when I don't do those things.<br /><br />But I don't always show what I feel, sometimes I just keep quiet and thank God for every moment we are together, and how I pray, and heed that we'll meet again soon.<br /><br />Its quite obvious how much I love you, and how I'm dying deep inside every minute we're apart. But keep your chin up baby, I'm always with you, in both heart and soul.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-55260573449578347422013-05-12T08:12:00.001-07:002013-05-12T09:05:51.240-07:00The SunShine Award A big thank you to <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/103891493236607040908" target="_blank">+Rayona Tuneelo</a> for nominating me for the "SunShine Award." It is an award that was started off by Ms. <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/111982509123724920076" target="_blank">+Adrianna Joleigh</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>The sunshine Award rules </u></b></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zod2KaAU-c/UY-lUK8AtmI/AAAAAAAABHU/ZO6hWkfwYTg/s1600/Sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-transition: color 0.3s; clear: left; color: #009eb8; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2zod2KaAU-c/UY-lUK8AtmI/AAAAAAAABHU/ZO6hWkfwYTg/s1600/Sunshine.jpg" style="-webkit-border-image: url(data:image/png; border-image-repeat: stretch; border-image-slice: 9; border-image-source: url(data:image/png; border-image-width: 9px; border: 9px none; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>
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<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: droid-serif-1, droid-serif-2, Muli, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444;">*Post the Sunshine Award logo.</span></em><br />
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444;"><br /></span></em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: droid-serif-1, droid-serif-2, Muli, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444;">*Then nominate ten fellow bloggers you feel are worthy of this award. </span></em><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: droid-serif-1, droid-serif-2, Muli, 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<em style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444;">Announce their nomination on their blog. Plus, link a pingback to the nominator’s blog.</span></em></div>
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<span style="color: #444444;">Here are my nominees, with a short description. </span><br />
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<a href="http://plus.url.google.com/url?sa=z&n=1368370571612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbubblesgr.blogspot.gr%2F%23__sid%3D0&usg=lm2-7R9NQcEQfH5Vt9vBt-_4jrg." target="_blank">Teo Flev</a>, despite he being a greenhorn in the world of blogging, has shown tremendous potential. He is a Greek, and like most of his ancestors, a deep thinker. His blogpost, are very interesting, especially his "how-to" post. Read his posts, to get in depth accounts of a Greek Philosopher. </div>
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<a href="http://anonymouspreach.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Rayoona Tuneelo</a>, is a young lady with a lot of talent. Her blogging goes through a form of numerous poems that touch the heart, and invoke emotions. Personally, one of her poems made me cry, please refer to I Miss You. She channels her emotions and experiences to poems, that have a sort of style that is her own.<br />
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<a href="http://youknowjewfro.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lance Jones</a>, is a veteran blogger at his finest, I idolize this young man, who has been dedicating a huge portion of his time to blogging (two years to be exact), with more than 100 posts, and a big audience clinging to his every word. His post are thought provoking. His style is to discuss a subject using wit and humor. Informing and entertaining us at the same time. </div>
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<a href="http://itsonlyjoe.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joe Morgan</a>, I don't know how this guy does it, but he has amaassed over five thousand viewers in a matter of months. He is relatively new to the blogosphere, but his blogposts are one of a kind.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Favorite color?</strong> Blue</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Favorite animal?</strong> A dog (like Hachiko) an Akita to be exact.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Favorite number?</strong> 5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Favorite nonalcoholic drink? Ice tea</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Favorite alcoholic drink?</strong><span style="line-height: 27px;"> White wine, dry. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook or Twitter? </strong><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Twitter, because of the up-to-date news. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My Passions?</strong> Piano, blogging, writing, reading, public speaking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; line-height: 27px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Giving or Receiving Gifts?</strong><span style="line-height: 27px;"> Giving.</span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-73778214371879055492013-05-11T07:20:00.000-07:002013-05-11T07:20:43.503-07:00Dear Mom<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxUe2l9Cee0OeyX9rjB1Gzhl_O_-fjeC7bduk_q9OIaHRAhhyphenhyphenZCHG3_HuhQ0p_ORrcg_U8Di1f82FDyMZ1n_ssD1t8_3eyO2UWGVQx9QUgAHm3O2wC3ynHXpZ7IW1Vwo2WM2gDI5WNPbm/s1600/942345_574693232561317_2049106507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxUe2l9Cee0OeyX9rjB1Gzhl_O_-fjeC7bduk_q9OIaHRAhhyphenhyphenZCHG3_HuhQ0p_ORrcg_U8Di1f82FDyMZ1n_ssD1t8_3eyO2UWGVQx9QUgAHm3O2wC3ynHXpZ7IW1Vwo2WM2gDI5WNPbm/s400/942345_574693232561317_2049106507_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epic face with epic mom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Dear Mom,<br />
<br />
Happy Mothers' Day!<br />
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Thank you mom, for everything. The dedication, the will, the perseverance to raise me and my 3 other siblings. It takes a lot of blood and sweat to raise a litter that big. And for that I salute you.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZb26l7wkN0I-5rZxlLacQUCMU6LVlQwvXALowBndYrrxHBWy3hvA5kgGM4jZBNdoA4tcWqITfl6vhinlet1hn67b0vcwddz0Tbabxco3XpuYeKAPUr4S7IotBruZCQf3bZHBbNp9JPI1/s1600/546812_4837254421722_1274693766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZb26l7wkN0I-5rZxlLacQUCMU6LVlQwvXALowBndYrrxHBWy3hvA5kgGM4jZBNdoA4tcWqITfl6vhinlet1hn67b0vcwddz0Tbabxco3XpuYeKAPUr4S7IotBruZCQf3bZHBbNp9JPI1/s320/546812_4837254421722_1274693766_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Fave four, the guys that piss mom off </td></tr>
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Mom, I do try to not say how much I love you, but rather show it. I do love you mom, I idolize you, and you can't tell how proud I am to be your son!<br />
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(ehem) (cough) (cough) You don't know how lucky I feel that I have a mom that is beautiful like you. (cough)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jRZKgTifKObgaCghSGGtla50cfyR93jmqPz5d5ZuqnQcOJ0yRI3z_zVtBOz6lRRPHCDzKKjegsY1lFImHO3I3WcYX2_qsjOCSVgNCDP59iXfX_ACxL4c5ZjsEajtwgRO7HuWr72kVG7r/s1600/299606_4811246891550_2061296580_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8jRZKgTifKObgaCghSGGtla50cfyR93jmqPz5d5ZuqnQcOJ0yRI3z_zVtBOz6lRRPHCDzKKjegsY1lFImHO3I3WcYX2_qsjOCSVgNCDP59iXfX_ACxL4c5ZjsEajtwgRO7HuWr72kVG7r/s320/299606_4811246891550_2061296580_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">-_-</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
But, I'll stop the flattering now. On to business.<br />
<br />Mom a few months ago, I aspired to become an honor student, (<a href="http://thoughtsofahonorstudent.blogspot.com/2012/10/i-am-who-i-am-because-they-made-me-who.html" target="_blank">I am who I am</a>) and now? Finally I have reached my goals. And I couldn't have done it without you.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd6a3zQfB-VunlqmpYqWepkNeIE6HIbvIXzBqdnBKkpD5nQaVhMB7Lu7v74TLIJkVhB3zJWJF-E6lIngJgFXTnHPrhQnfR-52gDn9DjfcqXugF0fw8UGDithxxUy_yoEFjesQ67rauvgG/s1600/531466_10200393467551755_1326315297_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd6a3zQfB-VunlqmpYqWepkNeIE6HIbvIXzBqdnBKkpD5nQaVhMB7Lu7v74TLIJkVhB3zJWJF-E6lIngJgFXTnHPrhQnfR-52gDn9DjfcqXugF0fw8UGDithxxUy_yoEFjesQ67rauvgG/s320/531466_10200393467551755_1326315297_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">@Grad</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsTfeLYPl8ZWOdgMCa6_l6zupZL94LkG7KVD8dtDeR0nyWYZY17GO9rRUboonW8KCod6LqFbGeyCPZJV0btPBs1-s3wjjFPrAyVi91NNPijvW1Sq0IaR6BV85O6XTXMX0vkeDjqlOru_Q/s1600/76872_4214001640792_1280354036_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwsTfeLYPl8ZWOdgMCa6_l6zupZL94LkG7KVD8dtDeR0nyWYZY17GO9rRUboonW8KCod6LqFbGeyCPZJV0btPBs1-s3wjjFPrAyVi91NNPijvW1Sq0IaR6BV85O6XTXMX0vkeDjqlOru_Q/s320/76872_4214001640792_1280354036_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">when I brought home my first trophy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Because of you, I kept on going. No matter how hard seems got, I always had you by my back, offering not help with my homework but with something far far more greater, you helped me with morale support.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigE995vYJwK5CEisjkJfzqtsHgiKJKHJ7av_Gch1txdXJ89mRQ6zR71lyP2hXmew8baA-ojquAJyHVHJZXu3-FirWLf11wutRZXinC5NBzUdzuF9rX3H0pMg-hCM-kS1I-Efmdv4zCCcku/s1600/544366_555308114499829_1119752661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigE995vYJwK5CEisjkJfzqtsHgiKJKHJ7av_Gch1txdXJ89mRQ6zR71lyP2hXmew8baA-ojquAJyHVHJZXu3-FirWLf11wutRZXinC5NBzUdzuF9rX3H0pMg-hCM-kS1I-Efmdv4zCCcku/s320/544366_555308114499829_1119752661_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During Recognition day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
You inspire me to be the <i>best </i> I could be. And that inspiration has gone a long way.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6M__dAR2GUGBaJKm4ni1hlI4uODqEZhyphenhyphenvGgj6Y5KKzRrdoWXIg2Vytn1Dj-_ZiSKmg95zCwJUMXPmDhRXWNw_0GpGW9aHm8_s0iyR0T6vMjT7gLgnF3sz-G9o5Xv86MykLAU3a6h8dAe/s1600/406633_4644724088584_381451264_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6M__dAR2GUGBaJKm4ni1hlI4uODqEZhyphenhyphenvGgj6Y5KKzRrdoWXIg2Vytn1Dj-_ZiSKmg95zCwJUMXPmDhRXWNw_0GpGW9aHm8_s0iyR0T6vMjT7gLgnF3sz-G9o5Xv86MykLAU3a6h8dAe/s320/406633_4644724088584_381451264_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at a national quiz bee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
I've always see to it mama, that you are proud of me. And I keep this in mind, every time I have a contest. You have always been my lucky charm. When I think about it, if you weren't by my side, I might not have won a single trophy.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQwC3iQcJg6LlJg5E6jWJvL8c-q15zPH2ntAn_G1cz7XLR08ImVq8LUJYT7lauTe2j0JI9mIR9E8ys08RwoQ3cCsUBjzHawJJVTr5KIy5dbs8M21vEUUsk21Sip-yvBO5RQEdfkinR1JM/s1600/423076_4527018746024_741161467_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQwC3iQcJg6LlJg5E6jWJvL8c-q15zPH2ntAn_G1cz7XLR08ImVq8LUJYT7lauTe2j0JI9mIR9E8ys08RwoQ3cCsUBjzHawJJVTr5KIy5dbs8M21vEUUsk21Sip-yvBO5RQEdfkinR1JM/s1600/423076_4527018746024_741161467_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl847DvozU38tL2kE2IlpjbW_2LNjZ_uac2oc-sEw9ogOZh2_fw5tJv0iDRgqk2YwEpBMoGskV9NKoKsrSPNwjRA-mlqYkWDMqoZyjCgit69b68qcdpR5MzRRLMNdOwlxJae3k88T1GOH/s1600/302860_4584920233525_351719614_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHl847DvozU38tL2kE2IlpjbW_2LNjZ_uac2oc-sEw9ogOZh2_fw5tJv0iDRgqk2YwEpBMoGskV9NKoKsrSPNwjRA-mlqYkWDMqoZyjCgit69b68qcdpR5MzRRLMNdOwlxJae3k88T1GOH/s200/302860_4584920233525_351719614_n.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crowned as Eco King</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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Mom, I hope that I did make you proud, because all of my achievements, everything I have done, every single minute I have invested for education, --guess what?--- is for you.<br />
<br />
I do feel awfully sorry if I tend to get to your nerves sometimes, I'm a teen, and you know that. But I do all I can to make you happy. I thank you, because you don't treat me only as your son, but also a bestfriend, whom you confide with. I'm happy that when we have problems, I have a say to suggest solutions (even if I am the problem sometimes.)<br />
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Just remember mom, that that sooner or later that it's not just trophies or medals, that I will give you, there is more than that, what I really want to give you someday, is success. I want to share my success with you.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm5xgES2Wcw5Qfw_N_a673ITSP1EeZPXXgiFN8E0NYn_UV0fo7E9g16cNC52MUfIRuDDQMLtoWo5eAbvQYKsvVBOs2WctJznDHJ_kzIa67KbPjFIm2MZy67-NWpSC87Ry2hEdATCgpH-_/s1600/537904_4811221170907_722542708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm5xgES2Wcw5Qfw_N_a673ITSP1EeZPXXgiFN8E0NYn_UV0fo7E9g16cNC52MUfIRuDDQMLtoWo5eAbvQYKsvVBOs2WctJznDHJ_kzIa67KbPjFIm2MZy67-NWpSC87Ry2hEdATCgpH-_/s320/537904_4811221170907_722542708_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Epic mom, makes, epic children</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I will always be here mom, no matter what happens, no matter how pissed off you are at me, no matter how much i let you feel like you wished I was never born, I will still be there.<br />
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Through good and bad, thick and thin, I will always be there, thank you mom, for everything.<br />
<br />I love you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJgdrVmcKyQsioHpBzDc8HulHQBsHyoPch2HaJsOu0p6p9Aa11wOfLiazZo-J4oamimF2BrivL3MGxspi-ojzc2CealIf0iGillqX6cPKDVAPAtUBLswwZQucYAW3PaMgsSB2bLA7WB2_/s1600/401987_555309051166402_1173389282_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJgdrVmcKyQsioHpBzDc8HulHQBsHyoPch2HaJsOu0p6p9Aa11wOfLiazZo-J4oamimF2BrivL3MGxspi-ojzc2CealIf0iGillqX6cPKDVAPAtUBLswwZQucYAW3PaMgsSB2bLA7WB2_/s320/401987_555309051166402_1173389282_n.jpg" width="320" /></a>Your Pabidang Anak<br />(Your Superstar Son),<br /><br />Adrian James<br />(Jay)<br />
<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-50027243066872969672013-05-06T22:19:00.000-07:002013-05-06T22:56:31.979-07:00Just do it (tomorrow) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1fnF3WDEgzAsSDLym72M07v1S9VJ6hnvCx3clqr8-JO6q0bYEjgf5UItO5HOVtr1tB7RAkUlmi78lsPvgQKkaX4b2Vh-xkQyErcYmjrq1Oc0Jc7Qlkfn2_FUacO1GTX_U0QJvqNK310q/s1600/544507_480871511977270_1964294710_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1fnF3WDEgzAsSDLym72M07v1S9VJ6hnvCx3clqr8-JO6q0bYEjgf5UItO5HOVtr1tB7RAkUlmi78lsPvgQKkaX4b2Vh-xkQyErcYmjrq1Oc0Jc7Qlkfn2_FUacO1GTX_U0QJvqNK310q/s640/544507_480871511977270_1964294710_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Deadlines at the end of the day, stacks of homework, coupled with projects and your teacher hounding you to finish! What did you do to deserve these torments? It's driving you nuts!<br />
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Well, you saw it coming. The reason your schoolwork is such a wreck is because you did them at the last minute. You probably told yourself that you've got plenty of time, quoting Nike's slogan,<br />
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"Just do it.......Tomorrow."<br />
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It seems procrastinating is a quick escape, much like drugs, to our problems. Yet, after we procrastinate, we find ourselves with even more problems. Though they seem like an solution, they really aren't.<br />
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<h3>
Clear out all distractions</h3>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/11/19/onoff1_wideweb__470x281,0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/11/19/onoff1_wideweb__470x281,0.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAcQjB0wAA" href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/digital-life/how-tos/how-often-should-you-turn-off-your-pc/2008/11/18/1226770416534.html?page=fullpage" style="background-color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="irc_ho" style="color: #d6d6d6; margin-right: -2px; padding-right: 2px;">www.smh.com.au</span></a><span class="irc_dim" style="background-color: #222222; color: #7d7d7d; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Even before you get started you are aced with a lot of distractions, preventing you from doing work. </div>
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What you do is, log-out of Facebook, turn off your PC, focus. Remove all distractions. Plug off the TV, turn down the stereo, and stop playing the Xbox. </div>
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Go to a place that is quite, cool with proper lighting to make you comfortable.</div>
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Because being uncomfortable leads to finding distractions. Distractions often ends up as procrastination. And, procrastination results to no work done at all. And no work done, in a few more days, equals even <i>more</i> work! </div>
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So clear out all distractions to get started. </div>
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<h3>
Get motivated</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pavementrunner.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/motivation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="395" src="http://pavementrunner.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/motivation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from pavementrunner.com </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Probably the hardest part of doing schoolwork, or any work for that matter, is starting it. You have to admit, mountains of paperwork to go through can be quite discouraging.<br />
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You need motivation, something to give you that 'jump start.' </div>
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Instead of rambling over how much work there is to do, you should just do it, <i>now.</i> </div>
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<h4>
Utilizing the "need-want" strategy</h4>
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A strategy I use to get a job done is the 'need-want' strategy. Creating a reson to do something to serve as a motivation. </div>
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"I <i>need</i> to finish this report early, because I <i>want</i> to watch a movie later with my friends." </div>
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"I <i>need</i> to do my homework tonight, because I <i> want </i> to have nothing to do for the rest of the weekend." </div>
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"I <i>need </i> to ace this test because I <i>want </i> to get exempted from the subject's project." </div>
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<div>
The reward system can definitely spur you to finish the job. Just be careful in getting to psyched for the reward, to the point that you're in such a rush to get things done, that you end up, sacrificing the quality of your work. </div>
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<br /></div>
<h4>
Using the 'positive' strategy</h4>
<div>
Another motivational strategy is the positive strategy. You need to think of something, an idea, a person, anything, that makes the effort in doing work <i>worth </i>it. </div>
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The next time you do a book report, think about your nice teacher how great he/she lectures and how interested you are about her subject. That can get you pumped up, Think of her commending on your excellent work. </div>
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<div>
Or, when you're reviewing for a big exam, why not bet with a good friend, the person who gets a higher score gets treated to lunch. Just the thought of you winning and rubbing it in ought to inspire you. </div>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Peerwork: Just do it, together </h3>
<div>
Doing homework with your friends is the oldest trick in the book and probably the most effective. </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs26/f/2009/240/6/2/KH__Study_Date_by_tealgeezus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs26/f/2009/240/6/2/KH__Study_Date_by_tealgeezus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from tealgeezus.deviantart.com </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<div>
Having someone to do homework with definitely takes out the boredom. And who knows, you might actually enjoy it! </div>
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Peerwork also makes the team, efficient. Try cross-examining your work and you'll be surprised to see how helpful you can be in cleaning up errors, in a report or an assignment. </div>
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<div>
Peerwork also opens doors to discussions, in the end, you will end up learning even more than you bargained for. </div>
<div>
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Also, if you think you might suck at math but you happen to have a friend who is good at it, why not invite him over to tutor you? Who knows, you might be good at something that he is not. </div>
<div>
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<div>
So you can just set up a study date, and go from there. </div>
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<h3>
Just do it, NOW </h3>
<div>
there you have it, these are my study techniques to avoid procrastination. hope you learned a thing or two. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-75530689064539412222013-05-06T00:13:00.000-07:002013-05-06T06:04:05.892-07:00Are you the World's Mockingjay? <div style="text-align: left;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQP8TEXStcOHijhFDGPbqsVDyXsiB2ktVyN5PIoIMr1PeTv_eiAlKZV_7IT0WRXxT5vBTr1cmIZcARI7WAleC0VqFmRKqfB58ZNxHKEMdGA55-FUI5eapt7b9eKzieqrAaxBTVVKbjCC9k/s1600/You-Are-the-Mockingjay-the-hunger-game-trilogy-13782758-390-500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQP8TEXStcOHijhFDGPbqsVDyXsiB2ktVyN5PIoIMr1PeTv_eiAlKZV_7IT0WRXxT5vBTr1cmIZcARI7WAleC0VqFmRKqfB58ZNxHKEMdGA55-FUI5eapt7b9eKzieqrAaxBTVVKbjCC9k/s400/You-Are-the-Mockingjay-the-hunger-game-trilogy-13782758-390-500.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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"Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us."<br />
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Katniss Everdeen, the girl on fire, in Suzanne Collins' "The Hunger Games" series, ignites the world of Panem to revolt against an oppressive Capitol, serving as the face of an ever growing rebellion. She is Panem's hope, she is the <i>Mockingjay.</i><br />
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Panem and our world are not different, both share a war, a war fought on many fronts, battles against, poverty, oppression, terrorism, drugs, and bullying<br />
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Most of us idolize Katniss, having the ability to lead a rebellion into victory, yet unknown to most of us, is that everyone can be a Katniss, everyone can be a Mockingjay. <br />
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<h3>
Letting the seeds of rebellion grow </h3>
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Everyone has the seed of rebellion in them. it's just that it hasn't grown yet. As a Mockingjay, your job is to let these seeds grow, with awareness and the urget to take action. It's one thing to be <i>ignorant</i> of a problem, another to be <i>aware</i> of it, and a totally different thing if you decide to <i>do something </i>about it. </div>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/Uprising_fist.jpg/220px-Uprising_fist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/01/Uprising_fist.jpg/220px-Uprising_fist.jpg" /></a></div>
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It is the Mockingjay that convince people that, yes, they can do something. It is the Mockingjay that <i>tears off</i> the shrouds of ignorance and deceit letting people see out of the dark, into the light, grasping the truth. </div>
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The Mockingjay is the catalyst to an uprising that has been long overdue.</div>
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<h3>
Lighting a united flame</h3>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nottsbedroomtax.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/the-people-united-will-never-be-defeated-anon-art-of-revolution.jpg?w=590" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://nottsbedroomtax.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/the-people-united-will-never-be-defeated-anon-art-of-revolution.jpg?w=590" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://nottsbedroomtax.files.wordpress.com<br />
/2013/03/the-people-united-<br />
will-never-be-defeated-anon-art-of-revolution.jpg?w=590</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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A Mockingjay rouses several uprisings in different areas, but unifying theses little uprisings into one, is a different story, it's what we call, a full-scale <i>revolution</i>.</div>
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When people unite for a cause, they are invincible. People who fight alongside each other, achieve the impossible. </div>
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The Mockingjay, rallies the people to one global and united cause. Urging others to work together against a common enemy. </div>
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<h3>
Are <i>you</i> the Mockingjay? </h3>
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Look around, our world is filled with Mockingjays, all 1,809,000,000 of them, in fact, 1/4 of the world population are Mockingjays, the World's Mockingjays are what we call the <u>Youth</u>. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.un.org/en/events/youthday/images/youthday2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.un.org/en/events/youthday/images/youthday2012.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from www.un.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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They youth despite their young age, have proven time and time again that they can make a difference. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://therealnews.com/media/trn_2013-02-01/jihancairo0211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="226" src="http://therealnews.com/media/trn_2013-02-01/jihancairo0211.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAcQjB0wADgh" href="http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=838" style="background-color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><span class="irc_ho" style="color: #d6d6d6; margin-right: -2px; padding-right: 2px;">therealnews.com</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The youth utilizing social media, has managed to topple an oppressive regime, proven by the fall of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, when videos of protests uploaded to YouTube, piqued world interest. With the world behind the protesters back, supporting their cause, it was only a matter of time before Mubarak fell out of power. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bgc-gv.bc.ca/assets/pinkshirt_2012final_shirt_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.bgc-gv.bc.ca/assets/pinkshirt_2012final_shirt_resized.jpg" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> from www.bgc-gv.bc.ca</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The youth in being part of campaigns against bullying, during a large movement every February 27, where London Drugs, encourage everyone to wear a pink t-shirt to send a message against bullying.</div>
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Drugs have been a long issue, the world actively participates every June 26, as the International Day Against Drug Abuse. </div>
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And finally the youth through education, has brought up a nation out of the clutches of poverty, building a productive economy, and a better country. </div>
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According to Filipino Hero Dr. Jose Rizal:<br />
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"The youth is the <i>hope</i> of the motherland." </div>
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The Mockingjays are the epitome of hope, the hope of humanity, the hope of the world. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.docspopuli.org/images/YouthColor_detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://www.docspopuli.org/images/YouthColor_detail.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from www.docspopuli.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Billions of Mockingjays 1.809 Billlion strong, as a flock, united for one cause, cannot be stopped. </div>
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So let me ask you one last time,</div>
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<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Are you the World's Mockingjay? </span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.wikia.com/thehungergames/images/f/ff/The_Hunger_Games_Mockingjay_Pin_1920x1200_Mockingjay-symbol1-1-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://images.wikia.com/thehungergames/images/f/ff/The_Hunger_Games_Mockingjay_Pin_1920x1200_Mockingjay-symbol1-1-.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <span class="irc_ho" style="background-color: #222222; color: #d6d6d6; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; margin-right: -2px; padding-right: 2px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;"><a class="irc_hol irc_itl" data-ved="0CAQQjB0" href="https://www.google.com.ph/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=iaamFqobRwjDoM&tbnid=iYK5G0iBAxl6AM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthehungergames.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FFile%3AThe_Hunger_Games_Mockingjay_Pin_1920x1200_Mockingjay-symbol1-1-.jpg&ei=XFWHUcP9FoTorQekp4DQDA&bvm=bv.45960087,d.bmk&psig=AFQjCNEjjCwEg3-cpHgEl-GISCZIv5OrhQ&ust=1367909961943754" style="background-color: #222222; color: #1122cc; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 15.989583969116211px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; white-space: nowrap;">thehungergames.wikia.com</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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a big thank you to Rod for exposing me to the World of Panem, and to <a class="g-profile" href="http://plus.google.com/108576223180991834314" target="_blank">+Hannah Cianciolo</a> for discussing with me the Hunger Games Series. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-7386828108120858182013-05-03T07:56:00.000-07:002013-05-03T07:56:44.763-07:00Religion to the Youth<br />
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Religion, faith and God are some of the very sensitive
topics for people, especially for young ones. These are topics as Mitch Albom
puts them as “touchy-feely,” things that we rather not talk about.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzG90oKvVheV-9ENaufCFIT7eBUy-riiG6l__05emTIbDPGiMEpFCRqE0vOyMoRcJ17YYXgp3Td6wq61_Z6QBXqYZw6fJ3jhEiDT228quAVR7EIEfOFMWqQxLcmw8SwrIwdqUHL18xppm/s1600/RELIGIONES.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzG90oKvVheV-9ENaufCFIT7eBUy-riiG6l__05emTIbDPGiMEpFCRqE0vOyMoRcJ17YYXgp3Td6wq61_Z6QBXqYZw6fJ3jhEiDT228quAVR7EIEfOFMWqQxLcmw8SwrIwdqUHL18xppm/s1600/RELIGIONES.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/aidankelly/2012/06/why-wicca-is-a-major-world-religion/">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/aidankelly/2012/06/why-wicca-is-a-major-world-religion/</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here in the Philippines, most of the youth of my age, treat
religion more like a chore, than a thing to praise for. They attend services,
masses and ceremonies, half-heartedly. They quickly await the end of
everything, eager to go home. It seems that to some, Twitter and Facebook are
even more important. </div>
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We have a common notion that whatever the religion of our
parents is, we must follow. But getting a person to convert to a faith out of
tradition rather than <i>choice, </i>may
lead him/her not to grasp the actual point of religion—worshipping a mighty
being, God. </div>
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Choosing your religion is a big decision. This decision
requires ample time of thinking and soulsearching. Children should be given the
freedom to choose a religion that they feel comfortable with. </div>
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This choice may take as long as it can. The time should be
allocated to studying the religion in depth. What are their customs? Are there
any restrictions? When do I have to go to church for service or masses? </div>
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And ultimately the mighty question:</div>
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“Is this the <i>right</i>
religion for me?” </div>
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Each religion has its own set of belief and values.
Therefore, it is recommended that the youth should take time to explore
different religions, till he finds <i>the
one</i>. The one that fits his own beliefs and values. </div>
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Letting the youth attend and participate in a religion that
he actually chose, gives them a greater appreciation.</div>
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You see, the youth does not treat religion as a chore per
se; we just have to let them treat religion on their own terms.</div>
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Now to the youth, we are all given a right to choose a religion
that fits us, and no one can do anything about it. It is our life. We all
choose our paths. </div>
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<br /></div>
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After all, whatever your sect, religion, faith, or
brotherhood you belong in, we will only be worshipping one divine entity, one
great being, one God. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-27609976749843432032013-05-02T09:08:00.001-07:002013-05-02T09:08:25.228-07:00Please don't say you love mePlease don't say you love me, 'cause I might just break your heart. I'm afraid that I'll just cheat, that I might lie, or even let you die.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5HRCx8jo2rO6s9uESNIcDuQLoOOiMcInUiI3laEMvbvtOc6ffLjP9s4yTR4Zb9tJSONoBZHAFyC9P2ROVu9vHPLIRtnmSxsJoPkLflyqFgYLksjMZHu13BPu-9GsL1DyN8imGzGe-3zD/s1600/crying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5HRCx8jo2rO6s9uESNIcDuQLoOOiMcInUiI3laEMvbvtOc6ffLjP9s4yTR4Zb9tJSONoBZHAFyC9P2ROVu9vHPLIRtnmSxsJoPkLflyqFgYLksjMZHu13BPu-9GsL1DyN8imGzGe-3zD/s1600/crying.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://s944.photobucket.com/">http://s944.photobucket.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
You're so pure, so divine. I don't deserve you. To think that of all the people on the world, I end up with someone so kind as you. So, please don't say you love me, 'cause I might just break your heart.<br />
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Sometimes, I make you cry, I don't even notice. I hurt you, even if I don't mean to. I make you sad, even if you don't try to show. So, please don't say you love me, 'cause I might just break you heart.<br />
<br />
It's amazing how willing you are to sacrifice so much, no matter what the cost, just to be with me. Deep inside, I know that you feel like your losing yourself. I'm afraid that after I'm done with you, you might look yourself in the mirror, and you'll barely recognize yourself. So, please don't say you love me, 'cause I might just break your heart.<br />
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It's better this way, if we just part ways. I know it might hurt but it's for your own good. . If you don't leave, I'll give you a reason to. So, please don't say you love me, 'cause I might just break your heart.<br />
<br />
I tell you these words, and turn away. Surprised I was, when you got in my way. You grabbed my hands, held them tight, you hugged and even kissed me too. You looked me in the eye and said,<br />
<br />
"Please don't say you'll leave me, 'cause I might just fall apart<br />
Please don't say you'll leave me, 'cause in your arms is where I want to be."<br />
<br />
I kiss her on her forehead, smile and shed a tear, when all I can say is,<br />
<br />
" Please just say you love me, so I'll take care of your <i>heart</i>.<br />
Please just say you love me, 'cause you already got <i>mine</i>."<br />
<br />
<br />
This short essay was inspired by<br />
<h1 id="watch-headline-title" style="border: 0px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;">
<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" id="eow-title" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 0.9em; letter-spacing: -0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Gabrielle Aplin: Please Don't Say You Love Me (Official Lyrics video)">Gabrielle Aplin's Please Don't Say You Love Me. watch it <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxNYvk_0Onw" target="_blank">here.</a><br /></span></h1>
<div>
<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 0.9em; letter-spacing: -0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Gabrielle Aplin: Please Don't Say You Love Me (Official Lyrics video)">A beautiful song indeed. </span></div>
<div>
<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 0.9em; letter-spacing: -0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Gabrielle Aplin: Please Don't Say You Love Me (Official Lyrics video)"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="watch-title long-title yt-uix-expander-head" dir="ltr" style="-webkit-user-select: auto; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 0.9em; letter-spacing: -0.05em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" title="Gabrielle Aplin: Please Don't Say You Love Me (Official Lyrics video)"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-17614324231353675202013-05-01T06:01:00.000-07:002013-05-01T06:01:12.058-07:00Labor Day is not just about having a job<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
A common misconception about May 1, or more known as Labor
Day, is that, it is a celebration of being employed. Quite frankly, Labor Day
does not focus about the job or the employment. It is about the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">laborer</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>or the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">employee</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, </i>the one who has the job.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Labor Day, is a day to acknowledge the state if the people
of work, a time to address their concerns on various issues. A few are, a need
for a stable job, a sustainable livelihood, and an assurance of rights.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V7M9Hf6CLDkz6fvumfmJKPZ-upVHVgF01PPGlsd5DXa1_sqfuTwqE3r5OILmywTFXrelOYAAeCgqLZPS7PWoOOzHfQkyTTdDpsxJSRCYopqXuSNXUo0j6gD64ZRERb9GSVcVUWWlIeZH/s1600/labor-day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7V7M9Hf6CLDkz6fvumfmJKPZ-upVHVgF01PPGlsd5DXa1_sqfuTwqE3r5OILmywTFXrelOYAAeCgqLZPS7PWoOOzHfQkyTTdDpsxJSRCYopqXuSNXUo0j6gD64ZRERb9GSVcVUWWlIeZH/s1600/labor-day.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<h2>
A need for a stable job</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlXWrmYghjpESxXgNSVH0NP0VXrZkexFGME0p2mJ7AeTMroJyoQWOlfFkyG6ITPI1NDjV2EU-ctmQGI5uKtdTRtJLL0CwIk1Y2qiWhRTnleovHHqmY7jVm4xngN_GyZywBj5WUDWs97ax/s1600/2011-may-1-apl-kamao-labor-day-philippines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlXWrmYghjpESxXgNSVH0NP0VXrZkexFGME0p2mJ7AeTMroJyoQWOlfFkyG6ITPI1NDjV2EU-ctmQGI5uKtdTRtJLL0CwIk1Y2qiWhRTnleovHHqmY7jVm4xngN_GyZywBj5WUDWs97ax/s320/2011-may-1-apl-kamao-labor-day-philippines.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With poverty running rampant, crippling our nation,
employment is a vital aspect to be taken care of, in order to keep alive. But,
a problem our workers face is the threat of a lay-off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jobs hardly come by, and when they do, it is even harder to
keep.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Especially with the Philippine mid-term elections on May 13,
coming up, people are quickly being recruited to join the campaign trail. But
as soon as May 13 ends, they’ll lose their jobs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Though elections do help to give occupations to the masses,
what people need are ‘jobs’ they can actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">keep.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Jobs, permanent jobs, to be exact, do not simply come out of
thin air. To produce jobs we need entrepreneurs, people who venture in the
world of business, in need of manpower. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our government need to create a economic climate that
encourages business to spring up. In April 2012, the Philippines had a total of
1,249,000 employers, barely 2% of the labor force. We need more entrepreneurs
to produce employment.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Right now, the supply of work does not meet the demand for
it. No wonder why 4600 Filipinos travel abroad everyday in search of greener
pastures. This amounts 1,664,118 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), don’t forget
to factor in the 4,345,000 unemployed people in our country. It is no surprise
why we suffer from a braindrain, because a considerable portion of our labor
force are either working abroad, or unemployed. </div>
<h2>
<o:p> </o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></h2>
<h2>
A need for sustainable livelihood</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After you have a job, and finally you get your paycheck you
are disappointed at a realization—the money is not enough to sustain you. Even
if you try to make ends meet, you end up starving.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here in the Philippines, the standard cost of living in the
capital for an average family of six, is Php 1022 ($30), and the daily minimum
wage is Php 446 ($10). Quite obviously, the wage does not suffice the needs of
the family, leaving a 44% wage gap. Even if two people work for a family, it is
still not enough. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, take into consideration that 12,563,000 people, a
quarter of the labor force, are laborers, who receive ‘minimum wage.’ Amazing
right? It is a miracle how they can still manage to feed their children.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even more heartbreaking is that farmers, fishermen, and
lumberjacks, all who work under agriculture, a total of 5,563,000 the second
largest occupational group, receives wages <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">less</i>
than the minimum.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And what it makes it even harder, is the fact that the
prices of commodities go up so fast. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A solution to the wage problem lies in a dynamic economy,
again, encouraging entrepreneurs to hire people and boost productivity, that
leads to even bigger sales and ultimately, bigger paychecks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
A need for an assurance of workers’ rights</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is disappointing how many people complain about job
issues, especially in the workplace.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The wages are bad enough, but to the point, that after a
hard day’s work, you end up with no money?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Even if your employer promises to
give it to you the following day, this is a clear violation of your rights. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIeqXi6uSy-ACdIk9It-RHRuOiDrz47NJhEJhcgDNPtGHkeHM0kxU1AgDPad2YYR9hELOOhqqcEGntqF-zWbYbcdtkHvRdPhNuNFVmwEABhBkCYgPEo6dlg0VzDFRNZf6-DcnHHG7XaBP/s1600/banat1new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeIeqXi6uSy-ACdIk9It-RHRuOiDrz47NJhEJhcgDNPtGHkeHM0kxU1AgDPad2YYR9hELOOhqqcEGntqF-zWbYbcdtkHvRdPhNuNFVmwEABhBkCYgPEo6dlg0VzDFRNZf6-DcnHHG7XaBP/s320/banat1new.jpg" width="320" /></a>There was even one case brought to T3, a television program
on TV5, just today, about a teacher from Samar National High School who is
complaining about unpaid dues. This teacher has accumulated a large amount of
unpaid money from the school after going overtime all through his career. The
school promised to pay for it after he retires. And when he did retire the
school replied that “there is no funds.” Imagine waiting for years for money
that would never end up being paid. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is another clear violation of a worker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has the right to receive his wage after he
completed the prescribed hours of work, and get overtime if they go over the 8
hour minimum. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Workers also need to be assured that the benefits they were
promised to will be given. I’ve heard people who do not receive<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>leaves. Some jobs that have
occupational hazards do not even have insurance for their workers! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h2>
On this Labor Day</h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is important that the government along with the private
sector to participate in uplifting the state of our workers. We need to hear
out the workers. After all, the labor force is a vital ingredient in an economy
that is quickly picking up speed, like the Philippines. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now is the time to take action.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More jobs, bigger paychecks, and workers’ rights.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We need these, today, on this Labor Day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Happy Labor Day, Philippines! LONG LIVE THE PHILIPPINES.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
*all sources from IBON Foundation, National Statistics
Office Labor Force Survey, National Wages and Productivity Commission and
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (Central Bank of the Philippines.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-23950057294397562282013-04-30T06:03:00.000-07:002013-04-30T06:17:29.997-07:00The Hunger Games of Today<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Though
Suzanne Collins’ “Hunger Games” takes place in the future, it is evident that
there are similarities between the world of today, and the Panem of tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaIJbxic5tu4PuUOr9W-QfcOTIMVo2RSthsZ33xXMMg8i0g9-Q4dyAEssSVCe-hmUsGRIjYpqSXJOOGDFYzOFhjNPhHzaQgwCwrlJFujSIwDUkSayBmH9MMMhHJz3E8hsKbf5uGbn10hp/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaIJbxic5tu4PuUOr9W-QfcOTIMVo2RSthsZ33xXMMg8i0g9-Q4dyAEssSVCe-hmUsGRIjYpqSXJOOGDFYzOFhjNPhHzaQgwCwrlJFujSIwDUkSayBmH9MMMhHJz3E8hsKbf5uGbn10hp/s400/images.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We
still live in a world where <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">inequality</i>
still exists. A world where the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. A
world where a handful of people hold the power. A world where the wants of the
few, outweigh the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">needs </i>of the many.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Have
you ever though of millions of people starving in Africa while you eat your
sumptuous meal? Or how about the millions of children uneducated, yet eager to
learn, as you waste away in school? Just like in the world of Panem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
world is imbalanced. It’s amazing how most of the world’s money is in the hands
of the 2% of the population. And, this is even worse in the Capitol of Panem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">People
blame Capitalism, others the government, and in Panem’s case, an oppressive
Capitol.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Whoever
or whatever the culprit is, one thing is sure, it is pitting us against each
other, much like the Hunger Games. We are forced to battle it out to stay
alive, than rather join forces to beat a common enemy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This
is our world, where we try to outsmart each other to gain an edge. All of our
efforts are in vain, for in the end, the elite will triumph. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We
must work together, all of us. We can get through this, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">together. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Let
us not wait until we are all under one oppressive system where we really do
have to kill to survive. Let the human race progress, where equality will
finally exist. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-27219538970874315302013-04-29T07:23:00.000-07:002013-04-30T06:17:22.680-07:00The Best "Douchebag" I've ever had <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uWcAH5-VDblSvmgFKKjAN-IxRSC9v_BYknBvafvihlFIBGscLmgkkfeajO18M0lxJIK2F_um22X0zezfOwScnnz76Jwp2VQ0GmQM-UvbmInSjbQaUlMqay6SuPNJk_hOfcOW7q7RXotd/s1600/551385_10200873570301504_1403553383_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5uWcAH5-VDblSvmgFKKjAN-IxRSC9v_BYknBvafvihlFIBGscLmgkkfeajO18M0lxJIK2F_um22X0zezfOwScnnz76Jwp2VQ0GmQM-UvbmInSjbQaUlMqay6SuPNJk_hOfcOW7q7RXotd/s640/551385_10200873570301504_1403553383_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken at Vikings SM The Block, we almost died because we were so FULL! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“A friend knows all the stupid things you’ve done, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>A true
friend is the one that you do stupid things with.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">True
friends piss you off. They don’t try to please you or anything. They’re not
like your acquaintances, who try all they can to get to your good side. True
friends will stop at nothing to make your entire day miserable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">But,
when they do go away, you feel sort of empty. It is as if your day isn’t
complete. There is that pang in your stomach, searching for something.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">This
is Rod, and he is a douchebag. He ticks me off. He makes fun of me, in front of
a lot of people, even in front of girls I try to hit on. It’s no joke when I
say that not a day goes by that he makes a sarcastic comment about you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We’ve
been through a lot. We’ve been friends since grade school, seven years to be
exact. In fact we first met, when I came behind him, tapped him on the
shoulders and said,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“I
hate you,” surprised I was when he replied,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“I
hate you too!” And as if by instinct we said in unison,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“What
a coincidence!” We’ve been stuck together ever since.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">It’s
a mystery how we lasted. How such a friendship started out so oddly, perplexes
me even today!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">A
few weeks ago, Rod left the Philippines to study abroad, did I forget to
mention that this guy is a genius? Only that he is too lazy to study.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpDDJjQeyMMzidg75fwqW9yY_Jo8kZr2eidl_duciAQ-227qg8I-hRV47zQjeT975pbmXX1CcVJKlD21mBJJYF1mrsdBxh2uIiGfwL43lKvYF0tN4OP-C2-NZpL8bsw61SodJ8xcLBStV/s1600/487057_4372622326210_1752676442_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJpDDJjQeyMMzidg75fwqW9yY_Jo8kZr2eidl_duciAQ-227qg8I-hRV47zQjeT975pbmXX1CcVJKlD21mBJJYF1mrsdBxh2uIiGfwL43lKvYF0tN4OP-C2-NZpL8bsw61SodJ8xcLBStV/s320/487057_4372622326210_1752676442_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We
spent the entire month before his flight, trying to wrap things up between the
two of us, since I won’t be seeing him for a very, very long time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
night before his flight, we ate a feast, I slept over at his place, well we didn’t
actually sleep. But during the wee hours of the morning we said what needed to
be said, our last farewells. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
moment came when he, together with his mom and grandmother, drove off. I was
content, I didn’t feel sad or anything, actually I feel happy for Rod, and
opportunity to study abroad is a rare opportunity indeed. I keep on telling him
NOT to SCREW UP. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Then
it hit me while I was on my way home, it dawned to me, a sad reality. That
there won’t be a person to make fun of you when you do something stupid, a
person who text messages you for no apparent reason but to annoy you, a person
who makes bad days even worse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">We
had our god times, well, mostly because we laugh a lot at my expense. You know,
when I trip he laughs, when I stutter in front of a girl I like he laughs even
harder, when I’m running across the hallway trying to make to class, he laughs
the hardest. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I’m
a little sad, sad that we won’t be seeing each other in 8-15 years. But as Richard
Bach puts it:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Never be dismayed at goodbyes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> A farewell is necessary before you can meet again,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Are <i>certain,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">for those who are <b>friends.”</b></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr2WYkvPfz_qVHBWC2Cy2BlHD80Gbz_-zgNNv7DcuD5EDR0IRzV8m4DgUGqa6OWRLEh7w7zYCYV4-4-Cytvg8MKk_KJM_fT_BGqL1FZk8g280Owzt3aLfv6O3OfYRDSEmoLL0fYnLpTDJ/s1600/noq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr2WYkvPfz_qVHBWC2Cy2BlHD80Gbz_-zgNNv7DcuD5EDR0IRzV8m4DgUGqa6OWRLEh7w7zYCYV4-4-Cytvg8MKk_KJM_fT_BGqL1FZk8g280Owzt3aLfv6O3OfYRDSEmoLL0fYnLpTDJ/s640/noq.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="640" /></a></span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-51699393878964689782013-04-23T02:11:00.000-07:002013-04-23T02:30:40.425-07:00I am (finally) a GRADUATE!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">I am (finally) a GRADUATE! </span></h2>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four years of hardwork and perseverance finally pay off as I
come up the stage and receive my much coveted diploma. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteleTwIrtloYIP-gix_atV0iACPXVP4zFUfwERm9WyuNcslKUGWzlDsSrG3mtW2NsIak8FR_faSumFE_Cj9aYZutycbjSwmAYJ4nI7q1QbLMsf9fQA11oZv5biUrp5hrH-cKA7Dlw7exx/s1600/576143_10200398081667105_696077332_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjteleTwIrtloYIP-gix_atV0iACPXVP4zFUfwERm9WyuNcslKUGWzlDsSrG3mtW2NsIak8FR_faSumFE_Cj9aYZutycbjSwmAYJ4nI7q1QbLMsf9fQA11oZv5biUrp5hrH-cKA7Dlw7exx/s640/576143_10200398081667105_696077332_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">posing beside me is my mom and my aunt who has helped me a lot to get where I am today. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<span style="font-size: small; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A journey four years in the making</span></h3>
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Ten, te, te, te, ten, ten, ten, te, te, te, tennnn,nenen, ten
ten ten ten ten, ten tenennen tenenen
tenenenennnnnnn!!! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The music is solemn and loud as 870 seniors walk up the aisle
not to get married, but to graduate. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I celebrate graduation with mixed emotions. I am extremely
delighted to have graduated as an honor student, yet also saddened by the fact
that me and my beloved batchmates, have to part ways. Each and every one of us
will pursue our dreams and sadly, we won’t be seeing each other for a long,
long time. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four years seemed to have come so soon. Wasn’t it only
yesterday that I entered the doors of F. Torres High School as a freshie? And
now, as I bow at the stage, after I have received my diploma, I glance at the
oval, staring at all my classmates, my
family, and my teachers, and say to myself: <br />
<br />
“This is it.”<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcDNNFj8nmcCDvvHB7q4mjra2RffCA3a998fOUxlI46hwbavhyphenhyphenA7bUsEFwUDen7s_eKRRB5swY5YWtVSHTPtPGQjtWYGvDkPXRYBsIS0PrV8RWL2rCZkIcEVdJxK8Hv_RoJQTxpEWZPoJ/s1600/253714_10200393422070618_578442840_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcDNNFj8nmcCDvvHB7q4mjra2RffCA3a998fOUxlI46hwbavhyphenhyphenA7bUsEFwUDen7s_eKRRB5swY5YWtVSHTPtPGQjtWYGvDkPXRYBsIS0PrV8RWL2rCZkIcEVdJxK8Hv_RoJQTxpEWZPoJ/s320/253714_10200393422070618_578442840_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
That moment when you receive that diploma, is the
culmination of all those<br />
sleepless nights, days of empty wallets, and hours of
effort. You have to admit, its one helluva feeling. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Four years, so long, yet so short. Up until now, I still
wake up early get my towel and my uniform for my shower, and as I go out the
shower, I pick up my uniform then stop
short in my tracks, and I do a facepalm: <br />
<br />
“Wait a minute, there is no more school.” <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<h3>
<span style="font-size: large;">I reap the rewards of my effort</span></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">My name is spoken, “Adrian James Astorga” I go up the stage
once more, not to receive my diploma, but to receive my medals, “First
Honorable Mention.” I carry in my left arm, my mom, through hardships and
problems have always been there for me. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua3M3DHEqM9FY8U7Qru9W2lzn7tLpcKfLFzYKWh2ZFBaOv_CN67-tRGjxGPINKGZjJ7r-Hj-DfyB5mmC7iBNq7lmz8QqseFtVKBCmhcV93GGca2zZu0xhQGJMsdLqseZXUHosYbyC1tYM/s1600/156091_10151437524189123_1821687058_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhua3M3DHEqM9FY8U7Qru9W2lzn7tLpcKfLFzYKWh2ZFBaOv_CN67-tRGjxGPINKGZjJ7r-Hj-DfyB5mmC7iBNq7lmz8QqseFtVKBCmhcV93GGca2zZu0xhQGJMsdLqseZXUHosYbyC1tYM/s640/156091_10151437524189123_1821687058_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the Faculty of FTHS, bestow upon me numerous medals. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It is a great honor indeed to be an honor student of the 100<sup>th</sup>
batch of Excellence of Torres High School, yes you read it right, Torres
celebrates it’s 100<sup>th</sup> commencement exercise. Also another honor it is, to introduce the guest speaker, none other than, Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccATZvLNwDDuHyO6Hu5dqiOPXN_DtoFk7eQwKctyCEvPMblTIgyrAAvmZifQQYRd3fQWCXYJ-M8SLw1K3DlUjUB1NrlyCD5BdcvXywMnC0KLIifpzOEeHQR9TLoVxP3q53X3wFsceVxHK/s1600/317522_10151437514619123_770241091_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccATZvLNwDDuHyO6Hu5dqiOPXN_DtoFk7eQwKctyCEvPMblTIgyrAAvmZifQQYRd3fQWCXYJ-M8SLw1K3DlUjUB1NrlyCD5BdcvXywMnC0KLIifpzOEeHQR9TLoVxP3q53X3wFsceVxHK/s640/317522_10151437514619123_770241091_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I introduce the guest speaker, Mayor Alfredo Lim</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hands clap, and my medals are put over my neck. This is a
great achievement for me indeed. I am thankful, very very thankful. I would
have never gotten this far on my own, there were a lot of people that helped me, my mom, my aunt, teachers, and a lot of friends. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tvhDgZUi4R-s14AJ5NWep0AQQP7gLGhx9q-CPDNp7DroXxZUuBCgE6F8vvhBlvRohmEOBAKQ49VqrUNOROR3vi3J69w0UeIxhKpcoggUpVXESG-AqoZ-IEaGALbcbfwiHRoh_b-zGz54/s1600/526951_525145887523869_744623523_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_tvhDgZUi4R-s14AJ5NWep0AQQP7gLGhx9q-CPDNp7DroXxZUuBCgE6F8vvhBlvRohmEOBAKQ49VqrUNOROR3vi3J69w0UeIxhKpcoggUpVXESG-AqoZ-IEaGALbcbfwiHRoh_b-zGz54/s640/526951_525145887523869_744623523_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">presenting the honor graduates of the 100th batch of Excellence </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The end of a journey and the beginning of another</span></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX1rZguT99iPoX-S2GlyZTZanLjX5FXmykZOX4n-s0crHawn39BNV_MX9yLhpGRr06CUhMbXvGhNaPYgjIvPMolX39sn-GI5Hw1gvSmbwlrngHViZgZ15hAyNa7XD50UrrRjf1r76ujHU/s1600/577667_10200393453151395_1018591563_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBX1rZguT99iPoX-S2GlyZTZanLjX5FXmykZOX4n-s0crHawn39BNV_MX9yLhpGRr06CUhMbXvGhNaPYgjIvPMolX39sn-GI5Hw1gvSmbwlrngHViZgZ15hAyNa7XD50UrrRjf1r76ujHU/s400/577667_10200393453151395_1018591563_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my mom and I solemnly sing the Torres March</td></tr>
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As we sing the Torres March, together with my mom, who was also a graduate of THS, that feeling of sadness sets in, knowing that this would be the last time you'll sing the Torres March as a student. I try all my might to sing it with fervor, with solemnity, and with dignity.<br />
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And now, marching out of the oval, after a few pictures with my friends, I look back. The empty oval, my home for the last 4 years, but, the bird has to leave the nest right?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXXddM8EN03LPnTydWTDgSZFuzRuWIxIZAM5ieWakwm2kAHUv9HNif7F-5zUhE0TJTn7mLYeH3G3K65pC5A6rULuat5z6FFlUq3-cDKNfZRT0z3sPamZJg0RL49PSE6jolZwjnzPevF62/s1600/208712_10151437536504123_246062277_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXXddM8EN03LPnTydWTDgSZFuzRuWIxIZAM5ieWakwm2kAHUv9HNif7F-5zUhE0TJTn7mLYeH3G3K65pC5A6rULuat5z6FFlUq3-cDKNfZRT0z3sPamZJg0RL49PSE6jolZwjnzPevF62/s640/208712_10151437536504123_246062277_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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This journey was an adventure I wished, would've never stop, but it has too. I know the next journey would be even more difficult than the last-- College.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-85262380328148849802013-04-14T07:57:00.000-07:002013-04-14T07:57:01.301-07:00The love that sacrifices<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 22.0pt;">The love that sacrifices</span><span style="font-size: 22.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 19.0pt;"><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Love has many kinds, it grows into a lot of shapes and sizes. Some kinds of love are shy, others bold and still there is that one kind that is hard to find, the love that sacrifices, it is the love that is true, the love that is pure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Love isn’t all about you, it is about <b>us. </b>You can’t always get what you want, sometimes you have to let go of the things that you want. It’s about letting go of one thing to make somebody else’s life better. You do not do this simply because somebody tells you to, but rather it’s because it’s the <b>right thing to do.</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X52p6uIGcvDxn6lq5yJYepsW6VHphzeQkPFRl0qLSF31wSLCd9llQF0pHmj3iJRS5YVdYvyfWQQq6kqkzipvxyZQOPqPGoIySgI62r3xf2Zsv9hzMJ-jhI1h6hqdKA0CdCE6e62gOhcL/s1600/couple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X52p6uIGcvDxn6lq5yJYepsW6VHphzeQkPFRl0qLSF31wSLCd9llQF0pHmj3iJRS5YVdYvyfWQQq6kqkzipvxyZQOPqPGoIySgI62r3xf2Zsv9hzMJ-jhI1h6hqdKA0CdCE6e62gOhcL/s640/couple.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from
<a href="http://wejumptogether.tumblr.com/page/169">http://wejumptogether.tumblr.com/page/169</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">When two people really care for each other, they always try to meet halfway. However, there are times when no matter how much they want to reach a compromise they simply can’t. He needs sex, she’s not ready. He wants to pursue his dreams, she’ll never see him for a long time. She loves him, he loves another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">These things hurt, but people choose to let go, even how much they would get hurt, they want the person they love to be happy. They are willing to get hurt in order for someone else not to. These are the loves that <b>sacrifice.</b> He needs sex? She’s not ready, so she decides to let go, because she can’t give what he needs. He wants dreams? But he decides to settle down with the girl, saying that the woman he loves is the biggest dream that has ever come true. She loves a guy that already loves another? She learns to be content with just being friends. People care a lot more for others than they do for themselves, it’s true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">There was one girl that I really love. She is great writer just like me, and we fell for each other from being ordinary acquaintances to the best of friends, until such time that we decided to go into a relationship. The prospects were bright. Chemistry was no question because we really complemented each other. She was sweet, I was sweeter. She was caring, nice and smart, my ideal girl. Our break-up was not the result of a mighty row between us two, but because of someone else’s, her parents. We tried all we can to keep our relationship “hush-hush” but sooner or later her mom found out and we were given a choice: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Keep the relationship going, but she has to move to another school.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Or<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“End it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> The choice was hard to make since I would end up losing her either way. Long distance relationships hardly work out. And I know that in the end neither of us would be happy. But then I remember Anne, and her boyfriend John, who was about to have their first anniversary when John’s parents found out, and they found themselves in the same situation I was in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> She was given the same choice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> I made the same decision Anne made that day, I let her go. I still remember what she said that really made an impression on me:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“Our relationship will not only affect the both of us, I have to also consider our friends, I don’t want to be selfish to send John off just to keep our relationship afloat, I would rather end this than see all of us, me, John and our friends happy.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> When I asked if she still loves him after all this time, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">“When someone has been part of your life, they stay that way, so yes, I still love him, even if we are just friends, because we once shared something memorable.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> And from that day on, me and my former girlfriend are still very close friends, though we still love each other, we are content just that way. I’m happy where she is happy. Because I can still see her, talk to her, and laugh with her. And I know that we can’t love each other that way again, but I know that the memories we shared, the good times, the smiles, the laughter, the tears, will never go away, those memories will forever be in both our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> We are always faced with choices, choices that hurt us. But even if the choice hurts, we have to make it, just keep in mind that it will all get better. It might not lead to that fairytale ending you imagined, but it’s better than nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> Though we are sad, we cry and sob. We know that we did the <b>right </b>thing to do. And that is all that matters, that is the love that sacrifices.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-42974873481501585822013-03-31T07:59:00.000-07:002013-03-31T08:10:32.318-07:00Three powerful tips to write well<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-large;">Three powerful tips to write well</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ever sit down on your table, facing your lappy, Microsoft Word is on, and then you stare at your work…</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Guess what?</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.singleblackmale.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/blank-sheet-of-paper.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://www.singleblackmale.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/blank-sheet-of-paper.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://www.singleblackmale.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/blank-sheet-of-paper.gif">http://www.singleblackmale.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/blank-sheet-of-paper.gif</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s an empty page.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yep, we all get through that moment. That feeling of you want to write but you seem to be lacking something, somehow you cant transfer your thoughts to your pen, you can’t get that rush you get when your excited to write about something.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Believe it or not, I was once like you. Glad I took journalism class for three years, it didn’t go to waste. I learned a lot about writing.</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Read, read, read, read and read some more</span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My journalism teacher, Mrs. Adora Delgado, keeps on reminding us to read all the time. Yes, reading is an important factor in writing. Through reading different materials like magazines and newspapers, we read not just content, but, STYLE. We learn how to write our thoughts in a way that is both entertaining, and easy to understand. And what better way to learn style, than to read somebody else’s. We read and see for ourselves, how this writer, who is sure to be a professional, deliver his ideas, and how he/she merges with his story, making us part of it, being part of the story. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And in the words of my mentor in journalism, Kuya Kim Valdez:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Read to read, not just to read”</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://msbsclassblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/article-1001821-05522ab30000044d-974_470x535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://msbsclassblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/article-1001821-05522ab30000044d-974_470x535.jpg" width="281" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://msbsclassblog.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/article-1001821-05522ab30000044d-974_470x535.jpg">http://msbsclassblog.files.wordpress.com</a></td></tr>
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T<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">he ultimate reward of reading? </span> <span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Is developing your own writing style.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And one more thing, have you ever experienced writing a composition but somehow you stop dead, you seemed to hit a writer’s block, why?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can’t find the right words.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It’s like you want to say something, you move your mouth, but the words won’t come out. You suddenly become mute.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another thing we can gain from reading different materials?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A wide vocabulary.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A wide vocabulary does not necessarily mean using deep, intelligent, and unheard of words that only people with dictionaries can understand. A wide vocabulary means you have the right words, for the right situation, for the right time, and for the right ideas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine your vocabulary as sort of a bank, let’s call it the Word Bank. A bank offers deposit and saving transactions, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So for a writer that keeps on reading, he deposits words into the bank, and then withdraws them later when he writes, the more he reads, the more he can write.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then there is another writer, much like the first, but he doesn’t read that often, he doesn’t deposit words into his word account.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The end result? The latter writer, can’t write anything. Since he doesn’t have the words to do so. It’s impossible to withdraw from an ATM if your savings is empty!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mastery of a language is a prerequisite for any writer. You have to be able to write in a variety of styles of languages has, whether it’s slang or formal.</span><br />
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"> Practice, practice, practice, and even more practice </span></h2>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, practice makes perfect. "Perfect" meaning, you are the best you can be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A while ago I mentioned that developing your own writing style is the ultimate reward of reading.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://oregonchristianwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/writing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://oregonchristianwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/writing.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://oregonchristianwriters.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/writing.gif">http://oregonchristianwriters.org</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, you can’t develop your writing style without practicing it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are millions of writing styles, but there will always be one, and only ONE, for you, and to find that, we have to keep on honing our skills.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By practicing we get comfortable with our styles.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span> <br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Write all the time, when you have the time. "</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Writing when you have spare time can do wonders for a writer, especially if that happens often. You'll be surprised how good you'll get, without you even noticing. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sure it would take some time before you even see progress, but take my word, it would be worth it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">
Be inspired, if not? Get a reason to be </span></span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last secret ingredient to write well is to be inspired. All of the efforts you put into writing will be in vain without inspiration. Remember that every work you make is a part of you, and doing something without heart, without soul, will result to substandard pieces of work. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://courtneysking.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/inspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://courtneysking.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/inspiration.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from <a href="http://courtneysking.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/inspiration.jpg">http://courtneysking.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/inspiration.jpg</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting inspired means you have a PURPOSE.Every writer should write with a purpose, a mission, an aim.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Being inspired also means that you enjoy what you do. Inspiration also gives us determination to finish what we started. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But admit it, sometimes we say to ourselves:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I'm not in the mood."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then what you lack is inspiration. If you are not inspired? Get a reason to be inspired. Having trouble writing about something? LOOK AROUND, as a writer, as an artist, you are free to write about everything.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maybe you can write about the bee getting pollen as a sign of spring. Or maybe a reminiscence of your childhood, The sky is the limit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To be a great writer, one does not have to write about extraordinary things, but rather a great writer is one who writes about simple things, extraordinarily well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h4>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Final message? </span></h4>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Read</b> to extend your knowledge in writing style and vocabulary.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Practice</b> to apply what you learn from reading.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Get inspired </b>to enjoy writing.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So what are you waiting for? Get writing! </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Please do follow me on twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/adrianastorga26" target="_blank">@adrianastorga26</a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And like my facebook page : <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AdrianJamesAstorga?ref=hl" target="_blank">Adrian James Astorga</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also please do subscribe to my blog, and add me on your google plus circles. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-3665367533184679242013-03-29T01:34:00.000-07:002013-03-30T04:59:09.147-07:00One last Prom<h1 color:blue="" font-family:calibri=" font-size:20px=">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">
A Prom Like No Other <br /> JS Prom 2013: ONE LAST TIME</span></h1>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-cqDgXitIEjLzCafoZoSeCAkk1ZX0FMu4FeG9BfjgLppnMRhqi81-pOZZl_woEuWlVC2A6TPPF5Er3tyUvW8SPKMuEYs_o9kOZ9oki4rfQ-uw-fuRLJRoeQgDH1HffRxLe4NiqSpf4Vo/s1600/cot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-cqDgXitIEjLzCafoZoSeCAkk1ZX0FMu4FeG9BfjgLppnMRhqi81-pOZZl_woEuWlVC2A6TPPF5Er3tyUvW8SPKMuEYs_o9kOZ9oki4rfQ-uw-fuRLJRoeQgDH1HffRxLe4NiqSpf4Vo/s640/cot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The JS Prom Cotillion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h1 color:blue="" font-family:calibri=" font-size:20px=">
</h1>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Three words to describe the Juniors’ and Seniors’ Promenade of Florentino Torres High School: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>
Magic. Elegance. Memories. </strong>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong><br /></strong></span>
After two weeks of delay due to bad weather, finally, we celebrate prom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prom, the most awaited and most romantic event of the year, where couples dance the night away, and when kings and queens are crowned. Where love is in the air, and friendships are made even stronger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This is my last prom. I’ll miss my friends, everyone I hold so dear. My classmates all looked forward to this event. Our last hurrah. Being the emcee of this event was hard work, but being part of the magic that happened that night makes it even more worth it.
So this is it, our last prom.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
JS Prom Magic </span></h1>
<hr />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, there was magic when hundreds of Juniors and Seniors of F. Torres High School entered the oval to celebrate Prom. Magic indeed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You might ask what kind of magic there was that night. It was <b> LOVE. </b>And guess what? The theme for the JS was: When Young Hearts Beat as One.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm8ixkSCujIx_rCxIPw-Ro01yLX78sDi4Z1NZYogFNuRDoqeY8xPdTymwWmPF4Jkz0yT_U65gY4-bv_qx8gqXg4RwVlnhnUNU2LsraetIrG87DhXgT1GuddcnCbdTow0GNw-P0uBt5671/s1600/555411_496832990353052_1332967304_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm8ixkSCujIx_rCxIPw-Ro01yLX78sDi4Z1NZYogFNuRDoqeY8xPdTymwWmPF4Jkz0yT_U65gY4-bv_qx8gqXg4RwVlnhnUNU2LsraetIrG87DhXgT1GuddcnCbdTow0GNw-P0uBt5671/s320/555411_496832990353052_1332967304_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shin Maca with his girlfriend Bie Duenas<br />
as they hold each others' hearts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can bet that a lot of hearts came in sync and all came together to one slow rhythm.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b>
Nothing beats two people, slow dancing to that oldies love song. It was sweet and romantic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the midst of the chaos, the noise, and the glaring lights, there were worlds that were created. Lots of them. I saw a lot of couples, dancing with each other, simply enjoying themselves. Time seemed to slow down between them, this was their moment, just the two of them, not minding anyone else. I felt so happy for those people.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">People watched out for the famous couples, some even screamed out of pure delight as they watched.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7BLBi5T5b_H8qKRCeCvLiQi-L53fleHT3bzB7joaZJdkcuXg6Gql6K5Lb5i5bUm8X45IZ8os1UYPMTq32dwcHhXAIIuJiO2n2Ky2OCMAGp37b3mOht7WdxURVdeYK9cr0XpfzEas76Mf/s1600/525387_10200279498022588_1073724897_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7BLBi5T5b_H8qKRCeCvLiQi-L53fleHT3bzB7joaZJdkcuXg6Gql6K5Lb5i5bUm8X45IZ8os1UYPMTq32dwcHhXAIIuJiO2n2Ky2OCMAGp37b3mOht7WdxURVdeYK9cr0XpfzEas76Mf/s320/525387_10200279498022588_1073724897_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My very close friend Vin with<br />
Kio Ozawa.<br />
JS magic <3 p=""></3></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And me? Well, my tradition during prom? It was confessing to every crush I had that I like them, making up with old enemies, and dancing the night away with my special friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And one more thing, I didn't had a date. I'm not ashamed of it though, since I danced with a lot of women ;) In fact, I cant count how many I danced that night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you heard of JS Prom Magic? Its when you fall in love with someone you dance with during prom, and that person ends up as your boyfriend or girlfriend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That happened to me last year it became a summer romance, and I saw a lot of people going through the same thing that night. JS Magic, a great thing to see unfolding in front of you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Elegance</span></h2>
<hr />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hAi-EUFg2poxP1QvE_-DRUEG7GNUYw3gEiR9VOqQdxcCVXcMdO-fsvHVq6nriBOiC-KVZsYyCPaMRdiR1hze9ZNMpuQ6-3MPMvYiSUpjlupPG5SdueOyodjndP8GMPtGZlXENNNC6sa4/s1600/540896_10200279527783332_436317590_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hAi-EUFg2poxP1QvE_-DRUEG7GNUYw3gEiR9VOqQdxcCVXcMdO-fsvHVq6nriBOiC-KVZsYyCPaMRdiR1hze9ZNMpuQ6-3MPMvYiSUpjlupPG5SdueOyodjndP8GMPtGZlXENNNC6sa4/s400/540896_10200279527783332_436317590_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone went to prom in their best suits and dresses. Even if the outfits were simple, everyone looked amazing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DcIQOrlB01PAaBHGStLSYs9ehpvcI45q71mpHXQTLvf86H3R9G-C2sTMBV7Eu9m3KWPbnO02W5iGabRJ7Md1iZZy_dNu1_qrBADFrlrm7BTYJm4xgQ58geQyZrRZ9lBWo8zybqGHpDgD/s1600/555062_10200279518623103_1181106859_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DcIQOrlB01PAaBHGStLSYs9ehpvcI45q71mpHXQTLvf86H3R9G-C2sTMBV7Eu9m3KWPbnO02W5iGabRJ7Md1iZZy_dNu1_qrBADFrlrm7BTYJm4xgQ58geQyZrRZ9lBWo8zybqGHpDgD/s200/555062_10200279518623103_1181106859_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Who knew that the wallflowers of the class ended up to be a stunning vixen. Or maybe that nerd came out as the guy of your dreams.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for me? Well, see for yourself. ;)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A quick sidenote, our prom was postponed for days and because of this delay, the people who rented clothes ended up spending even more T_T but nonetheless it was worth it. Everyone looked great.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMCCtiuCwqya6Km66Jt1kmA-nUiOPI2GMho5UmDqgfD3PyW89dV7lEws39fGLpFumt7OGGbTLE_RQ6FppHFgEV6851y5Tis7g_gt4-xbhmBd7dSSwwmomj_2p4d3zHfHJ3l0UVljkQ8sG/s1600/306236_621844314499402_244394106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqMCCtiuCwqya6Km66Jt1kmA-nUiOPI2GMho5UmDqgfD3PyW89dV7lEws39fGLpFumt7OGGbTLE_RQ6FppHFgEV6851y5Tis7g_gt4-xbhmBd7dSSwwmomj_2p4d3zHfHJ3l0UVljkQ8sG/s1600/306236_621844314499402_244394106_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Prom King And Queen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Of course, the main event of the night was crowning the Prom King and Prom Queen. After weeks of screening and intense deliberation, we were left with ten, yes <strong> TEN </strong> candidates. (A quick FYI, my mom used to be prom queen, during her JS prom, and one more thing? My mom also graduated from Torres HS.) These ten are the epitome of people with not just irresistible looks, and appeal, but also talent. You have to admit, entering a pageant is hard, I've been there </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and I've done</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">that, and I will </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">tell you, that it is HARD. So congrats to our Prom King and Queen. They really deserved it. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPCovx3o5j3yYM_7XprWdSXOAmKjBCkswG8M52UzXYerhh6nYqjWmt2SFUkvB47F_96d_YwjzsDtTLFCoVh__GV0hBagKLXgLd9ZWGF_pFPHnjKNNTdLztT_EBPcFhXzFfaTIcgq6hNUT/s1600/313479_252780378191028_1597225272_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPCovx3o5j3yYM_7XprWdSXOAmKjBCkswG8M52UzXYerhh6nYqjWmt2SFUkvB47F_96d_YwjzsDtTLFCoVh__GV0hBagKLXgLd9ZWGF_pFPHnjKNNTdLztT_EBPcFhXzFfaTIcgq6hNUT/s1600/313479_252780378191028_1597225272_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Naomi Doroja, Prom Queen '13<br />
Photo credited to Mr. Anjoy Galope <br />
of Anjoy Galope Photography</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h1>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Memories</span></h1>
<hr />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the end, even if you had a date, even if you danced with a lot of people, even if you received that coveted crown, all of that would be in vain if you didn't make <strong> memories </strong> . </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zo9DNtFHpCkne15QH7o0-U4Im8JyNlXFbLfcVdt1kpKNnPGGYKmjf9pXjUbXkPUcjIHg7FKznlwkEF5M3V96mRA0ULu1Iq6D4U62FODsoLIheQfQoaHrZL9coiMGpxSNAN1u4TKx8N5O/s1600/11523_252781984857534_336798502_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Zo9DNtFHpCkne15QH7o0-U4Im8JyNlXFbLfcVdt1kpKNnPGGYKmjf9pXjUbXkPUcjIHg7FKznlwkEF5M3V96mRA0ULu1Iq6D4U62FODsoLIheQfQoaHrZL9coiMGpxSNAN1u4TKx8N5O/s1600/11523_252781984857534_336798502_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seniors from Rizal and Bonifacio<br />
photo credited to Mr. Anjoy Galope</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Avr1yYxkIQLaA-M6ku1pHoUy1Y1yGJBi9Vktk_zbQ8BvYwEilRvsxQcGQuuAlQ3DbcZqmjXNr_BQM4B0NimHinwt57ntRF303ZOPAaAeGFe1N8X4PB8j_nVfuY-riZg0YQ9GTEQigD6/s1600/295694_10200279514503000_1646384708_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14Avr1yYxkIQLaA-M6ku1pHoUy1Y1yGJBi9Vktk_zbQ8BvYwEilRvsxQcGQuuAlQ3DbcZqmjXNr_BQM4B0NimHinwt57ntRF303ZOPAaAeGFe1N8X4PB8j_nVfuY-riZg0YQ9GTEQigD6/s1600/295694_10200279514503000_1646384708_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my bestfriend Rod Malaca</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi6Sr-CpgEjpiFSfUyJdXGXxuHiWEqm3i-LGenTceVYAVaqkG1p1mZHjv7_Z4gHfJAoOolQRJp3W6hRV23LBuuNh7NLfEmDylxWflvyuKKM5IgVnIIwm8-rlbbzGQbbrUPZFeRhjU6-EK/s1600/3511_621840711166429_1174214027_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi6Sr-CpgEjpiFSfUyJdXGXxuHiWEqm3i-LGenTceVYAVaqkG1p1mZHjv7_Z4gHfJAoOolQRJp3W6hRV23LBuuNh7NLfEmDylxWflvyuKKM5IgVnIIwm8-rlbbzGQbbrUPZFeRhjU6-EK/s1600/3511_621840711166429_1174214027_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with my Partner Vee Velasco</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And to make <b>good</b> memories, you need to have <b>great</b> people, people that made high school the <b>best</b> four years of your life.
I'm so happy to spend prom with guys that really became a part of my life, no matter how long, or how short, our times were. Making prom possible was a journey indeed, and working with the people that made it happened was an honor. One of the memories I will cherish was being the Emcee of the event. The work was tiring, but definitely worth it.
Prom is about having a good time, making memories, memories that will last a lifetime. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dancing the night aw</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ay with my classmates made this JS prom, special. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you Por-Wan Rizal for that. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQMTFU7DrPgTSBy9QDT7EYNyrojItahGEe6wgxXwArrX5wH5hTP3dR8RMjOAbL7xCDqeKQ4lHxjZCl1JPfPGCBhVp1w9rRY-eYx2-zc6_ZbgIcl3m0hce4XbWjEaaIFh5IvgpFGz5pJ9i/s1600/226530_517909241580867_1630014440_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQMTFU7DrPgTSBy9QDT7EYNyrojItahGEe6wgxXwArrX5wH5hTP3dR8RMjOAbL7xCDqeKQ4lHxjZCl1JPfPGCBhVp1w9rRY-eYx2-zc6_ZbgIcl3m0hce4XbWjEaaIFh5IvgpFGz5pJ9i/s1600/226530_517909241580867_1630014440_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IV-Rizal</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the night ends, so does the JS Prom end, (and this blog post too!) </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU1nGjLe0TxpXVaE8SFkQRuP7SEsbGyKH7is4x78CvFXr-zb_Sk4_X1PL_NAcn_B3-YRLxX1JXHHCB3Q_D4a3dXJz6fJMoEP36lZyRPY4dv8SGSOu1gqizOHMXNO7H-CDnklR1DUOiWlu/s1600/166774_517910291580762_431193892_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNU1nGjLe0TxpXVaE8SFkQRuP7SEsbGyKH7is4x78CvFXr-zb_Sk4_X1PL_NAcn_B3-YRLxX1JXHHCB3Q_D4a3dXJz6fJMoEP36lZyRPY4dv8SGSOu1gqizOHMXNO7H-CDnklR1DUOiWlu/s1600/166774_517910291580762_431193892_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">IV-Rizal</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The JS prom was a truly memorable experience.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a night where everyone was beautiful, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a night when love was in the air</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a night when YOUNG HEARTS BEAT AS ONE. </span><br />
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A big thank you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AnjoyGalopePhotography" target="_blank">Anjoy Galope Photography</a> for his very impressive shots during the JS Prom.<br />
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3634974858586669973.post-41569383898439709102013-02-25T05:29:00.000-08:002013-02-25T05:29:01.674-08:00What if EDSA I didn’t happen? <br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;">What if EDSA I didn’t happen? </span></h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">27 years after EDSA I, a daydream of a honor student</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn’t born on February 25, 1986. I didn’t see what happened that day. I look at my computer and search YouTube clips of the People power as the revolution. I watched as the people began celebrating the fall of a dictatorship and the rise of a new democracy. And I think about it, I ask myself:</span><br />
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<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">“What if EDSA I didn’t happen at all?” </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I think, then slowly fade into a daydream.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuaJZzxZG_5CqCnMVmr_ER3rxmraDNWjUdaj-IGIGIWCU6u6iLAsfP-r2-dNwLE37ytlBpHQfO3vVT3oxufqXnSa4L6UqlffVQpYnUBRb3TYRYdHIGepbWR1KifeDbcbt3MATHpshhnbQ/s1600/EDSA+NOW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuaJZzxZG_5CqCnMVmr_ER3rxmraDNWjUdaj-IGIGIWCU6u6iLAsfP-r2-dNwLE37ytlBpHQfO3vVT3oxufqXnSa4L6UqlffVQpYnUBRb3TYRYdHIGepbWR1KifeDbcbt3MATHpshhnbQ/s1600/EDSA+NOW.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The year is 2013, and Manila is quite. People stay at their homes, afraid to go outside. The faces of the people are filled with pity and fear. 47 years of despotic dictatorship have made the people become hopeless.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ferdinand Marcos is long dead, yet one of his cronies took his place as the new dictator. I turn on the T.V. and I see the news, news that probably is controlled by the government. The news anchor reports about a writer arrested for writing bad things about the regime.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The video shows a man being led away, to a jail cell. I feel pity for the man. So saddening that this man, who simply stated his own beliefs, wrote his convictions and showed his want for change is now being arrested. It is only now that I see a person get arrested for saying the TRUTH. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Journalism is dead. All you see in T.V., all you hear on the radio, and all you read in the newspaper, is all propaganda. All meant to praise the regime and fool the people. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUIDGnK7v1ZtqhGjwgxg362BuoIsSMLkd01q8dy0kHNPwOLETBe-xJDSRcAE7gYXJ6OfojLiSl1vMTkhMNbPj5CRmqGWFtZCkPYAU4H09VTzuQM6Y5RQEnBSG5PPWfArFzt72-FaRrjqe/s1600/EDSA+NOWWW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUIDGnK7v1ZtqhGjwgxg362BuoIsSMLkd01q8dy0kHNPwOLETBe-xJDSRcAE7gYXJ6OfojLiSl1vMTkhMNbPj5CRmqGWFtZCkPYAU4H09VTzuQM6Y5RQEnBSG5PPWfArFzt72-FaRrjqe/s1600/EDSA+NOWWW.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look outside the window, and caught sight of a few teens sneaking away. Most of the youth don’t go to school anymore. Some joined the resistance. Some became rebels and went to the mountains. Everyday, I see more of them get taken away to a truck. Where the truck goes? That I don’t know.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just last week Aling Nene’s eldest son, Carlo was taken and loaded to a truck. Aling Nene begged the guards to be merciful. But the guards didn’t budge. I haven’t seen Carlo ever since. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day in and day out, people remain at their homes. They do not leave. They are oppressed, hungry and hopeless. The parents don’t go out for work, because there are no jobs. They are stuck at their homes, dreading and cursing each day that passes.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3u1vC1U4LsKdb1jAREXOJqII9BBMLv_iSABbOkAMC5KsIeGflQbHvzmkpn5IMN5nuQMwrPbx-ct-6TO6bv9NkUpkSO07dpH9jUFHPra0vJWt5sd-F4d7NpKx9zaNw1m2cIRAR91ZIuK1/s1600/EDSA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3u1vC1U4LsKdb1jAREXOJqII9BBMLv_iSABbOkAMC5KsIeGflQbHvzmkpn5IMN5nuQMwrPbx-ct-6TO6bv9NkUpkSO07dpH9jUFHPra0vJWt5sd-F4d7NpKx9zaNw1m2cIRAR91ZIuK1/s1600/EDSA.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Children do not play in the sun anymore. Parents get mad at their children if they want to play outside. The children are taught</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to be quite. For even the slightest of noise can irritate the guards. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are no banderitas, no festive sounds. All is quite. There are no fiestas, no celebrations.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is night, and the curfew is in effect. I gaze again out the window, and saw a man walking alone, he was trembling. He knew that the guards will take him away too if they caught him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From behind him came two more silhouettes. They wore uniforms and were rushing to get the man. He man looked back and tried running, but he cant. The guards were gaining on him. The man trued all his might, but he got caught. There was shouting, out of pure desperation the man punched one of the men in uniform. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He broke free and made a run for it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then one of the guards got something from his hip. The object was black as the night. He aimed the object at the man running. He squeezed the object with intent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time slowed down. The silence of the night was broken by a loud sound came from the object the guard was carrying. Time still moved slowly. The man fell to the ground. Lifeless. Dead. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gunshot was so loud that I awoke from my daydream. I have beads of sweat on my forehead, and my heart was pounding hard and fast. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I look myself in the mirror and I say to myself:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">So this is what happens, if there was no EDSA I</span>.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">(c) adrian james astorga (c) thoughts of a honor student
COPYRIGHT POLICY: You may use part of my blog provided that I will receive credit and will be NOTIFIED where and what for the blog will be used.
please notify me via email </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08721579220475645795noreply@blogger.com0