And as she lives, she laughs and smiles

Writer's Block: Sharing Haikus

Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:21:24 GMT

The Japanese haiku poet Basho once wrote, "Old pond / a frog jumps / the sound of water." Try writing some of your own haikus about the little things in your life. A haiku generally consists of a five-syllable line, a seven-syllable line and a second five-syllable line. You can also use any combination of ten-to-fourteen syllables.

View 500 Answers

This was our lesson last week! I made mine with my seatmate, Jem!

This was our haiku:

1.On the grass it grows
The tulip sways with the wind
It's petals smiling

*Kigo: tulip

2. I sit on a shade
Of a lazy maple tree
As its leaves fall down

*Kigo: Leaves falling down..

Here is another Haiku made by me last June. This was the first Haiku that I have ever written

Trees in the summer
Gives off a breeze of springtime
Makes me feel happy

To see through my eyes
A wonder made by man's hands
Gives my heart's tranquil

Oh, my heart desires
For the future to see
This awe of nature

I was inspired by Bohol's Man made forest. This approximately 1 kilometer drive dates back to the '50s. I wish people would continue to make man made forests today :)

The Present and the Future

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 10:36:02 GMT

It's been almost a month since my last post (The last one didn't count- it was very short and it wasn't even that good). Lots of things have happened in the past month. Right now, I just happened to realize that I haven't made an official post for August.

Last August 8, 2008. Something happened that have changed my life not just on some sort of way but in a MAJOR kind of way. Nope, it's not the Beijing Olympics . By the way, Team Philippines brought home only ONE GOLD and it doesn't even officially count as one since it is only an exhibition (specifically in Wu Shu). But still, I'm happy because I know that they all did their best for our country. There's still the 2012 Olympics in London anyway (The double decker during the closing ceremony was really cool).

As to what I am saying earlier, the news that have changed my life was this: My mom gave birth to a healthy baby girl in The Medical City last August 8, 2008 at 10:48pm. (Sorry if I have not mentioned here in my blog that my mom is pregnant) After 13 years of being an only child, I now have a baby sister (sho-be as what the Chinese call it) and I'm now an older sister (A-chi). I'm just so happy when I spend time with her and I can't wait for her to turn three or six so that I can dress her up like a Barbie doll or something. Here are some of her pictures:

[+These pictures were taken when she was still in the The Medical City (the hospital). This is also where my mom works as the head nurse of the Delivery Suite.+]

Here name is Xyrene Lheiz since my mom's name was Irene. I originally proposed Zyrene Lheiz but my dad Changed the "Z" to "X" since my uncle's name was Xim. Lheiz is my dad's name spelled completely backwards (for his name was Ziehl). I also have it on my name (which is Aira Lheiz) and I think it's one of the most cool and unique part of my entire life since I only know two people (which is me and my sister) having the name Lheiz. Some people may have it but most of them use it as a nick name.

Many people are often shocked by our 13-year age gap. It's really a long period of time and there might be times where it would be difficult for us to understand each other. But lately, I have realized the economic advantage of a 13-year age gap; specifically in education because I'll already be graduating college by the time she will be starting school. So it wouldn't be much of a worry to my parent's pocket. Also, hopefully, by that time, I've already have a job so I could help my parents in raising my little sister.

As what I can see, becoming a responsible A-chi is a great challenge that I would be happy to take

As for my future, I still haven't decided which course to take when I go to college. There was a Career exhibit in our school last week. It was manly for the Grade 9 and 10 students but the guidance councelors also encouraged other levels to visit the exhibit. And so, I went with Ate Roszene, my friend from Grade 9. She went to the booth of FEU and I couldn't find her so I wondered around alone. Then, a lady from the booth of the Emilio Aguinaldo College asked me "Do you know what you would like to be?" and I told her "I still haven't decided since I wanted to do many things in my life. I want to be a pilot, a linguist, and a biologist". She asked me what year level am I in and when I told her that I was from the Eight Grade, she told me "Why don't you decide which is number one, number two, and number three. And here is a brochure of our school. On the back is a list of the courses we offer. Other schools also offer the same courses." I smiled and said "thanks" . She smiled back and I walked away. I also got this mini magazine, "International Sudent Guide in the US". I grabbed it because I'm quite interested on how college works in the US.

Right now, I dont want to worry much right now of my future. But still, I hope that when the day comes that I need to make a decision, I would make the right one. I don't want to end up procrastinating things that I do, otherwise I wouldn't have any success in my life because I wouldn't have anything finished. My life would be a total mess if that happens....

Me in school nowadays.

The First Quarterly Exams finished two weeks ago. The FirstQ went okay but the exams were quite challenging to me. I never thought that being in Eight Grade would be this hard.

Intermediate Algebra
This is the hardest exam I have taken this quarter. The challenge was not really on the mind but on the speed. The items were not really hard but they are just too many for an hour and a half. I really didn't expect to get an above average score on this one because after I took this test, I got really pessimistic and I really expected to fail. Math is not my best subject but still, I like it because unlike other subjects where you only need analyzing, ( I am not saying that analyzing or other subjects are not important or not challenging for me) solving equations makes my mind not only analyzing once or twice, but it makes my mind analyzing continuously. It's like having my mind on its most active state.

English
This exam is not that easy and not that hard. I can say that I did a little well here in English than in Algebra. So far, I see English as the subject that I apply the most nowadays since reading and writing are two of my favorite hobbies. Last week was reserved for our oral test which was formal debate, no a very formal debate, we had to wear business attire for two days. The topic that was assigned to pur group was The Corruption of Truth and the Truth of Corruption and we were in the PRO side. Our group's motion was this: that corruption is not only evident but RAMPANT here in the Philippines.

Statistics
This subject is 30% part of my math grade. This was the easiest exam this quarter.The exam was over 50 and I got 57 (yay!). I like this subject as much as I liked our last year's elective , which was Business Math.

CLE
Also a very hard exam. I found the FAN (For, Againts, and Neither) test really hard. It's a test where you are to read and analyze an article and afterwards, there are given statements and you will decide if each one of them is For the article, againts the article, or Neither; which means the statement's got nothing to do with the article. CLE is one of my favorite subjects but I always found it hard since Freshman Year. I find many things so abstract in CLE.

Biology
This is my favorite subject!. The exam was not that easy and not that hard.

Filipino
The exam was also okay. I got the highest score here (yay again!)

Araling Panlipunan/ Social Studies/ (Asian History)
I also got the highest score here along with Luisa and Angel. Among all the exams, I enjoyed this most because I liked the test where you will find what's the item that's different from the group and you will explain what it is. Example. The Given items are: Caste System, Calligraphy, Sanskrit, and Vedas. The Answer would be Calligraphy because it is a contibution from the Chinese Civilization. All the others are contributions from the Hindu Civilization.

The Second Quarter is going fine for me. I just realized that this is the only weekend where I didn't have homework to do. Oh, except for one, which was the signature campaign againts the Reprouctive Health Bill (which was not much of a hard task). And I'm so happy that I filled up the whole page. I don't want to post up my opinion about the bill because honestly, I haven't done much research about it. All I know is that if this bill would be approved by the congress, the worse thing that could possibly happen would be a proposal of the bill that is pro abortion.

Until then,

Aira

may your swords stay sharp

My first day in school: Another week-late entry

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:23:49 GMT

I was supposed to post last week... Then we had a problem with the internet connection... **weeeeehhh**

I was thinking about doing this post on my Multiply because I think it needs serious updating. Then I realized that most of my classmates (and schoolmates as well) would read it for they have accounts in Multiply. Not that I'm hiding from them or something but them reading my opinion kinda makes me feel uncomfortable. Another thing is that they probably might know all this because I've done this whole First Week thing with them all along. And so here it goes:

Tuesday, June 10, 2008. My cellphone and alarm clock haven't ringed yet when my mom's wet hands touched my shoulder to wake me up. I opened my eyes and see my mom smiling at me. I smiled back and greeted her a good morning. I slept well; despite the fact that I only had four hours of sleep.

And so I did my usual morning routine. I ate breakfast with her mom. Her shift was 6am-2pm that day and I was glad to be with her as I prepare for my first day in school. I think I had Tuna omelet and fried bananas for breakfast that morning. My mom asked me if I would like something to drink but I decided to drink water only.

After breakfast, I brushed my teeth. Then, I put my uniform on. I missed that white dress with only the navy blue leather belt putting color in it. Wearing it for the first time in two and a half months made me feel sticky and warm like I haven't taken my shower yet. I'm not used to it already.

As I wait for my school service to fetch me, I read a few pages in Inkheart. Meggie (the character in Inkheart) read Tinker Bell out of the book that time and Basta and Capricorn (also characters) was doing their usual business- being evil that time. After about 30 minutes, my service came already.

When we arrived in school, I walked my servicemates Angelu and Kaye Anne. Angelu was leading us. When we were to pass thru the guard's gate, she hesitated and took a step back towards me. Then she whispered "Aira, ikaw muna" (Aira, you should go first) I was curious but I didn't hesitate to walk first. When I walked pass the lobby, the whole student body was already lined up. I realized that the first bell already rang. I felt a bit embarassed. Some of my batchmates were really staring at us smiling in a teasing way. I didn't have a choice but to walk. I didn't have trouble searching for my class; There was a classmate of mine lined in front with a sign that says "8-Amethyst". So I went at the back of the line and sat like an Indian like all of my classmates.

My adviser was Ms. Asi. She was also my adviser in 5th Grade. Our classroom was located in the third floor- beside the classroom of 8-Topaz which was nearest to the staircase. I sat with Chelsea. The other people sitting in our row was April Norms, Angel, Louise Belle, Justine, Karla, and Alessa. Rapunzel was also on my left. She always asks questions to me even during our freshman year :-)

I can't recall everything we did that day. But I'm sure that I went home at exactly 12:30nn.. I love it when we were in half day schedule.

But I remember a few things: I talked to Ate Janine and Jane during dismissal time. Ate Janine borrowed my Kitchen Princess manga (Cristel borrowed it during the last week of school and returned it that day) and she (Ate Janine) agreed to lend me her copy of Twilight...

I don't know how to end this entry.. I'm really excited to make another entry about Twilight!!!

Forgive me for my sudden wierdness...

A virtual difference

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:30:54 GMT

Okay... I have lots to blog about but first, let me post this- my virtual tree in Carbongrove- a Carbon Reduction Reminder service. Users just need to watch their tree grow by clicking the reminder weekly and after six weeks, Internet Explorer will plant a real tree. Notice the butterfly on my tree- I think that symbolizes my first week because I noticed other trees already have other animals like bears and deers. I think it works like this- the longer you watch time your tree grow, the more species you get :-) My tree is bamboo and it's planted in Sumatra Forest. It is home to 10,00 plant species, more the 200 mammal species, and 580 bird species. I chose this forest because of one particular reason: I live in Southeast Asia- where the Sumatran Forest is located (LOL)

So here's my tree

It's really amazing.The fact that you get to contribute to the environment without leaving your house makes me feel really good.

Plant your tree now! Go to www.carbongrove.com to help save the environment

A blog entry from Spencer of iCarly!

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:28:29 GMT

I'm so happy that iCarly is already airing on Nick here in the Philippines! I watched an episode yesterday and it was the episode where Carly's grandfather wants her to move with him in Yakima!. I just checked out their site and here is a blog entry from Carly's brother, Spencer. (I think he's really awesome and funny :-) )

What a Strawberry Splat MIGHT Say to a Blueberry Banana!

Whenever Carly goes to The Groovy Smoothie, I ask her to get me one. I USED to get the "Strawberry Splat" smoothie, but then I switched to the "Blueberry Banana" smoothie. If a "Strawberry Splat" smoothie had a CONVERSATION with a "Blueberry Banana" smoothie, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY? I think it MIGHT go something like this…

Blueberry Banana: Hey. How’s it goin’?
Strawberry Splat: I hate you!
Blueberry Banana: Why???!? What did I do???
Strawberry Splat: Spencer USED to love MEEE!
Blueberry Banana: Well, sorry. It’s not my fault I taste better than you.
Strawberry Splat: That’s a lie! I’m VERY tasty! Way tastier than you!
Blueberry Banana: Oh YEAH? Then why does Spencer wanna taste ME now, and NOT YOU anymore?
Strawberry Splat: I don’t know! You’re evil!
Blueberry Banana: No -- you're just MAD 'cuz I'm a newer, better, and younger smoothie than you. You WERE tasty -- like 3 years ago -- but that was then. I'M what Spencer wants NOW.
Strawberry Splat: I'm STILL yummy, no matter what you say!
Blueberry Banana: Not really. You used to be all smooth and good. But now, you’re too thick and lumpy. Why don’t you join a gym or somethin'?
Strawberry Splat: You are so mean! Blueberries are stupid! They aren’t even blue! They’re PURPLE! Admit it!
Blueberry Banana: No! And strawberries are weirdly shaped and have big pores!
Strawberry Splat: I just want Spencer to love me again!
Blueberry Banana: Hey, we all WANT things. Maybe you can date Lewbert. But as for SPENCER -- I'M the smoothie he wants to be drinking now.
Strawberry Splat: Maybe. Until The Groovy Smoothie starts selling their NEW flavor next month: KIWI-PEACH!!! I hear it's gonna be the prettiest new smoothie EVER!
Blueberry Banana: What?!?!?!?!?!!
Strawberry Splat: Yep. LOL. Hahahahahaha. Loser!
Blueberry Banana: Awwwwwww!!!!! Poo!!!

This I-M conversation has been entirely made-up by me. Thank you. –Spencer ;)

GO SPENCER!! our toilet water is also blue :)

Rainbow: An update of what has been happening in my life

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 16:01:16 GMT

I updated my Multiply today :-) I love the new layout I used there: Rainbow stars! I hope that LJ would upload the new cool layouts from the HP layout contest :-) Even though I'm not yet a long-time LJ user, I'm enjoying the site, especially the people ( thanks to: arlihamametallicbubblex ,) and the communities... I kinda prefer LJ over Multiply hehe because Multiply is really slow!

Nine more days before school.

We finished covering and labelling everything this afternoon. I'm quite excited about the new school year and I'm kinda expecting change for some things in school First of all, I'm not going to be an acolyte anymore. I won't be serving in the Mass regularly because I've finally decided to become a writer for Sparks. (will be missing KOA/LOA a lot though ). And I'm kinda handling a confidential (which means, by all means to be kept to myself forever) pre-SY2008-2009 situation right now (Status: Under Control).

anyways

I'm enjoying what's left of summer! Two days ago I was playing with this cute puppy our neighbor has. She's only one month old and her mom is a Chou-chou and her dad is a German Shepherd. She's really a sweet dog.. she loves to cuddle on people's feet. She's not yet fond of crowd though, she's shy-type! I'm so happy that her owner (i think his name is Kuya Renato) gave me the privilege of naming her! I suggested cute names like Cinnamon, Vanilla, Strawberry and our final choices were Aqua, Summer, Brownies, Fluffy, and Rainbow. And we ended up naming her Rainbow!

I suggested that name because her collar was rainbow colored! And she's so cute and fluffy that she could bring a rainbow to people's lives! I will try to post pictures of her.. If time would allow...

Yesterday we went out.Andrea didn't want to come with us so I brought her sister (and one of my BFFs) Angelie.First we went to see my lolo's wife who just came home from the States in my Papa Biyo's place in Sampaloc. There were people there that I'm not quite familiar with because they were my lolo's wife's relatives. There was even one girl whom Angelie knew because she (the girl) used to study in her school!

When I got out of the car, I saw my Tito Mike and gave him a bday greeting (coz his bday was May 30) He was playing chess with Norman (hmm speaking off...paging Angelie!!). My dad teases him and Angelie a lot because there was this time... uhh.. nevermind that's confidential hehe. Next there was my Tito Xim. I teased him because when I texted him that David Cook was crowned American Idol, he replied and told me that he got lost in a bet in theis office (for his bet was Archuleta). lol..

Then there was Papa Biyo.. and Lola Nanet and then my lolo's wife Lola Linda (I finally remembered the name) came down from the stairs. When she saw me, she was like "This is Aira already??" I gave her a kiss and reached out for his hand to make mano... Then we ate Palabok (which I didn't quite enjoy) and a glass of Coke Zero (which I enjoyed hehe)

We spent about an hour in Sampaloc. Afterwhich, we went to The Medical City to fetch my mom from work.. and then we went to Market! Market! to buy school supplies

I was really happy that my mom helped me choose a new binder! Because I still have- a spare from last year that I haven't used yet. I'm not really happy with the design of that binder.... (but I'm not saying that I won't use it) The design of the new binder was cute . It's really glam! and the quality of the fillers inside was better than the one I used last year (the one with the dog design).

Then, this morning, I woke up at 10. I think.. unofficially.. I was the first one to get up inside the house. It's unofficial because my Ate Honey woke up early to shop in the market but she was asleep when I woke up. I really liked our house when it's quiet ( like right now.. coz I'm the only one who's not in bed). Involuntarily, I drank a glass of water. I wasn't satisfied so I drank again and again until I had about five glasses of water and my stomach really felt heavy. Out of boredom, I decided to take a bath.

Few hours later, I made the first thing that made sense today. I went down to the Computer shop and printed out my labels on the sticker papers that I got from nowhere (I just found them in my room with some other stuff when I was cleaning my room about two weeks ago).

then we ate lunch (Tahong and beefstake)

and rested a little

then we covered everything I needed for school...

After that, my mom played Collapse here in the computer... when she was finished.. I played and surfed the net

We searched for Paella recipes because she wanted to experiment. And then we found the recipe for Chicken paella.. she told me to copy it and so I did... and it was utterly loooonnnnnng!

Few hours later came Angelie.. we surfed.. and played games... and made her an account in GaiaOnline

Then we had dinner (which is obviously Chicken Paella)

then Angelie and I surfed again....

at around 10:30 she went home

and here I am

typing this

utterly long

Journal entry...

hope it makes sense

and so that's it

-the end-

Lots of love,

Aira

blitzer_miki</div>

Writer's Block: Your Theme

Fri, 23 May 2008 07:03:17 GMT

If your daily life had a theme song, what would it be?

View 501 Answers

It would be the song "Wonderful Crazy" by Katelyn Tarver because I believe that I'm the kind of girl who does not give up just too easy. Just like my mom, I'm willing to fight for my side especially if I believe I'm right. !

Welcome to a new day
Don't know whats on the way
But whatever it is I'll be ready
On your mark get set go
Here's the show and the road
But with you it's a load I can carry
And with each breath I would take it
Every moment gonna make it

CHORUS
It's a wonderful crazy
It's a beautiful out of control
Kinda scary amazing
But I don't really mind at all
It's like I'm falling, flying, laughing, crying
Hanging on and letting go
Cause my life' so wonderful crazy crazy

Some days get intense
And breakdown my defense
But I'm here and I'm not giving up
Gonna take in the sights
On the ride of my life
Living just to survive's not enough
So much love to discover
I don't need any other

REPEAT CHORUS
It's a beautiful crazy
I'ts a beautiful out of control
Kinda scary amazing
But I don't really mind at all

David vs David on American Idol!

Tue, 20 May 2008 12:21:47 GMT

A battle between two Davids!

17 year old David Archuleta who had experienced acting and singing competitions...

and

25 year old Bartender David Cook with an emo-ish edge

It's quite hard choosing between them! They're both talented, and good looking (LOL)

But one thing is for sure: The next American Idol's name would be David!

American Idol Gallery Widget

Tue, 20 May 2008 12:05:28 GMT

Answers attack

Tue, 13 May 2008 06:16:10 GMT

Another site where I kill my time on the net.. I actually have fun answering question mostly in the "Arts and Humanities" and "Entertainment and Music" categories.. And I'm on Level 2!! haha and I need around 600 more points to get to level three...

MY SHOTI DAILE IS HERE!!!

I finally found my new favorite song

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:19:04 GMT

"5:23PM" says my clock. It's been almost a week since my last post.

In the past few days, I really want to blog but the problem is, I don't know what to blog about. Until last night at around 11PM, I finally found something to blog about.

Last night, I checked the profile of rosepetalsalad (<http://community.livejournal.com/rosepetalsalad/>it's a nice community.. check it out!), a community I joined here in LJ to check what the current theme is and it was something like black and white photography and movies/videos. I didn't have anything like that so I checked out other posts instead. I was in the tenth post when I saw this video.

"Your Eyes"

After I listened to this song, I immediately went to Youtube to comment on the video. I really think that the music and the lyrics is good and the guy singing it really has talent. And I also think that he's like American Idol's David Archuleta (not kidding). While I was listening to the song for the second time, I read the information on the video and found out that that song is the first song that he ever wrote and actually finished . Man, I wish that I could write that good. Well, I could write lyrics but my problem is music. I can't come up with a good melody and I'm not really that good yet with the guitar :p

After playing this video for about six times, it suddenly became my new favorite song. (My last favorite song was When you look me in the eyes by The Jonas Brothers).

Here's the lyrics. It's really sweet.

Your Eyes ©2008

Words don't come easy
I can not speak
each moment that passes
my heart skips a beat

I look in your eyes and I see
A vision of you and me

*Come take my hand and together we'll fall
in love forever and we'll have it all
it's love at first dance and they're playing our song
nothing can stop us tonight
cause I've already seen it when I looked into
your eyes*

People around us are starting to stare
They all can see that there's love in the air

If they looked in your eyes they would see
a girl who's the star of my dreams

*Chorus*

Take my advice
You don't have to think twice
cause we've got the rest of our lives
and the future looks bright
in your eyes

Come take my hand
It's love at first dance
We're in love forever...

I even converted the video to audio so that I can upload and listen it in my iPod!...

Let me end by saying this : Subscribe to paint1487's videos.... you won't be disappointed! listen to his other songs too!. I also find his other song... "Above the clouds" very inspirational.

http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=paint1487

♪♥♫LIVE.LOVE.LAUGH with MUSIC!♪♥♫ font>

Women in flying missions

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:15:32 GMT

Another one of my articles!. For this article, the requirement was to interview the person who is in the field of profession that you want to be someday. I emailed the site, gURL.com and asked for information about Ms. Jennifer Wolf, a pilot in the US Air Force for the interview and the site instructed me to send them my questions and they will be forwarding them to Ms. Wolf but they can't promise that she will respond. I waited for almost a month and I recieved nothing. Ten days before my deadline, I still have not recieved the answers so I decided to deal with what I got. I gathered all the information I could get and made a personality profile out of it. I quite had a hard time doing it. I had writer's block when I started writing it. What I did was I kept on writing and rewriting. Everything I come up with was really.. (hmm.. let me look up a term for it..)..... not-so good?.. trashy? I guess. I finished writing it two hours before the day of the deadline (that was 10 pm or April 23 and the deadling was April 24.) and I'm so happy that my mom was there to correct my grammatical errors. In the end, I was happy that despite of my writer's block, I still finished this article of mine. I'm not completely satisfied though.

Women in flying missions

I was surfing through the web pages of gURL.com, a site for teenage girls when I first saw a spotlight interview with a person whom I gained interest with because she is in the field of profession which I would like to be someday.

Jennifer Wolf is a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. She started her training in the United States Air Force Academy just after graduating high school. There, she received a Bachelor of Science course with an emphasis in History, and a commission into the USAF as a Second Lieutenant. Before graduating the academy, she was selected for Undergraduate Pilot Training which is a separate school. After graduating the Academy, she became a commissioned officer, but she was not yet qualified as a pilot. Four months after, she started Pilot training and after a year; she graduated pilot training with her wings as a fully qualified pilot. She will also be in another school to learn about the Lockheed C-130 Hercules. Once her training is completed, she will finally go out into the Operational Air Force and start flying missions.

She will also be flying the Lockheed C-130 Hercules (“a cargo plane that can pretty much go anywhere”, she remarks) out of Ramstein Air Base in Germany in a few months. I searched more about this plane and found out that the plane is capable of short takeoffs and landings from unprepared runways. This cargo plane also has found uses in a variety of other roles, including as a gunship, and for airborne assault, search and rescue, scientific research support, weather reconnaissance, aerial refuelling, and aerial fire fighting.

On her interview with gURL.com, she was asked what college was like and if she had typical college classes and she answered: “I actually had anything but the typical college experience. I went to the United States Air Force Academy, which is a military university, like West Point or Annapolis. At the Air Force Academy, I had to wear a uniform to class, march to lunch and live in the dormitories all four years. My core classes consisted of a ton of engineering and science. Once the core was finished, I got to choose the rest, and preferred mostly history.

The upside of my experience was making some of the best friends I will ever have, getting to play Division 1 soccer, graduating with a Bachelor of Science, a guaranteed job and no college loan debt. The downside of the deal was that I did not get a typical college experience with dorm parties, sororities or the ability to own a car until I was a junior. “

Jennifer Wolf is also an enthusiast of the Brazilian sport, soccer. During the 2006 Armed Forces Women Soccer Championships, the Air Force women won the championship game against Navy and she was part of the team.

Another question on her spotlight interview was this: “What do you think is the biggest misconception about women in the Armed Forces?” And she answered: “Where to begin? Women get a bum wrap because the military is a traditionally masculine profession. I've heard somewhere that female military pilots are less than 2% of all pilots, and because we are so few, every woman is under a microscope. No matter what misconceptions men (or women) bring with them about women in the armed forces, all you need to do is show them you are awesome at your job, and most of the time attitudes change rapidly.”

Agreeing on what she said, many people do think that being on the Armed Forces is a job reserved only for men. I have also heard of a few men in the Armed Forces telling women that the standards were lowered for them to “make quota”. But for me, I think that it doesn’t really matter if you’re a male or female. I think that they should work together because each of them has weaknesses that the other can “cover up” with his or her strengths. For example, many people believe that men are stronger physically while women are stronger emotionally.

As I read more of her spotlight interview, I stumbled on a quote which somehow made me realize how determination can bring you somewhere else. Somewhere that is more than you have ever expected. It is when she was asked of the best and the hardest part of flying. I discovered that what she said does not only make sense when it comes to flying, but also in all walks of life. The hardest part is the academics of pilot training where you have to learn everything about it to become an expert. Then, comes the best part as she stated: “Every flight brings a new experience and challenge. I can't sit around and do the same thing over and over, so for me, the best part of flying is the fact that I can go to work, challenge myself with something new every flight and land in a location that I have never seen before. ”

When one applies it with his goals, there is a great chance of succeeding. Every day does bring a new experience and challenge and you can’t just do the same thing over and over. You just have to be brave to walk the path to the other side of the rainbow.

Finally, Jennifer Wolf gave an advice to those who wanted to be part of the Armed Forces: “Anyone can do it, there are just a lot of hoops to jump through, so don't get discouraged. Educate yourself on the many options that can lead you into a flying career. It is a long process--and at times can be difficult--but just remember it's all worth it. I have the greatest job in the world, and wouldn't change anything about it! “

Sources:
http://www.gurl.com/showoff/spotlight/qa/0,,648254_704891-1,00.html. Retrieved April 20, 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-130_Hercules. Retrieved April 23, 2008

A teenager's opinion to the so called Philippine brain drain

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:50:50 GMT

This is the first draft of my opinion article. This is one of the summer works given to us during the Sparks workshop. I really had fun making this article!

A teenager’s opinion to the so called”Philippine brain drain”.

Summertime is finally here again. A time for fun and relaxing activities like visiting cold places like the Baguio and Tagaytay, swimming in beaches, lakes, or pools, or simply staying at home sharing quality time with your family and friends. But summer isn’t just a time for all of these. It is also a time where professionals (and aspiring professionals) are expected to grow in number since College graduation just took place all over the country.

I researched the internet for the total number of college students who graduated this year. After three days of clicking, typing, and browsing web pages, my research resulted to nothing. Instead, I stumbled into a phrase which is quite unfamiliar to me: brain drain.

What does brain drain mean? I looked for the meaning of this word and according to Merriam Webster; brain drain is the departure of educated or professional people from one country, economic sector, or field for another usually for better pay or living conditions. I also found a lot of sites saying that among the countries in Asia and the Pacific, the Philippines is the country with the highest amount of brain drain.

I asked some people this question: “Ano po bang masasabi ninyo sa kumukonting dami ng professionals dahil mas pinipili nilang magtrabaho sa ibang bansa?” (What can you say about the decreasing number of professionals because they choose to work abroad instead of here?) I only chose two because almost all of their answers share the same meaning.

“Unang una, dahil sa mas mataas na sahod. Pangalawa, experience, at pangatlo dahil mas maraming job opportunities sa ibang bansa”* (Rommel Catolico, 29, waiter,)

“Dahil mababa ang sweldo dito. Mas mataas ang sahod doon. At saka mas madaling makahanap ng trabaho doon. Dito sa Pilipinas, kahit na sabihing mong nakapagtapos ka at nakapasa sa mga board exams, kakailanganin mo pa rin ng maraming requirements at mahirap talaga maghanap ng trabaho dito.” (Malou Ong, OFW)

All in all, based on the people I have interrogated, higher salary and more job opportunities are some of the causes of this brain drain.

I also believe that the main cause of this brain drain is poverty. Most of the Filipinos believe that even if they have a good job here in the Philippines, still, the money that they are earning is not enough for them and most importantly for their family which makes working abroad an alternative for them to give their family a good living.

How brain drain plagued our country? According to Wikipedia, there were only 730,000 migrants before. Then, during the Marcos regime, with the need of an outlet for a fast growing population, he (former President Marcos) convinced many Filipinos to work abroad. In time, the 730,000 migrants grew to nine million Filipinos working abroad (that’s more than 1 out of every 10 Filipinos). And every day, more than 3,100 Filipinos leave the country. Now, the 10 percent of our population is composed of Filipinos working abroad.

Today, the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) became a pillar of the Philippine economy. I remembered one of our school teachers, Ms. Arwin Padilla telling us during one of her good day talks that the number one export product of our country is not an agricultural product like rice, tobacco, or hemp but the number one export product of the Philippines is the OFWs. And I think that the best evidence for that is this: Who among us today doesn’t have or know a family member or even a close friend that works overseas?

I feel sorry not only because of the fact that as time passes, this nationwide decease becomes harder to cure, but also to the families they leave waiting for them patiently here in the Philippines. I mean yes, with them working abroad, they could provide a better living for their families but think about the good times they couldn’t take part of because they’re away. I haven’t experienced the feeling of being so far away from my parents but I have seen it through some of my friends and classmates and I must say that it’s really doleful.

Looking on the bright side, working abroad is a chance for us to show other nations how talented and skillful we Filipinos are. Do you know Monique Lhuillier? She is a Cebuana fashion designer who designs clothes worn by many Hollywood celebrities like Diane Lane, Britney Spears, and Katie Holmes. And if you are an avid fan of the Disney Channel Original Movie, High School Musical (like me), then I think it’s a must to know that Vanessa Anne Hudgens, the actress who plays the role of Gabriella Montez is a part Filipina. Aside from them, there are still many Filipinos who have been on spotlight abroad.

Aside from that, the remittances of the OFWs contribute to a higher dollar fund in our country which is effective in international purposes like importing and exporting goods and purchasing oil.

At the end of the day, our government still has to do something about it. We are all familiar of the ZTE-NBN deal crisis that our country is facing today. In my own point of view, I think that the government should not invest on big projects like that. They should consider that the Philippines is a developing country with an economy which is not that stable. Instead, they should pay attention to other problems that our country is facing today such as education and health. How many schools today lack teachers?Is one small medical center in a barangay enough to attend to the needs of thousands of patients? Most of all, our government should also open more job opportunities not only here in Manila but also in the rural areas. I think that it is a start for us towards a lesser brain drain rate.

I often fantasize about how the progress of our country would take place. I often think that if the dollar rate would continue to go down, our economy would improve. If that happens, there is no need for OFWs to go abroad. Do you think that little dream of mine would come true someday? My parents told me that yes, it is possible but it would take a very long time. I wish that dream of mine would come true soon.

Let me end by congratulating all the graduates of batch 2008. I wish them all the best in serving our country as professionals. And also, I do hope that the number of our country’s professionals would increase like the temperature this summer. I hope everyone; despite of the many issues that our country is facing today would have a nice summer vacation. And remember St. John Bosco’s words, “Vacation is a change of Vocation”.

*-First of all, because of the salary, second, for experience, and third, more job opportunites are offered abroad"
-"Because the salary here is low compared abroad. And it is a lot easier to find jobs there. Here in the Philippines, even if you finished your studies and passed board exams, you still need a lot of requirements."

Earth is my element

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:23:13 GMT

Your Element Is Earth

You excel at planning and strategizing.

You could be a champ at chess or Survivor.

Well grounded, you are able to be realistic and rationalize.

On the inside, you have a hard core. It's tough to phase you.

You are super productive, and you are able to think anything through.

Focused and super charged, your instincts are a good guide for your next step.

What's Your Element?

I just took this quiz. It's quite true, I do like trusting my instincts.

But I'm not really into chess... I don't even know how to play the game!

A week late Earth Day entry

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:11:26 GMT

Last Sunday, I watched Al Gore's documentary, and I'm so happy that my dad was there with me to watch it :-) (Now my dad teases by calling me "environmentalist")

It's not my first time to hear about Global Warming. I was in fourth grade, and about nine or ten years old when I first heard it. I didn't really care about it and it's effects that time. Until it was given emphasis during the previous freshman year in our Environmental Science class.

Global Warming (or greenhouse effect), when summarized into a sentence is the accumulation of heat in the earth's atmosphere causing the rise of global temperature. It's effects? aside from having more typhoons and the change of temperature and weather's pattern, global warming causes ice glaciers to melt. And if it melts, low coast lying areas will be submerged and we lose our main source of freshwater.

Global Warming isn't just an ordinary issue that we face today. We have to unite and do something about it. The earth is our home. Our only home. And we should take care of it so that the following generations can still appreciate the beauty of our home.

We should save water. Use pail and dipper instead of using the shower and use glass when you are brushing your teeth.

We should save electricity. Do you know that solar energy is as cheap as the daily newspaper? (source: Discovery Channel) So why go on with the traditional electricity when there is a cheaper alternative?...

There are lots of other ways to save our planet... and if we do our best in saving our home, I'm pretty sure that in time, the world will be a better place to live in.

GO GREEN! EVERYDAY IS EARTH DAY!

David Archuleta!

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 06:32:48 GMT

I love David Archuleta and I think that he should win this year's American Idol!. I love his performance during the top 6 week. He surprised Andrew Lloyd Webber when he decided to sing The Phantom of the Opera's Think of Me. I was also surprised when I watched his performance online because Think of Me was written for a girl and it has really high notes and yet, David A impressed the judges by converting the song's genre to rock-ballad! He really does have a nice voice..

Writer's Block: Almost Famous

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:32:29 GMT

What do you want to be famous for?

View 501 Answers

I want to be famous for being a singer-songwriter environmentalist pilot.

Singer- Songwriter

If I ever became a singer- songwriter, my genre would most likely be pop or anything (exept country!) like what Vanessa Hudgens did on her album, V. According to her, V doesn't only stand for Vanessa but it also stands for variety, which is most likely true because the songs on her album comes in different genres .. from pop.. to rock... even rap!. I also would like to become like Hannah Montana: half superstar, half girl next door . Her songs totally rock!

Environmentalist

Global warming... acid rains... ozone depletion.. plants and animals! I love dealing with stuff like that especially in our Environmental Science class. Speaking of environmental science class, I will surely miss it especially our teacher, Mr. Donato Soberano.. aka Sir Donz. He's a really cool teacher. He does not have a really bad temper when it comes to discipline but he can manage the class well. He likes giving pluses in quizzes and stuff so you better be prepared whenever he calls you for recitation. Anyways, going back to being an environmentalist, I think that famous celebrities should be the ones to promote being eco friendly or "pro environment" because they have the ability to influence hundreds of people. I read this article in CodeRed mag by actress Miriam Quiambao and she said that during the past years, many celebrities (including her) became environmentalist. In the end, a lot of people followed their steps. And that's the reason why I would like to be an environmentalist after being a singer-songwriter.

Pilot

Being an aviator is one of my greatest dreams. I love action and adventure and I think that being a pilot is the key for them. I want people to know me like this : that singer?.. I heard she campaigns for Greenpeace and she's a pilot too.. no way! that's so cool!... (^.^)

Kinda crazy eh?

I'm a strawberry ice cream!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:02:24 GMT

You Are Strawberry Ice Cream

A bit shy and sensitive, you are sweet to the core.

You often find yourself on the outside looking in.

Insightful and pensive, you really understand how the world works.

You are most compatible with chocolate chip ice cream.

What Flavor Ice Cream Are You?

Strum-dedum

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:55:07 GMT

You Should Play the Guitar

You're very independent - both in spirit and in the way you learn.

You can teach yourself almost anything, even if it makes your fingers bleed.

You're not really the type to sit patiently through a music lesson - or do things by the book.

It's more your style to master the fundamentals and see where they take you.

Highly creative and a bit eclectic, you need a wide range of music to play.

You could emerge as a sensitive songwriter... or a manic rock star.

Your dominant personality characteristic: being rebellious

Your secondary personality characteristic: tenacity

What Musical Instrument Should You Play?

I'm an ice cream cake!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:17:30 GMT

I took a quiz in blog things.. and I turned out to be an ice cream cake!...

You Are an Ice Cream Cake

Surprising, unique, and high maintenance.

You're one of a kind, and you don't want anyone to forget it.

You're fun in small doses, but it's easy for people to overdose on you!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

I'm gonna start writing my final article later..!! I'm just looking out for inspiration...

I just watched Alladin this afternoon..

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:32:04 GMT

I just watched Alladin on Disney this afternoon.... I'm totally into movies this summer...

Among the tv shows that I'm currently watching .. I now love:

Hannah Montana (Jake Ryan is so cute...)

Drake and Josh

The Naked Brother's Band (Real brothers. Real music. Not really naked.)

My friends tigger and pooh ...(hahaha.. yeah.. I watch playhouse Disney sometimes)

Little Einsteins (i love their trips with their little rocket ship)

im
so
bored

Writer's Block: Back in Time

Sat, 19 Apr 2008 09:57:36 GMT

If you could travel in time, which era would you visit and why?

View 501 Answers

This is an interesting question.So if i could travel back in time.. I would go and visit the RENAISSANCE PERIOD!!!....

But before I could go back in there, I would research on how to make lightbulbs and memorize it.. Then when I get there, I would make friends with Thomas Edison.... and help him in making lightbulbs! (what a history spoiler).

After I go to the renaissance, I will time travel to the Victorian Era. I always dream of living a life in the 19th like Beatrix Potter. I love the Victorian houses, dresses, and tea parties!....

I would love to go time travelling at any era exept for one- the future. I would not like to ruin God's surprise for me!...

Thinking.Tyiping. Rethinking. Retyping

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:21:58 GMT

I'm so busy my writing assignments. I have lots of ideas for them but I find it hard to organize them.. Which one goes first... which one's last.. what to write.. what NOT to write..

I'm afraid because my teacher might find tons of grammatical errors in it.

I feel gawrshy. But because I don't know what to do or what It's because as I said earlier, I can't organize my ideas... They're like a big bag of jellybeans of different colors and you need to put the same flavors together.. hmm.. what makes it hard? some jellybeans look the same but taste different (like Cotton Candy and Bubble Gum flavors.. they're both pink).. that's what my ideas are like....

Jellybeans. yummy little Jellybeans..

The Hapag Video

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:39:30 GMT

The video of the Hapag ng Pag-Asa, (The Table of Hope).. just as I promised

Coming Soon: My reflections about this marvelous painting...

P.S.thanks to Youtube...

Even an ordinary teenager can, within their own small ways, turn on a small light in a dark room.

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:32:57 GMT

"We are all ordinary people...But even an ordinary secretary or a housewife or a teenager can, within their own small ways, turn on a small light in a dark room. " - Miep Gies on The Freedom Writers.

I was inspired by this quote while watching The Freedom Writers for the second time this afternoon. This was the part where Erin Gruwell invited Miep Gies to speak in their class after they have read the story of Anne Frank but I'm not really sure if the real Miep Gies really said that.

In the past few years growing as a Salesian kid, I have read and heard other things similar to that: Making Differences, Standing Out, Giving hope... and every time I would hear them my reaction would be saying this thought over and over again in my mind: " I'll try my best to make a big difference in this world". I even consider that phrase of 12 words a cliche. But when I heard this quote coming from the lips of Pat Carroll, the actress who portrayed the role of the woman who helped Anne Frank and her family, it sure got me thinking an idea way to different from the way I usually understand quotes, or sayings, or let's just say stuff like that in general. I consider it first time because I wasn't really aware of that line when I first saw the movie.

   If I would look at this quote in the usual way that I'm talking about earlier, I'm pretty sure that I would end up telling myself that the message of this quote is simply making a difference. But this time, I found some thing far more better than making a difference: ANYONE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I know that this sentece is kinda usual but it's unusual for me because for once, I have defined a "making a difference quote" with a new meaning. (Does that mean I'm already making difference in this world?.. just kidding ). Let me explain this idea by giving an example of a person who made a difference by putting little people who made big differences into spotlight. The man who owns the brush that stroked this painting, which somehow created an impact in my heart.

   This painting's title is "Hapag ng Pag-asa" or "The Table of Hope" by Mr. Joey Velasco. (if you want to know more about him, visit his site at: http://joeyvelasco.com/). There is a video about this painting, it's like the behind the scenes of this painting featuring the story of each child present in that revised edition of The Last Supper. It all explains how he made a difference. I promise to post the video after I finish this post. Mr. Velasco made a speech to our school's graduating class during graduation this year. I hope he made the speech last year instead, so me and my batchmates would hear his inspiring words.But it's ok. His entire speech was published in Sparks, our school's official publication. There, I have learned so many great and inspiring things about him. Most especially, I have learned that he is a Bosconian.

   What I'm trying to say here is nobody in this world has the right to judge somebody because within his own small ways, he can turn on a small light in a dark room.

Reflecting on everything I have written today, or tonight, rather; I think it's about time to ask myself a series of "making a difference questions" like Do I give light? Where does my light come from? How can I make a difference? How can I turn on that little light in a dark room? How can I encourage my friends to do the same? I believe that as early as thirteen years old, I better start finding the answers to these questions. And If I find them, and applied them well in my life, I can truly say to myself that I have made a difference.

   I may not know many things, or not that interested about Miep Gies or Anne Frank but at this point of my life, I think I want to be like them. I want , like I said earlier to make a difference...

And by the way, before finishing this post, I read about Miep Gies in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miep_Gies) and found out that the scene was based on her visit to the school in Long Beach. I'm happy to know that she's still really alive, living in Amsterdam. She's already 99 years old. And I believe that she survived to tell the wonderful tale of Anne Frank to the whole world.

I must admit that while watching The Freedom Writers for the second time, I totally forgot that the movie was based on a real story... I must include The Freedom Writers Diary on my book wish list!

I would love to keep on writing but I think it's time to give this odd shaped box (a.k.a the PC) a rest...

I will really really really try my best to make a big differece.... (with cherry on top!! hehe)