Memoir

[journals-ejsph-blog]

Chapter --- (Sample)

Note: This is only a sample fragment from the manuscript of my working novel titles. All written here are based on true events, well of course will a fictional twist. This entry may change without notice to whoever reads this.

P.S. The whole chapter is seen from the point of views of two main characters, but this sample is seen mostly from only one character. (Though I really want this as a chapter, but damn I’m so lazy)

Leaving the gymnasium felt different for their team that day. They achieved a goal of getting the top three. Most of them felt emotional for how far they’ve reached for the team.

Roan led a prayer of thanks, most of the girls were crying with joy, nearly ruining their make-up.

Declan confronts Everett and gave him another warm embrace. It was a tighter one then Declan heard sobbing. “Are you crying? Like for real?” Declan was aware of how oblivious that question was.

“Yes,” Everett answers, sobbing.

Oh wow, he thought. For a moment, Declan didn’t know how to react other than a pat on the back. Whatever sadness and grief Declan had the night before, it was replaced with merriment. Still caressing Everett for comfort, the crying finally stopped.

Grasping each other’s arms, words came out of Declan’s mouth, “Listen, you were good out there, all of you. You made it to the top three, that’s a first. That was your best performance yet, and I know you’re gonna get better next year and after that. Enjoy this moment because you earned it. All the effort you gave for past months were worth it.” He tried to wiped the tears from Everett’s face but he remembered that his handkerchief was used to support Everett’s shoulder.

Heading back to the open space, most were taking pictures of the trophy they got. Everett and Jes were picking the plushies used earlier. Declan took one of the Rilakkuma plushies, “Can I keep one?” referring to the big plushie.

“Not that one,” Jes responds. He took the plushie and gave Declan a smaller one, “That, you can keep.”

“Fine, I’ll name him Noah.”

[journals-ejsph-blog]

"The Long Journey of a Literary Revolt - How it Began"

"Why did I choose Communication as my course again?"

Of course. To use my skills of media and cultural awareness on the novel that I'm trying to brew up.

"Why is writing a novel my ambition again?"

To express my views. I'm aware that I have a deeply-different view to the typical cliches of society. I'm not much fond of what's currently mainstream. 

"Speaking of which, why don't I read local mainstream novels?"

Why should I?

                                                    * * *

When did my bibliophilic habits began?

I admit that started to be fond of reading novels ever since 'The Hunger Games'. I was so amazed by the movie that I was willing to read the whole series, which is a great marketing strategy for the books' part. Though I didn't immediately read 'he Hunger Games' series. But I was fond if there are upcoming movies that are book-based. I've read and watched 'The Fault in Our Stars' and 'Divergent' and was able to spot the differences of the book and the movie.

Maybe that's the first sign of it all.

Then I tried to read the 'Anne Frank diary' and 'World War Z', which I didn't finish due it's literary structure. The way it was written, I may not immediately understood it, but I like the way the authors wrote it.

                                                     * * *

Some of my friends suggested me to read local novels, though I immediately reject it. I can't tell why, but I just can't. I'm aware that the media was trying to make book-based films just like Hollywood. But then I was disappointed when the book they choose is not much of a 'book' as I can tell.

Three years ago, a website named Wattpad was made by Canadians to express their art of wring and for some fans of some sort to make fan-fictions. i've read fan-fictions and some Wattpad novels before, not from local writers. I try to read some local Wattpad novels, but I always encounter the same theme, a crappy-love story.

I had a thought "Is this what mt fellow people wanna read?" I view themes way too low compare to other works. I never read a single Wattpad novel ever since.

                                                     * * *

My dislike for local novels became worse when I notice some of the top-selling local novels have typical themes, 'for broken-hearted', 'life being single' etc. I then question myself "is this what people read these days?" 

Just when I thought it can't get any worse, it did. Local publishing companies began to acknowledge the presence of local Wattpad writers, which is a good thing, but the works they print and publish are just fan-fictions of the current K-hype.

"Are teenagers these days think of nothing but lovelife? God what's wrong with society?"

I've been despising people who are actually fond of the works of those what I call wannabe-writers.

I view a 'writer' or an 'author' as a person who expresses their own art in writing and a the same time, leaving a deep message that the people can't immediately catch. i view them as people with a hidden ambition.

                                                     * * * 

[journals-ejsph-blog]

"Aquaphobic"

Story from a week ago....

It was my typical Wednesday morning, always hectic but it's the midweek. I came for swimming class and nothing new was taught, just practicing the same routine since the previous week.

Though something we didn't expect is that we'll have a practical on the far side of the pool, the deep part. Thing only factor I have on that part of the pool is that a small part of my head is still able to reach the surface, I get few chances for air. I never knew how to keep myself afloat on the water. Most of my blockmates did well. Able to swim from one side to the other. When it was my turn, it went well. But after I got half of the side, that's where trouble began.

                                                    *  *  *

I got a sign when I can't seem to rise to the surface immediately. My body starts to go down the water. I knew I was drowning, though I look like I'm trying to go to the other side on a lazy matter, but I really was drowning. I started to lose my vision due to my inability to get up from the water for more than a second, but I was able to see a glimpse of my distance to the other side. 

All of the experiences of swimming of my childhood included drowning, at the beach, at a resort. But I was always get help at the first sign of danger.

Some of my blockmates noticed the wild movement of my arms like I'm trying to reach something from thin thin air. But even if my blockmates try to help, I'm too far from any of them, they won't make it. My prof does a have a pole with him, but I can't grasp the pole, my weight can't handle the and my prof might fall in the water. I'm running out of time, I need to act fast or I'll lose consciousness on the water.

                                                     *  *  *

I can see that I'm one-third to the other side, I just have to get on that side. I attempt to swim in a diagonal direction, making my way to other side in front and at the same time to the shallow same to my right. I was no use, I only moved a few inches, still far to the other side. I tried another method. I steadied my feet from the bottom of the pool and leaped at the same direction. It was working, though not good enough.

I notice that I'm only four feet away from the platform, I leaped one last time and able to grab the platform. I made it, but I'm still at the deep side of the pool, I must have moved only a few inches to my right. At least I'm no longer drowning. I tried to move to the right up to the ladder at the shallow side. Some saw my terrified face on my way. Out completely out of the pool, still looking terrified but relieved.

                                                     *  *  * 

I sat on the ground for five minutes, breathing deeply and shivering, not out of the cold but out of fear. I finally got up and went to the bench because of heat from the sun piercing through my skin. I try to process the whole thing, it was the first time I saved myself from drowning. Realizing that it all happened fast, I just feel lucky enough to get out of the water.

But everytime it rains, I somehow remember the fear on that situation. The feeling of water above, something that even I can't seem to understand.

I didn't attend swimming class the next week, feeling the not the fear of water itself but my fear of drowning and my fear of inability to escape.

[journals-ejsph-blog]

"Patrem"

Here's a kid's tale about a father.

There was a woman who carries a child in her womb. Of course it's the responsibility of of the man and the woman to take care of the unborn infant. the woman gave birth to a baby boy. Seven months pass, the man fled from his responsibilities, leaving the woman and her child vulnerable.

Months later, the woman met another man. The two fell in love despite the fact the woman has a child of her own. They decided they to head on and the baby now holds his new stepfather's family name. The boy never grew up like other typical boys did, the boy and the stepfather barely bond to each other. The stepfather is a low-tempered,close-minded, vicious, and dauntless man that tends the solve things through violence. Years pass, boy and his little stepsisters commit little mistakes, being kids as usual, but in certain occasions, the stepfather punishes his children with pain. At a young age, the three children, the boy and his two stepsisters, have a fear of their own father. Of course the mother always come in for her children's defense and the stepfather rarely comes home since he lives with his parents, working. The children are always safe with their mother's amity.

Years pass and the children are now teenagers. The mother discovers that her husband is having an affair with another woman. Though the mother let it through since making a scene would worsen the problem and would be a risk for their future. They respect the mother's amity as they thought of the possible consequences. Well, the stepfather's behavior never changed. The mother swore that once he (husband) tries to harm her children, she will fight back. The mother is not aware that her son had a promise of his own, that once his stepfather tends to harm her, he will stand for his mother's defense and fight back. A dauntless act which is typical among first-born sons.

Right now, the son wishes for two things: the reason why his father left, and independence.

I feel sympathy for the boy, it's like he know's what I'm going through.

[journals-ejsph-blog]

"Graduation (Throwback)"

I stopped making journal entries entries since Seniors' Prom Night and resumed during my 2nd semester in college.

Though I have an unpublished entry for 'Graduation':

This is it, Graduation Day! Well for the others of course.

Despite the fact that I'm one of the 4 students deliberated for summer, I make sure of myself that I won't be left behind. 

I have a classmate name Peachy. After her numerous absences, she was deliberated as a 'repeater', of course I took pity, not because I have another chance for graduating, it's because of the fact that someone's left behind.

As I go home, mentally prepared myself for summer class in 3 weeks.

Now, Peachy graduated and I'm proud of her, truly I am. Also, my closest friends from the current batch graduated.

They'll face college in a few weeks, I promised myself to give them help when they need it just like the some members of the alumni helped me when I needed.

I congratulate the Graduates of Batch 2014!

[journals-ejsph-blog]

"The Case Study"

Weeks ago, we were required by our NSTP professor to do 'community service' on the barangay, school or orphanage. Well of course, I choose a school, my Alma Mater, Roces High.

Upon witnessing the changes in campus after our batch left, seems that some things never change... for the better.

The 'infamous psycho' seems to have a low profile, as of my observations. I suppose that he's afraid that he might get expelled if he gets called at the school's guidance office once more.

Let's have a recap about the 'infamous psycho'.

I first quoted him as the "kid who really showed complete ‘disrespect’ not only at me, but almost every student that person encountered." Also, he's the only kid that punched me and got away with it.

I tried to report him to the guidance office, seems that he's a 'regular customer' to the office 'cause of the number of negative complaints/records he had since he came.

He's known for his inappropriate actions, such as: physical offense to his batchmates, getting into fights with other students, lack of coordination whenever disciplined by a teacher, etc.

The office's practicum student made a case study about him and I find more 'interesting' facts. The case study states that he takes every 'indirect' as a threat. Also includes the fact that his 'friends' are avoiding him. Another reading states about him being 'emotionally sensitive', though I don't believe on that reading.  The last part of the study states that he's; a plot twister, pugnacious, running to the teachers for 'protection', being ignored, and weird.

I like the fact that most of readings give him a bad image. The thing is, as long as there's not immediate action applied, who knows what will be the outcome.

[journals-ejsph-blog]

"Eccedentesiast"

Despite the fact that I appear as a jolly, eccentric fellow, I rarely show what I really feel to everyone. I keep everything for myself.

And I say to everyone 'to be honest'. I can't consider my self as a hypocrite though. Maybe it's just that, being fully honest is not my thing. It's like my inner self is trapped on a labyrinth in my mind whenever I engage to serious situations. Yes, I do have a say on every situation, but I just can't seem to tell the complete details. Whenever I'm mad, down, disappointed, weak, I always manage to smile it away.

Even if I do show my feelings, it would a waste of effort. I mean, who the hell cares what I think? As long as I look fine with it, it doesn't really matter.

[journals-ejsph-blog]

"The 2014 Arc"

Last year was full of stories that I haven’t shared by the past months.

Now, 2014 will filled with new stories. I’ll meet new friends, new enemies, the old becomes the new.

I know I have to change my ways, but people don’t really need to make a huge change every New Year. Change is just natural. We let it happen anytime, we may not be aware of today, but we change, all the time.

Now, let life continue on this New Year!