smile because cab will buy you pizza

this is room 7's class tumblr. we don't believe in forever, but we believe in spanish bread and jagabee.

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1. Commentaries 

In #6 there was a question portion if they checked YES. Most of the answers were Yes because they think that asking their close friends would make a difference from making their decisions in life and it would probably change their opinion on the problems they are facing. 

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Fire Power

Fire, which results from the chemical reaction of oxygen with a fuel source, is one of the most essential and efficient forces to ever be discovered by man. It has been around since ancient times and is still, up to this day, used for several purposes due to its undying versatility. Fire provides humans and other life forms with heat and energy. Fire also aids humans in almost all their daily tasks, and, essentially, contributes to their ability to survive. However, fire may also be dangerous and may become a heavy factor in causing disasters. True enough, it would be nonetheless highly difficult to imagine life without it.

Out of curiosity, most, if not all people would wonder how fire was invented or who particularly invented fire. According to Greek mythology, Prometheus, a Titan god known for his being a clever trickster, stole fire from the gods and gifted it to the human race. On the other hand, Native American cultures believe that an animal brought fire to humans after retrieving it from an evil entity. Scientific theories on when humans first controlled fire were also created in order to supply an answer as to how fire was first encountered and discovered by man. Due to the numerous accounts as to how fire came to be, up to this day, the actual cause behind the invention of fire is still quite indefinite.

As to who was first able to manipulate and control fire, scientists believe that an ancient human ancestor known as hominins, from the Stone Age, were the first to have achieved this ability. This belief is aided with the fact that certain sites and places show evidence that the Hominins were, in fact, able to control and manipulate fire almost 350,000 years back. The ability to control and manipulate fire has also been associated with the rise of the human species. Several anthropologists believe that without fire, cooking meals even during the ancient times would be impossible, therefore ceasing the ongoing development and evolution of the human brain today, let alone the human being itself. This is because it is said that humans receive about 30 percent more energy from cooked food than from raw food, which is essential in allowing early humans to fuel a growing brain, further proving the essence of fire especially during the ancestral periods.

In conclusion, let it be said that fire is truly a very complex and highly useful thing in our lives. People have created ways to further manipulate and improve on the ways fire may be used, and will probably continue doing so to further develop and sustain the world we live in today.

-CODA

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Violence in Media by Purple11

People nowadays are viewing media on a regular basis especially teenagers and they get rid of boredom by watching TV shows, dramas, videos online while their parents are very busy with work that they don't have time to check if their children is watching a television show that is appropriate for them. Before giving your teenagers the freedom to be exposed on Media, make sure that the shows that they are watching won't have a negative effect on them and make sure that when they’re on social media, the things that they post or watch is appropriate for their age. Students of Indiana University were able to observe some men who were playing a video game called “Grand theft Auto” for a week and they said that the there was a significant decrease in the activation of prefrontal portions of the brain and a greater activation of the amygdala. . Amygdala is is part of the limbic system , the so called  “Emotion Center”

A lot of shows influence teenagers to behave in an aggressive and harmful way. Some people who watched TV violence at a young age ended up in prison when they were teenagers.

Watching TV Violence could be a cause of aggressive behavior and there’s a possibility that teenagers would be less sensitive to the pain and sufferings of other people . For some people who grew up watching violence in media finds it enjoyable when they hurt or kill other people or people who have mental disorder and weren’t being watched by their guardian had the idea of killing innocent people can also be an effect of TV violence That is why adults or parents should be attentive and they should always guide the young ones because when they start watching TV violence at a very young age, there’s a tendency that they would also do the same to other people. Some television dramas can also influence teenagers. Nowadays, dramas have scenes wherein the character/s would kill their enemies by shooting them with a gun and that can give an idea to teenagers that killing could be an answer to your problem. Another scene from other TV dramas that shows violence when they fight with their loved ones in a violent way like punching, kicking, slapping ,etc. and that is why they're having thoughts of hurting other people physically especially for teenagers who are having family problems, there's a tendency that teenagers who have family problems might hurt other people. Robbery is also shown in other dramas or shows and that is why you should always guide your child when he/she watches TV.  Research has shown that TV violence contributes to teenagers being violent. Fight compilations videos are also becoming popular on Youtube nowadays, and that is also the reason why teenagers are learning a lot of violent moves from social media then you'll just see other teenagers killing other people. This generation is not safe from media because everyone is updated and everything can be popular in just one snap and that is why people who are stealing and killing are getting smarter because they can also get ideas from movies , TV shows , dramas , etc. Some people just don’t know the impact of media on other people.

 "Youth who oftentimes are continually exposed to violence in the media result to violence to solve their problems. This can partially be attributed to what they see and who they’re around, because youth learn their social skills from their surroundings "(Social Cognitive Theory, Bandura, 1986).

  PC3, Persuasive

some adults believe that television violence contributes to Teenagers being violent 

Think about whether or not television influence teenagers to be violent 

Word count: 619 words

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Tv in Red

Is violence transmittable? Learned? Is it an ascribed factor of the self? One can say that it can be learned or immersed deeply by a simple graze of exposure on the many neurological patterns existing on the human brain. Some parents claim that violence is learned from the exposure of the modern television shows provide today but violence is a behavioral trait of the human self that takes time to grow and fact remains that not every episode of the series the child watches would have the said inappropriate content. Violence on television will not be a key factor in developing the triggers of the child if the parent is keeping a degree of control on what they watch and what do they deem as “age-appropriate”.

Television is deemed to be an a fortiori factor on what makes a person tick or learn to be more violent but on a more personal perspective, violent behavior is cultivated through constant exposure through environment or the mental state of the individual. The children are bound to grow out of the shows they watch, despite the deemed inappropriate exposure by some of the parents, they certainly will remember the show but the memory of the content is a tentative factor that differs from person to person whether they can remember or not. Television provides watchers whether young or old, a chance or a certain time period to bask in their temporary haven or their imagination to pull away from the stress the real world forcefully shoves into their arms, it distracts them enough to feel at ease and entertained so why is it being pulled back when it was made to distract and entertain people to begin with? The content people assumes upon seeing a clip, cover, or the description of the series. Television will never be the biggest growing factor for the child’s life, it will only be if there is a lack of control made by the parents or the guardians, television is not a  determinable trait of how the child grows they grow depending on their surroundings for humans are adaptable beings. Not all shows in television are hazardous, even if there was one there would be trigger warnings or content warnings sans the screening even begins with proper guidance or education they would change the channel or shut off the television lest they be influenced by the said content, in some cases television be an educational exposure for the child as they grow older, in television series today many great shows ranging from kids to teens provide not only the needed lessons to ensure a future for the children but it can provide many social and moral lessons that not only makes them understand the existing spectrums of humanity but to understand and respect them that come from many of today’s great shows such as Sophia the First, Gravity Falls, Steven Universe, We Bare Bears, and Adventure time which all shares many relatable content such as Family, Friendship, and Love; despite all of them being cartoons and on a kids channel they all immersed into the hearts of many people today regardless of age. These shows shaped many minds of the modern spectators on the social and moral norms; television today is a mix of modernistic fantasy that shows both the good and bad of society and people.

Television is an educational tool made by man and controlled by man, Abolishing television would remove the chances of the many existing good series and channels to diffuse around the world and into the hearts of people. It helps watchers learn and envision the modern norms; violence as a behavioral or learned trait is tentative, the impacts of the influences vary from one individual to another depending on their genetic make-up or growth.

-MinimalisticElephant

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Escape from reality

What is sports? Why is it that our school encourages us to join extra curricular activities? Why is it that for some of us, sports is an important part of not only our school life but our life as a whole? What are the benefits of doing sports? The answer is easy. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary sports is a contest or game in which people do certain physical activities according to a specific set of rules and compete against each other but for me sports is more that its literal meaning participating in extra curricular activities helps us to build strong relationship with people around us it helps us to enhance not only our physical capabilities but also our social and leadership skills. It helps us to work in a team and build team work since we meet various kinds of people when we participate in extra curricular activities. Sports is also known to be a stress reliever because it force us to exert all our energy and our focus when doing it. Our education is a big factor in determining our future it will dictate or tell us if we will be successful when we grow up because of this students work extra hard to do well in their studies causing them to disregard their health and making them dwell on their school works resulting to stress due to a lot of workloads given by their school. Extra curricular activities is like a escape for us students it gives them a hour or two to be free from the reality that we should only focus on our studies. That is why I believe that sports is an important part of our school life. According to studies doing sports is very healthy for our body and mind. In our environment today our body is exposed to different kinds of diseases and it is important for us to have a healthy body. It also helps us in losing or maintaining our weight and It also helps us to prevent heart disease since our body is constantly moving and our blood vessels is constantly working resulting to lesser possibility of having a high blood pressure. I have also mentioned a while ago that sports is a stress reliever because doing exercise increase the concentration of our norepinephrine, a chemical that can moderate the brain’s response to stress. It was also revealed that exercising can boost our happiness because of the endorphins it releases and it is just as effective as an antidepressant pills. Extra curricular activities is also a big part of our academic grades since extra curricular activities are graded and a lot of colleges like to see if a student is involved in extra curricular activities that means it will also be a bonus points for you. If you are also struggling to get some sleep since you put an all nighter the night before exercise can also help you in having a better sleep and it can help you in sleeping faster. Also one of the benefit in doing sports is that it can help you improve your memory since our brain is getting more energy and oxygen after a intense exercise. If you conclude all of what I have stated there are a lot of benefits in doing sports, it does not only give you a healthy body but it also helps you relive stress and in addition to that you can have a better grade so it’s a win win situation for you. Most importantly when playing you face different kinds of situation and you meet different kinds of people so it allows you to learn different kinds of life lesson that can help you in the future. So for me sports is very important in our life and I disagree about the fact that sports is not worthy of giving attention or emphasis since it is just right that we give importance to it. -light blue

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...

               In a blink of an eye, society has been engrossed in mass multimedia influence and was encapsulated by its control. It has worked its way to the very core of each person as if manipulating minds to conclude to a singular notion. Never underestimate the power of information for it can shape ideals and values depending on how it was perceived. Given the status of current popular shows, it is difficult to say that it cannot contribute to the influence of aggressive behavior. Violence exists in every material that is presented in television, from severe manifestations such as rape, abuse, killings, drug use and many more and even in shows ideally for children where there are cats using any means to kill a helpless mouse or coyotes using arsenals to capture a bird minding its own business. The violence is there, it is merely overshadowed by the need for entertainment but even these little acts masked by happy smiling characters are imbued in the minds of children. Truth be told, shows are just not entertaining enough if there were no violence portrayed. Nonetheless, television still claims various benefits that exemplify its own merits. On the other hand, it is undeniable that even with these benefits; it is no longer safe to maintain this status quo where children are exposed to influential violent behavior even in their own homes.

               As time passes, technological developments improve and are cultivated in society. Every household has access to various outlets of media entertainment that may enclose inappropriate content. Regardless of the show, it is accessible for all members of the community whether it is adults, teenagers or even children. Although there are multiple warnings for unsuitable material displayed by regulatory companies such as MTRCB, the irrefutable influence of television still exists today. It is no longer or has never been an effective strategy to spearhead the solution to the matter at hand because despite the warnings people watch it nonetheless. The ever expanding grasp of technology creates easier access to these shows and it is understandable that one cannot simply filter these contents with such means. At the end of the day children and teenagers still have the ability to access these shows without any inconvenience. Research suggests that over exposure to violence can cause belligerent and antisocial behavior. It is not so much of a direct attribute that creates these behaviors but more inclined to become a significant factor that shapes the very core of their social development. Violent behavior does not only pertain to hostile engagements, it includes aggressive behaviors such as cussing or inappropriate use of words and tone as well as creating antisocial members of society. It includes any action that is detrimental and damaging to a child’s social welfare. How do we expect exemplary members of society if they live in a world where violence is considered an investment?

               The effects of television violence did not merely graze social behaviors; it is a continuing aspect that manipulates the minds of children. It clutches on to their attention and holds a tight grasp on numerous interactions. When a show contains characters that manifest incorrect behavior, these are not automatically amended and there are circumstances wherein it is even regarded as an acceptable action within the premise of the show. There are cases where the rich always gets what they want while abusing the less fortunate character or school settings where popular kids with disputable characteristics are adorned with attention while bullying those who are in socially unaccepted dispositions. These are all rampant issues in today’s generation that are not entirely addressed in the best manner. It’s true that at the end of every show, these antagonists meet a certain epiphany that supposedly refutes their previous actions however, given the vast influence of media that extends to different people with different perspectives as well as the tendency of most teenagers to abide with what is up-to-date and “cool”, these may not be enough to persuade them that such actions are wrong. Teenagers appear to enter an altered state of consciousness wherein rational thought is suspended thus allowing external influences pass through the system without any coherent judgment. Additionally, it imprints a singular approach to problems that essentially have alternative solutions.

               A few arguments have been made stating that television violence can open current situations of our society in a different and less assertive manner. It creates a broader perspective of circumstances that may help these children confront real life situations. Such effects are highly possible however these objectives can only be achieved in the presence of proper guidance. The explosion of media’s significance granted access to a majority of the population hence it is made available to every person regardless of the situation they are in. In conclusion, even children under a stressful environment and lack of parental guidance are subjected to these influences and can become a significant factor to aggressive behavior. Violence has existed for a long time but nevertheless, the questionable methods of presenting violent television shows has little to no benefits to the development of social conduct.

-RuBP

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Reflection

BY D.BLUEKID

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Love what you do

Hard work, a word which means putting effort, time and commitment to one thing that you want to achieve at the end of doing it. To become successful at something you can not be lazy in doing it you have to work hard for it. But after working hard you should learn how to appreciate what you have done and sometimes treat yourself a little. The struggles we face in life are the ones that  challenge us to become better people and for us to face those struggles, we have to think and put hard work in the picture in order to solve the problems life gives us. Hard work has some points under it like you also need to become patient because you can not achieve your goal right away without undergoing the right process for you to finish what you need to and become successful. Learning a new skill is never easy especially when you just started learning about it.

One experience of mine was when I wanted to be part of Team Philippines to be able to compete internationally in the ICU Cheerleading Worlds held in Orlando Florida, USA. I had to train harder push beyond my limits but never forget to have fun. As a flyer nothing is easy, every time I fly I have to look confident even if I am not, I have to smile even though I am in pain and I have to work hard so I can become a champion. The phrase “no pain, no gain” is what I tell myself everyday when I wake up tired and my body hurts. Getting my inspiration from my family and friends to work harder I was able to compete internationally  and become part of Team Philippines. Garnering the bronze medal last 2014 and becoming part of the third best team in the world of cheerleading all my hard work paid off everything got replaced with happiness and the feeling of becoming champions was truly one of the best feelings I have felt. Appreciating everything i have done i was so happy and i felt that i have achieved one of my life long dreams. Spending a week in Disney World was something i checked off my bucket list as a child i have always dreamt of going there and in that moment i felt well achieved and my hard work definitely has paid off. Treating myself with lots of food and the company of the people i love and i was also very thankful of the result from my hard work.

As an athlete you strive hard in what you want to achieve and strive harder for what you want to become, in life nothing is easy. Having faith in yourself and also to others is needed when you are in a team sport, blaming each other will not get you anywhere although you have different ways or opinions in things that are right and wrong. Being united is one of the traits you must have, you must learn how to work with each other whether you have differences or not with this your hard work alone will not be put to waste because you are going to be a part of a team with one goal and that is to win all of you put everything they can to contribute to achieve what you want to achieve. Hard work is always appreciated because it is from your own hands that you become successful. As this experience was truly from my hard work and the hard work of my team mates as well. Knowing that you worked hard and that you went through a lot of mistakes from the bottom you will always find your way to the top.

-Princess in Pink

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Extracurricular Activities Play an Active Role in Education

[ please don’t read if you’re not sir Earnshaw :(  ]

Extracurricular activities are an important factor in determining the future of a student. These serve not only as a way for students to express themselves, but also to teach them valuable skills that ordinary academic activities cannot to help them prepare for the working world.

An extracurricular activity would allow the student to become more organized with their work. They will learn to prioritise and manage their time wisely, in order to balance their extracurricular activities with their schoolwork, family time, and free time. It will help them develop their social skills as well as their leadership skills and ability to work with others. An example of this would be team sports such as football, they will learn to cooperate and coordinate with their teammates, and learn to step in as a leader when the time calls for it. Extracurricular activities also allow them to be surrounded by like-minded people, which gives them the opportunity to develop strong bonds with other people and exercise their emotional skills. These can be helpful in job applications or college applications as well. Most companies and universities find applicants who participate in extracurricular activities to be more desirable, as they are more likely to exhibit these skills and are more likely to grow up as well-rounded and holistic individuals.

These activities also serve as a form of stress relief for students. It provides a way for students to express themselves and release their frustrations in a productive, and non-destructive way. It also gives the students the ability to express themselves more freely than they would be able to in the classroom. They will learn to feel comfortable with self-expression and with being themselves, improving their overall emotional state. They can learn to communicate their thoughts in a more healthy way, such as conveying their emotions through art. They can learn to share their joys and sorrows when they play songs or even compose their own music, when they produce beautiful paintings, and when they write compelling stories. thus allowing themselves to produce more powerful works of art as they put a piece of themselves in every work. It also helps them to avoid behaviour that may be damaging to their physical, mental, and emotional health. Studies have shown that students who engage in extracurricular activities are less likely to smoke, drink alcohol, do drugs or participate in antisocial behaviour.

Extracurricular activities allow the students to explore their interests and develop their passions, even aiding them in discovering their future career paths. These may help the students learn about themselves and discover their own identities. They may end up finding that they prefer being a writer or a dancer, they may realise that they would want a career in sports more than they do in business, they may even become more successful in life if they do something that they are  both skilled in and passionate about. With this they will also learn discipline and commitment, to dedicate their time and effort to an activity they care deeply about. These values may also show in their academic work. These can help them get through their assignments and help them work harder in school.

Extracurricular activities are vastly important in the formation of a child’s identity. These help them in self-discovery, help them maximise their talents and skills, they serve as a positive outlet for stress and for self expression, and are good for the students’ health. Extracurricular activities also train the students for the future by helping them form and develop social skills, time management skills, and discipline. The positive impact of extracurricular activities will also motivate the student to do better in school and to strive to improve themselves.

-Not Dalawa

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The Obscure Worth Behind Numbers

an article written by rainbowunicornmaster8

"There is no substitute for hard work" -Thomas Edison

I am currently 16-years-old and most of the time, I'd always want to purchase things which I can't buy since I don't have the means. Sometimes, my parents are unwilling to buy them for me so then I thought,

"if they can't buy it for me, then I have to find my own way to buy them on my own."

This led me to become more business-minded and practical in different circumstances. During these past few months, I've already tried starting my own business, selling in online shopping websites, investing in the stock market and doing other rackets on the side. It's actually funny how sometimes during breaks in school, I monitor my stocks on the iPad while my other classmates are just playing the cooking fever game. Surprisingly, I've managed to gather an amount of money which I deposit in my own bank account.

Through these experiences, I realized the real value of money. It's not just about the amount or bulk that you gain. The important thing is the source of the money and that you worked hard for it. Therefore, no matter how big or small the amount may be, you should appreciate what you receive because money can't be found just anywhere. It is not something you pick out from trees or find on streets so whatever amount it is that you gain is already considered valuable. Earning money does not come easy for anyone so whenever you get the chance, take the opportunity if and only if the process is legal and good because this does not come knocking on everybody else’s door. Especially if you're just a Filipino high school student like me, it's very hard to find these opportunities since people of my age are expected to just stay in school to study and only start earning after graduating college.

One more thing to remember is that we shouldn't take it for granted. Hard earned money should be used wisely and efficiently because we wouldn't want to waste all our efforts and skills. Some other kids would normally just go to their parents for an unlimited source of cash but I don't want to be like that. As early as now, I want to be able to start supplying for myself because I don't want to be a burden to anyone. Well, except for my tuition fee, shelter and basic needs because those are really my parents’ duties. I can only provide for the additional mini expenses which is also a big help to my parents in saving money.

This experience also made me better appreciate what I receive from my parents. From afar, their jobs look so easy, and it's amazing how they come home every day with hard earned money that they use to sustain for the family's needs. Although, it's not as easy as it looks. I know how my parents go through excruciating work and sweat just to be able to send us to good schools, feed us three times a day, give us a home, clothe us, and more. The reason why I treasure everything I receive from my parents is because they won't always be there to keep giving what they have to me. One day, I'm also going to be in their shoes as a parent and I would also want my children to understand the real value of money by experiencing it themselves.

Earning my own money also made my parents treat me more maturely. For example, just recently this year, my mom gave me a credit card but then she told me that whenever I buy something using it, I have to be the one to pay my own bills. Unlike other kids, they'd have parents paying bills for them but I had to pay my own which made me more watchful of the items I purchase. I actually only use it for emergencies or during times when I really have no cash anymore. This credit card my parents gave me isn't just any card. It is a way of showing their trust to me because they probably think I know how to handle money well and be wise about spending it.

Ever since I developed a new mentality and idea on the real value of money, I've gotten a better sense of practicality and I knew it wasn't unlimited. It is very difficult to earn money in our world today which is why I make sure every cent I spend is worth all the hard work, time, effort and sweat.

After all I've been through, I also saw how sharing your blessings is the most worthwhile way to spend money. Recently, I've donated some money to a non-profit organization who feed the hungry. I know that my hard work will pay off if I use the money to help others and strive for the betterment of their welfare. Finally, I can say that, money can indeed be more than just a sign of materialism. Money can change lives and be helpful in the life of those who are unfortunate. With a little help of money, we can share our talents, skills, happiness, love and care. And with everything that I've learnt, I will always remember that:  

“it all starts with good intent, hard work, patience and determination.”

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Extra! Extra!

Ever been in a situation in which there are so much things to do, to the point wherein you would not know what to do first? Or have you ever been in a certain circumstance where you are so busy with all the things that are happening around you, and you want to be in multiple places at once? There is an undeniable stage in life where a person’s main focus is to really study and be in school. Well of course, if you are fortunate enough to be sent in a good school. But nonetheless, this phase in a person’s life must be dedicated to studying. However, there is more to life than just school and academics. A person has the decision to engage and be involved into extracurricular activities. The question now is, what really are extracurricular activities? What is the main purpose of this, and how will it benefit a person?

St. Paul College, Pasig values holistic education – each Paulinian must be developed holistically; following the three main thrusts: to be Academically Prepared, Morally Upright, and Socially Responsible. They expect the students to excel not only academically, but also through other ways such as the so-called extracurricular activities. These activities include clubs that may perhaps consist of sports, performing arts, journalism, and the like, and even community service or charity works. It can be through forms of adhering to different organizations, or joining various competitions that is prearranged by the school or outside of it. There are so much more approach to involve oneself to distinctive activities.

Through the diverse selection of activities to do, a student who engages into these extracurricular activities will be able to partake so much knowledge, learnings, and experiences from it.

First, The art of time management. It is how a person will balance their time, and make use of it wisely. A person must be obedient so that everything will be followed. Once something is not worked on, the whole thing will be messed up.                                     

They will test their Decision making skills; it is the action in deciding for an option on which to prioritize first.                                                                                      

Commitment. One must be fully committed for as long as it may get to the task they are supposed to do. No matter how easy or how hard it might get, stay committed. It’s not going to be easy, but it will definitely be worth it in the end. Commitment is the key to be successful.                                                                                        

Extracurricular activities give someone the opportunity to contribute through the ideas that will be put in to action. It lets somebody see that a person is really thinking not only just of him/herself, but of others as well. It accedes to the growth of a person within; giving confidence and a raise of self-esteem because that person is given much importance.

Different universities abroad look into extracurricular activities of a student to know their capabilities as a person. It serves as a considered opinion whether or not a person gives importance to other people such as the community and the like, or a person is socially aware of the happenings in the surroundings. They do not only consider the academic attainment of such, or how smart a person can be. They want students who actively participate not just in school but outside as well, and students who are more than just interested in book works and solutions. Activities that students are involved in make known of whom they really are – their personality and qualities as an individual. Who needs a brain that knows almost everything, if you can’t interact well with other people?

Although some might say that participating and involving oneself in extracurricular activities have become an issue in education, it still is a vital role in society nowadays. It does not interfere with the primary purpose of education, for it may help them in their careers in the future. It is a way of practicing how to deal with things at the early stage of their life, and they may bring the wisdom as they grow and be on their own someday.

Through all these, students can manage to strive hard and persevere. They can overcome the challenges that will come their way, because of the knowledge imparted to them as they learn how to manage different situations; no matter what kind.

Find an activity that best fits your interests, hobbies, and personality. Stay true to yourself, and be no one but you. Make sure that what you’re doing is really what you want to achieve and pursue, not just because of the credit but you’re doing it because you want it. Be fully committed. What are you waiting for? Think twice, and subsequently go find your best fit. No regrets. Remember, nothing worth having comes easy.

~elephunny001~

REFERENCES: 

[1] Haensly, P., Lupkowski, A., Edlind, E. (n.d). The Roles of Extracurricular Activities in Education. Retrieved August 28, 2015 from http://www.jstor.org/stable/40365131?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

[2] Burgess, J. (n.d). Extracurricular Activities and the Benfits. Retrieved August 30, 2015 from http://education.more4kids.info/168/extracurricular-school-activities/

[3] Extracurriculars Matter – To You and To Colleges. (n.d). Retrieved September 3, 2015 from https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-started/outside-the-classroom/extracurriculars-matter-to-you-and-to-colleges

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All In Your Head

[It wasn’t meant to be personal. It wasn’t meant to be the kind that unravels you from inside and tosses every failure and every flaw you have until you’re scraped clean and everything is out in the open, guts and organs and all, and you can’t find it in yourself to hold it in anymore. It wasn’t meant to be the kind that destroys you, time and time again.

     But somehow, it is what it is meant to be.]

             The clutter of the house had always made her cringe; the damp walls sent shivers down her spine and the creatures of the night living inside those very walls made her skin crawl.

     It was a very bad house; so terrible she dared not touch it when she visits. She only needed one thing, and that was all she was getting from that poor excuse of a house she calls: and that’s shelter. Beyond that, she could hardly find it in herself not to resist. It was that bad.

     But it was not exactly easy to find another rental space that was within her budget, either. No, it has to be this decrepit den that was more rubble than structure; and from the very beginning she knew it was not expensive enough to offer her the comfort of a home. But alas, it was functioning and it provided her a roof above her head.

     And for the time being, that was all she could ever hope to ask for.

           [You’d think it’s just something on the outside; like a feeble thing you can choose to ignore just to feel better and pretend that you’re more than who you are.

     But it’s not.

     You can paint it all, white and red and brown and black; but underneath all that lush is a crumbling foundation made out of cheap material that can barely hold your wild, wild thoughts.

     It’s not just the clothes that make you feel like there’s something wrong. It’s not just some piece of cotton or silk or wool that makes you feel like everyone’s eyes are on you and they’re full of criticism and judgment.

     No. It’s that thawing feeling in your gut that shakes all your imperfections out of their hiding spot for everyone to see and finally realize that you’re rotten to the core.

     But what can you do, limited as you are with the confines of your dark, dark mind?]

     She awakes with her hand pressed upon her cheek, leaving an imprint that resembled more abstract than concrete. The creaking of the springs under the grimy bed diminished as she pulled herself up – prepared to leave and poised to run. She had never liked staying in the house for long, and she was not going to start now just because she ached for a little more sleep.

     She descended the stairs, floorboards groaning and protesting under her weight. She marveled at how easily it replicated what she felt inside: hiding (read: living) behind the splintered wood and forced to be okay with every lump thrown her way.

     She knew she should not feel half as bad. After all, it was not her fault that she was born lacking and destitute.

     But it was like the world hated her and the people who brought her to life. The decrepit den was placed exactly in the middle of London’s most opulent subdivision; where Victorian houses and freshly-mowed grass mocked her at first sight, golden plates and marble porch steps in cahoots to scorn her, people who did not even have the courtesy to be discreet about their assumptions of her.

      [You can’t pretend to be something you’re not. You can’t pretend to be the girl with average looks and average intellect when you’re not even half as good as average. You can’t pretend that everyone will see you the way you want to be seen because it all reflects what’s within. And you’re all dark, no light; lurking behind the shadows that you might as well be one. Even when you want to be seen, even when you want to be heard, you can’t. And you have to be okay with that because it’s not going to change.

     You were a shadow, and you’ll remain a shadow and that’s how everyone’s going to see you: dark and dark and darker. Even if you try to splash a little color on and change your style, they won’t ever see you as anything else but.]

      She honestly did not know why it was there. But she was almost sure it was a joke, played by the architect or the engineer dared to construct a house fit to accommodate a hoard of rodents instead of an actual human person.

     The den stands out like a sore thumb in a palm of abnormally perfect fingers; very much like herself amongst the ladies of the ton, in fact.

     And she hated it; to the extent that she would actually consider burning it if not for the other fact that she would be completely homeless if she did. However, often times she would also wonder about the possibility of burning those abnormally perfect fingers instead; what a waste, yes, but wouldn’t that make her feel better? Just her and the decrepit den – no Victorian houses and freshly-mowed lawns to mock her, no golden plates and marble porch steps to scorn her, no one to make any assumptions about her, discreet or otherwise. Yes, she conceded, she very much liked that idea but she couldn’t ponder over that fantasy for too long. A day at the local diner calls for her attention.

      [Your thoughts, looming and formidable, will always be your deciding factor. Not the clothes you wear, not the words you say, and definitely not the things you do. It’s all in your head, you see, and it’s cluttered, encased in damp walls and filled with night crawlers.

     You’re under the notion that everyone’s controlled by the way they’re dressed or how they look and that’s… depressing, but the joke is on you and it’s quite entertaining.

     You entertain menacing thoughts, fuelled by your emotions of hatred and self-loathing. And while at first it seemed like suicide, everyone starts to realize that it’s murder. And what chance you have of convincing them you aren’t as dark as you look, disintegrates altogether.]

      She dragged herself out the door, forcing herself to touch the rustic knob and twist. She felt the dirt stain her skin and steeled herself, muttering a mantra in her head: Don’t pull away. Don’t pull away. Don’t pull away. She slipped past the crumbling door and slammed it shut behind her, beyond caring of its current state. If she comes back and it still holds, then she would make do; but if it falls apart and dissipated into dust before she comes home, then that’s one less problem to worry about.

     She skipped past the dirt road and made her way to the diner, hoping against hope that she, at least, looked presentable. Although it is already common knowledge that the dilapidated house was hers and the reputation of it, always hanging above her head like a rain cloud, she couldn’t help but wish that the patrons were thinking of other pressing matters rather than the fact that she was not just penniless and frightful, covered in soot from where she unwillingly touched the house, but also serving them.

     “Are you sure this meal is clean, girly?” chortled one when she came by to deliver their orders. She flushed red and nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She would have spat hurtful words and also, maybe, kicked him in the groin but she did not. She would not. She does not have the courage to and she is not in the position to.

     She also hated that.

      [“Crawl out, crawl out, crawl out”, cries the voice inside your head, repeatedly and tirelessly. But of course, you can’t. You’re stuck. You’re alone. You’ve got nowhere to go and your thoughts are just emphasizing every little detail of your faults and blemishes, and you want to leave. Leave it all behind even if it means leaving yourself in the process because you’d much rather have the soul inside the body than the shell of a skin that was more corpse to you than any other in a graveyard.

     You’d much rather they judge you with your thoughts and with your actions rather than how you dress and how you look like and whether or not you could fit into a size zero. But can’t you see? You’re only as dark as your mind makes you out to be, and your mind is blackness all over.

     It’s not them. It’s you.

     And you’ve got it all wrong.]

      She had thought that maybe being out of the house will bring her some sense of peace; she had thought that maybe, when she is finally out of that dingy building, she would not feel as filthy as when she is in it; she had thought…wrong.

     She was always going to feel bedraggled and threadbare; out of place even when she is somewhere she belonged, even when she tries to tell herself she does. She was always going to wake up on a grimy bed in a dingy house filled with night-crawlers and damp walls and creaking stairs and rusty doorknobs. Always, always, always.

     She is never going to earn enough to buy a house that will be her home as well as her shelter; that would provide her comfort as well as a roof above her head. She is never going to have her lawn, freshly mowed, or her porch steps made out of marble. She is never going to have a golden plate bearing her address or ever be a lady of the ton. Never ever, never.

     And she hates it.

     And she is scared because of it.

     And she wants to run away.

     But she cannot.

     The house would not let her.

     [You might as well know: you’re in a cage. You’re imprisoned inside a body that you don’t want and inside a skin that makes you more uncomfortable than any clothing in the world. You’re trapped inside, outside; and both are your doing. I’d tell you how to get out, but it’s just too fun seeing you like this. And until you figure it out how to unlock those chains that binds you to your body and your skin:

     You’re not going anywhere.]

- Madrigal

NOTES ON HOW TO UNDERSTAND THIS VERY LONG NARRATIVE:

1. Read through the whole thing.

2. Read the italicized paragraphs then the un-italicized ones. I think they make more sense independently but it’s a must they’re read together.

LEGEND:

The italicized paragraphs are written in the point of view of the antagonist. The un-italicized paragraphs are written in the point of view of the protagonist.

[P.S The point was, there isn’t just one scenario where one has to suffer the incident of feeling uncomfortable wearing this or that article of clothing. When your skin is the very thing that makes you uncomfortable then that’s the problem.]

[squarerootof49-blog]

Silver Lining

A man named Michelangelo once said the words "I am still learning.” These words apply to me in several aspects of my life, and through this I have realized that I will never stop making mistakes; I will never stop learning and growing from them. No matter how stubborn, helpless, hopeless, and unfortunate I feel and become, there will always be a new beginning for everyone–a new opportunity, a new chance, a new risk to take. From these, I can truly say that I have risen and conquered what I once thought was an impossible goal to achieve. Through these, I have formed my very own silver lining.

Transitioning from an environment you’ve familiarized yourself with for a span of 6 years to a highly foreign environment was never easy, especially given the fast pace of the transitioning, and, of course, the expectation of you being able to quickly adapt to the sudden changes in your environment. Personally, this transitioning was one of the greatest struggles I have had in my entire school life. My excuse for not being able to adapt to these changes was always the fact that it was so sudden, making it all the more difficult.

My entire life as an 8th grader was bombarded with excuses, which led me into becoming probably one of the most irresponsible and lazy people in school, if not the whole world. From these statements, one could be able to conclude that I was turning into a helpless, hopeless person. I wouldn’t even help myself. The worst point I reached during this was when I didn’t care whether I passed or failed a subject, as long as my grades weren’t severely plummeting. Before I knew it, the school year ended, and I was still left with numerous Ds in my report card and an unmotivated mindset.

Come freshman year, my motivation to do well in school was still at a slightly critical level, but soon improved when I received my first term report cards. I was startled upon seeing that my report card contained no Ds, and, to me, that was good enough–even if I wasn’t an Academic awardee.

I thought so low of myself that I didn’t realize my small efforts to improve myself paid off in the end. From there, I continued to set my goal of consistently progressing, especially in school.

Freshman year passed and I was going into sophomore year still with the goal to continue to progress and become better. Sophomore year was the year I was determined to become a leader, which would test my abilities and the extent of my being responsible. I attained and reached those two goals of mine, thus forming my very own silver lining. I started from being someone who seemed hopeless; as someone who hit rock bottom and could not save herself, and ended on the satisfying note of finally being able to maximize the use of new chances and fresh beginnings. I found the small boat of hope in an ocean of negativity. Thus my change of heart and mindset shaped me into achieving my silver lining.

-coda

[squarerootof49-blog]

A Taxi Joyride

Always five minutes ahead, and the now has passed and the future, present; and the mind is swimming and thrashing and plunging into dark waters to predict what the future will hold and it renders the present immobile, the now suspended in time until the hands of the ticking clock begins to beat again. This is the future; this is the now.

She never wanted an apology, but you still gave her one thinking - she deserves it anyway, maybe a ton of it even. She never wanted an apology for “What have you done wrong? You were just being true; you were just being you.”

Something must be wrong with me.

But tears danced across her face resembling her favorite winter drink — a glass of cosmopolitan rendering her drunk and delirious; blissful one moment, heartbreaking the next. And you still apologize no matter how much it pains her, no matter how much her head shakes from left to right trying to make you stop with what she would call an irrational sorry. She claims to understand, but you still insisted that she listen to what you have to say because there must be something she doesn’t fully comprehend.

And what had happened cannot be blamed for what is happening.

It’s me. It’s me. Something must be wrong with me.

But what had happened left you shattered in pieces; pieces that can’t seem to be put together. “…that’s the thing: you always come back stronger, you know yourself better and I love—”. But it’s you, something is wrong with you; selfish and arrogant you’ve become.

Tears trickled down her cosmopolitan-like face. Pain that you’ve caused her— she who makes you smile a little bigger, and laugh a little harder, the sunshine of your days and the moonlight of your nights.

She disagrees with everything, as if she’s a child denying her wrongdoings. Every sorry makes her cry a little bit harder; but not now:

“Once, I must’ve deserved you, but you don't deserve me. You’re worth more than who I can give you. You are worth more than the complexity of my jagged pieces. You are simple, round, and beautiful, and you deserve more than broken pieces of me. You deserve the world. You deserve a rock and that is not me. And I am sorry for my heart said ‘No’; I am sorry that my heart couldn’t let you in; I am sorry that it said ‘Maybe not today. Maybe not ever.’ I don’t want to be that insolent fool who toyed with you, whose light is so much more than mine. I don’t want to keep pretending.”

What have I done?

5 glasses down; it is almost over. Winter’s frost has started to melt away, Christmas carols sound in the streets. There were melted marshmallows on hot chocolates and you’re watching the snow drift down but all you see is your breath as you sigh away to its end; it’s soon to change.

As you downed the 7th glass, things get blurry, hallucinations probably, and you are brought a few months back, plunged into memory lane, forced to go through the pain again.

In the fall breeze, your fingers intertwined. In that moment, you were with her, or she was with you, but either way it felt darn good. The sound of crisp leaves, as you stroll around the autumn street, is music to your ears. She embraced you in her promising arms and things had never seemed like they would get better until then - until that moment - and her voice, her voice were kisses that flutter like butterflies from your mind to your chest.

You wandered once more, passing streets of the forgotten, and you pleaded to go back to the before but she insisted on wandering around, looking for “…every piece of pain you have felt and know the different light bulbs in your life. I want to know them all. Even though I know that that’s the thing: you always come back stronger, you know yourself better and I love—”.

And all you see is red, trembling in fear and anger, and shivering beneath dark waters, even as she held your hand and you take your last gulp of air before you let yourself drown in the memories darker than the waters themselves.

You have been warned: “Never ever bring up ‘Katherine’ , a.k.a the ex, when there’s someone new”, even though you’re not exactly dating, and Katherine wasn't exactly your ex and instead just another “Maybe”.

You were told no one wants to hear about the “What Could’ve Been” and that it doesn’t and will never matter, but apparently, it does. To her, it does.

And to say that you were obsessed about the past is an understatement:

“Three years has passed and it’s still a constant, wrenching pain that fades slowly, but never really disappears. And admittedly, you haven’t fully moved on. Because that’s her thing. It had always been Katherine who moved on faster than she got heartbroken and she would clock in here and there like it doesn’t matter.

You’d call her sometimes but it seems like it ends the same way every time, and it’s the reason she lost you, or you lost her and either way you lost each other.

She lost you when the texts got shorter and your phone rang less often than it did before. She lost you when replies got slower and messages were sent less often than it did. She lost you because it felt like reaching out to someone who was fading away into nothingness.

It felt like you were shouting for help but no one else can hear you but yourself. You were drowning in your own thoughts with no one left to save you. And when you thought it could be Katherine, she was nowhere to be found. And it frustrates you.”

She hugged you even tighter, reminding you of her presence - solid and concrete, real and in the flesh - and you were convinced that then and there she had you, but you knew that wasn’t the exact truth.

She already had you the moment she started to notice the little things and it felt odd to have someone know you enough to figure out when to talk and when to keep silent; uncanny to have someone care for you the way she does; weird in all the sense of the word. And there she had you because you were losing yourself, still in her promising arms.

She had you because even though you knew that you were already screwing up, she insisted that you were perfectly fine. And it unravels you faster because the reason why you’re destructively screwed is because you were already falling for a person you couldn't bear to lose. And right then and there she had you and she didn’t even know.

She had you because she was everything Katherine wasn’t and even when Katherine still lingers in your heart. She brought light when there was darkness, and with it a speck of hope. Hope that sometime soon everything, and all of the pain, will finally make sense.

She brought nothing but light into your dark world, and you let her while you swim and you thrash and you plunge into your own deep blue sea. She miraculously lights up each dark cave you pass by, each cave of insecurity and it gets lighter and lighter each time: from a speck of light, it looks like a galaxy now.

But that one last cave… she had tried to light it up but failed. And you don’t want to let her touch it for it is toxic; poison. You don’t want her to get involved in it because she will just get as frustrated as you are. Almost everyone tried but not even one succeeded because it is not a cave of insecurity. It is a cave of the past, the present, and the future.

You’ve lived your life under the assumption that you don’t need him, that there was no reason to need him. He was never truly there so how could you actually miss him? You moved away when you were 10 and he was never a constant in your life again. You thought this never affected you because you were too young to really remember him being there, even with the few and far between visits you shared throughout the years after. The broken promises of trips and gifts. The missed phone calls on Christmases and birthdays. You felt you were stronger than to let it affect you. You didn’t need him, because you never actually had him.

You didn't realize that you needed him, until you saw your uncle, how lucky your cousins were for having him. You never felt so incomplete; but you just took it in, you felt you were strong, you felt as though it wouldn’t affect you.

You kept it all in, the wound has been engulfed with the happy memories brought by your friends and family. It is a scab that will just be there forever, and no band-aid can help heal it.

But you never really understood all the times that he was never there. You’ve never wanted to admit that you felt abandoned; but it is what it is. Feeling as if this person who you want to love oh so dearly, wants nothing to do with you. At the age of 13, your mom would bring you back and forth to the hospital because of nausea, you were never sick; You were just a teen longing for a warm embrace from the man who supposedly would never hurt you. For so long you wanted to ask why, but some things are better left untold; some things just don't have an answer. You wish he knew how much he had hurt and affected you, and how he hurts you over and over again throughout the years of broken promises. All the while breaking his first daughter, his first princess, who in total honesty only needed a hug to begin with. Only if he knew.

Taxi Driver: “Excuse me? We’re here.”

You: “Sorry, what?”

Taxi Driver: “We’re here. This is your stop.”

You: “Oh sorry. How much do I owe you?”

Taxi Driver: “$7. Are you ok? 

You: “Yeah just kinda nervous”

Taxi Driver: “Someone special?”

You: “Yeah, very. Just sort of a new beginning” 

There she was, and you suddenly found yourself smiling just a little more for no reason.

Deliberating in your own mind how something could actually feel this good again. With no hesitations you dove head first into a love with her, that consumed you, and the way she carefully took her time was hard for the impatient person in you to understand in that moment. She made you remember just how blissful and heavenly that feeling of falling for someone was, and how something so good just shouldn't be rushed. She got to know you, cautiously yet vigilantly. It even felt too good to be true.

But there she was, bravely deciding she wouldn't run, even though every fiber of your being reminded her of how terrifying it was to open herself up to the possibility that you could destroy her— the way someone else did. You understand that. You were terrified, too. But she stayed, while you tirelessly worked to pick up all the shattered pieces of your souls and put them back together.

TheParalysisofAnalysis

[squarerootof49-blog]

Decisions are hard to make

Making decisions are hard for all of us, we don't know what will be the outcome of the things we decide on. It might have a good or bad product. We think very hard before we decide on something we want because we want to make sure that we make the right decisions. In our day to day life, we are committed to always find resolutions on things that need answers.

As a student, I need to make decisions everyday. The important decision that I made is what track would I get for this school year because what I will choose is already a gist of my future. I had difficulties at first because I'm not really sure what I want to be. I had thoughts of going to ABM because my parents suggested that I should get accounting and be an accountant. I thought of what they said and I asked myself first if that is what I want and if I would be happy if I go there. I also thought of going to HUMSS because being a lawyer is the third choice on my list. I thought of it and asked myself a lot of questions, like if I would be contented if that is my choice, if I can do it, if I can survive till the end and if I would be happy with my choice. I asked help to my friends and told them my top three choices; being a doctor or a chemical engineer or a lawyer. They all told me same answers, that I should go to STEM because my top two choices are there. I contemplated on the answers that my friends told me. After how many days I'm still not fully sure on what track I should get. I asked my parents if I should go ABM or HUMSS or STEM, my dad told me that I should get what I really want and my mom told me the same thing and that I should follow myself and not follow what others want because it is not their future but I was talking about my own and what they tell me and my friends tell me is only a suggestion and it will always depend on me on what I decide and what I really want. She also told me that whatever I choose they will always be there to support me every step. I thought of everything my parents and friends told me. I tried taking considerations on the things they suggested. I really thought about what track I should get because my future job and future self will be based on that decision. After how many months asking for help to what is the answer to my own question, I tried asking myself what I asked them. And I made my decision, I chose to be in STEM because I think I would be happy in this track and I can pursue what I really want in the future. I realize that I really want to be a doctor and not a chemical engineer or a lawyer because since I was a child I already wanted to be a doctor and help people out by curing them and taking care of them. Maybe someday in the future I would be very thankful that I made the decision to be in STEM because this track might be a big help tomorrow and be a guide to my new beginning.

Nick Saban's quote, "When you invest your time, you make a goal and a decision of something that you want to accomplish. Whether it's make good grades in school, be a good athlete, be a good person, go down and do some community service and help somebody who's in need, whatever it is you choose to do, you're investing your time in that" helped me choose what I really want because it inspired me that where I invest my time is where I will accomplish things that I yearn for.

~ messy peanut