How I Want to be Remembered When I Leave High School

Each of us in Batch 2007 of UP High is a very unique individual. Not one character is entirely the same as the other. And that makes this batch very special. We all complement each other that makes us all one.
Leaving high school would not be very easy for me. In my high school life, is where I found my real self, my real self that most of them accepted and appreciated. I know that I’m the kind of person that is very difficult to be appreciated. It would take a very great patience to understand a Christine Marie Nolasco. I consider myself as a very deep person. If you would judge me directly and you won’t give yourself the chance to get to know me better, you really would not like me and you would miss one half of you life for not knowing me. My personality is very complex. You would not see my real identity in those smiles, laughs and unkind words that I give out everyday. You have to dig deep and seek out the real me. And it would take years to be able to do that. Believe me; it would really take that long. That is how covered I am. The usual first impression of the people on me is that I am very “maldita”. Well, I won’t say that I’m not, but that is not the only thing that is in me. When I leave high school, I want my batch mates to remember the real me; not someone who is very “maldita”, but someone who is very kind, sweet and passionate. We had this activity in our Public Speaking Class. We were tasked to make a Juhari’s Window for ourselves. There we wrote something about our free self, the part of our selves that is known by everyone. We also had to write something about our private self, a part of us that is not known by others, only by ourselves. The blind self was also included. This is our part that is only known by others and not by us. There was also a part that only God knows, things about us that we don’t know and others also don’t know. In my free self these were my description of myself: fun to be with, bossy, funny, entertaining, wise, friendly, moody, confident, talented, strong-willed and cheerful. Well, they are partly true, but sometimes I don’t find myself fit to those descriptions. In my blind self, these were the description of my friends: I love and care for my family so much(it is so amazing that I did not know about this one), a very organized person, caring, weird, diligent, sweet, insensitive(correct!), close minded(not that much). In my hidden self, these are the things that I wrote: insecure, knows how to handle money, benevolent, merciful, “selfish”, a very good secret keeper, confusing, foolish, patient and impulsive. Many people think that I am very confident about myself and that I look at myself as someone who is indomitable, this is their biggest mistake. If they only know how much I needed someone to cry on; someone hat could be my source of strength and someone who will not consider me as a wonderwoman. Sometimes I just want to be like a child, someone who needs someone by there side. I love how my friends look at me, but I would greatly appreciate it if they could see the feeble part of me. It is so complicated when people think that you are very strong. Just a simple insight from within me, strong persons are the most difficult person to understand.

That’s just me! Hope they will never forget me…

My Nonsense Fears in Life…^_^ (sure lageh ko na nonsense ni… swear)

What are your simple fears in life? Are you doing anything to help you conquer these fears?
I believe that every person in this world has his/her own fears in life. I myself have so many fears. I’m afraid of dogs, snakes and crocodiles. I know that if these animals would be able to bite me, it would be very painful and maybe I would die. I’m also afraid of having so many pimples on my face (tsk3x… it doesn’t look good). Well, here comes a reasonable fear, my greatest fears are loosing my parents and friends.
I’m afraid of dogs, snakes and crocodiles because they all bite persons and they may cause death. I’m afraid of dogs because my mother always tells me that I could get killed when a dog bites me. And the cure for their rabies is very painful. I’m also afraid of snakes because they are very poisonous. And I’m afraid of crocodiles because they look very ugly and I feel that they can swallow me as a whole. I’m afraid of all these animals because they all have sharp teeth (nice reason… hehehe).
I’m very much afraid of having so many pimples because my face looks pretty ugly with them. Pimples tend to develop in teenagers because of an interaction among hormones, skin oils and bacteria that live on and in the skin and in the air. There are so many causes of pimples and unfortunately, I have no time to prevent them (too busy in my studies). So, a friendly advice from me, just always clean your face before sleeping. I guess this could help prevent pimples on our face.
One of my greatest fears is loosing my parents. I can’t imagine my world without my parents. Who will take care of us without them? Who will be my inspiration in life? To whom will I offer my blessings without them? My parents give me all the things that I need. They sacrificed almost all their wants for me. My parents are very unselfish and caring. When I grow up and already independent from them, I want my parents to experience nothing but happiness.
Loosing my friends is another thing that I greatly fear. I’m the king of person that spends most of my time with my friend. I discovered myself with them. My friends were always there when I needed a shoulder to cry on. My friends are the ones who lift my spirit every time I’m down. They were the ones who comforted me when I was down. They are like my parents who brought me up and guided me on my way through exploring life. They lighted my dark road towards success. And they were always there. I was very lucky to find these great persons.
Oops! I almost forgot my latest and may be considered my greatest fear, LOSING HIM. My life was happy before. I just never expected that my life would be happier with him. I hope he will never leave. I’m really afraid to lose him, but I would rather get hurt, than never get the chance to be happy with him.

Fears can be healed, and here are my simple tips to conquer my fears: Accept it, don’t run, try to relax and keep in touch with reality. With these you might be able to conquer your fears. Every person has his/her own fears. All we have to do is face them.

Research: Peanut Pod Ashes as a Substitute of Sand in Concrete Hollow Block

The study Peanut Pod Ashes as a Substitute of Sand in Concrete Hollow Block aimed to find out the feasibility of peanut pod ashes as a substitute of sand in making concrete hollow blocks. Sand is mostly compose of quartz and quartz is mainly made up of Silica. Silica promotes hardening in concrete mixture. Burnt residue of peanut pods consists principally of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate and silica.

To determine to feasibility of peanut pod ashes as a partial sand substitute, 5 kind of concrete hollow blocks were made. Each contained cement, water, and different ratios of sand is to peanut pod ashes. In preparing the peanut pod ashes, the peanuts were removed from their shells. Then, they were left to dry under the sun until the moisture in the peanut pods were gone. After that, the peanut pods were then burned. A metal container, a wooden stick ang denatured alcohol were used in the process of burning the peanut pods. The peanut pods were burned until they became ashes. Different mixtures of sand and peanut pod ashes were then prepared. The different mixtures were: 100% peanut pod ashes and 0% sand with 5 L of peanut pod ashes; 75% peanut pod ashes and 25% sand with 3.75 L of peanut pod ashes and 1.25 L of sand; 50% peanut pod ashes and 50% sand with 2.5 L of peanut pod ashes and 2.5 L of sand; 25% peanut pod ashes and 75% sand with 1.25 L of peanut pod ashes and 3.75 L of sand, and 0% peanut pod ashes; 100% sand with 5 L of sand. Water ang 5 L of cement were mixed to each of the mixtures. Then, the mixtures were placed in a mold with a volume of 630 cubic milliliters. After that, they were labeled and left to dry for at least 7 days. The compressive strength of the different hollow blocks were then acquired using a machine.
From the data obtained in this study, the compressive strength of the concrete hollow block with 0% peanut pod ashes and 100% sand was 270 psi; with 25% peanut pods’ ashes and 75% sand was 785 psi; with 50% peanut pods’ ashes and 50% sand was 250 psi. The two concrete hollow blocks which had 75% peanut pods’ ashes and 25% sand, and 100% peanut pods’ ashes and 0% sand were not formed. The concrete hollow block with the greatest compressive strength was the one with 25% peanut pods’ ashes and 75% sand. It had a compressive strength of 785 psi. From the findings, it can be concluded that burnt peanut pods may be a cheap sand substitute in making concrete hollow block as shown in the results of the compressive strength of the concrete hollow block with 25% peanut pods’ ashes and 75% sand. It had a compressive strength of 785 psi. Combining a little amount of peanut pod ashes with the mixture of the concrete hollow block may strengthen the concrete hollow block. The reason may be that peanut pod ashes occupy the spaces that sand cannot occupy due to the size of its particles. However, adding an amount of peanut pod ashes greater than the amount of sand may weaken the concrete hollow block. The silica content of peanut pod ashes may not be sufficient to hold all the different particles of the mixture together.

“Yup… It’s My Citizenship…”

When I was a young girl, I had nothing else to think of except myself, my family, my friends, and all the things I wanted. I never cared about the people whom I don’t know nor my country, because I thought, why would I care about my country if there’s the government who should be responsible of thinking for the betterment of everyone?!? The government formulates public policies and conduct affairs of state. The government is responsible of providing access to health services, free education and a decent shelter, affordable services such as water supply and utilities for its people. The government should assure the protection of its citizens, assure the people pf their political rights, used public funds for the peoples protection and welfare and assure that he people have sources of livelihood and jobs with sufficient wages. It is the government’s duty to encourage, develop and promote entrepreneurship among its citizens. See? With the government accomplishing all its responsibilities, I think I don’t have to do anything for my country anymore. But then, later on, I came to realize the real worth of my being. I have pondered on the undeniable thoughts in my mind, I am a Filipino and I should be proud of it. And I believe that I should contribute anything for the betterment of my country. I know that my country needs me.
As I grew up, I have then realized that fulfilling the duties for my country isn’t that easy. Uncountable soldiers died just for the sake of defending our country. So as the title holders in the field of beauty, sports and inventions, they really strived hard to bring up the name of the Filipinos as good potential leaders and citizens.
Then, I thought, what have I done for the sake of my country? What have I done for my fellowmen for them to be proud of me? Have I really risked my life for the sake of defending my countrymen? Have I brought home the bacon for the sake of the entire Filipino nation to be recognized all over the world? No. I have done not as great as what Jose Rizal or Manny Pacquiao did. But, I have performed the best of my capabilities to be a good citizen of my nation. I am serving my country with all my might and with all sincerity. Though it is just in my own little ways, I know that my simple acts will make a great difference. Still, a thought bothers me, what is the use of my citizenship for me? Is it just for the sake of having an identity? Or is it just for the sake of being recognized and not be known as a barbarian? No. I have realized that being a Filipino and knowing my citizenship is my passport of exploring more of me. It is the key that would greatly help me for the success of my being. Whatever my happen, I would always be proud that I am a Filipino! Come what may…

Gasa Sa Gugma
Be gentle and loving, be kind and polite, be thoughtful of others, and be sure to do right. Politeness is to do and say, the kindest thing in the kindest way.
I never thought that February 2, 2007 would be one of the unforgettable days of my life. The day started, and as usual, there were a lot of school works. The nice part of the day only started at 2:00 pm, when we departed from school to go to Gasa Sa Gugma. The bus ride was quite fun even though I did not join the “party” of the crowd. I just enjoyed watching my batch mates laugh and talk. They were bumping at each other every time the bus stops. Some of them were singing while others are talking with loud voices. When we arrived, the place was so silent. Well, what could you expect, the people living in that place were old persons with other younger persons who take care of them. It seemed that everyone in that place was thinking. I think they’re not fund of talking. Not in my nature, but honestly speaking, I really had fun at that place. I never expected that I would learn something from those people. I learned to understand certain things about life that were beyond my mind’s eye. I have realized that I am still very fortunate to have my family; a family who cares for me. I felt a slight prick in my heart when I heard about there different stories. Some of them have no families, while others still do, but their families are not capable of supporting them anymore. Some of them are still being visited by their families, while others have been forgotten by their families. It doesn’t feel good thinking about all those people who can just leave their family members behind. I feel that that they are the worst kind of people existing in this world. I think that we should learn to be kind and start to care. The people there need love and attention. If they feel that they are loved, I know that that they will be happy. At least for the last days of their lives they’ve experience happiness. I know that a simple listening ear would surely lessen their pain and sorrows. Telling them that they have done something great in their life’s journey would surely lessen the regrets that they have in their lives. I also had some realization when they told me about their regrets in life. While listening to them, I realized that we should do the things that we believe will make us happy. I know that someday the only things that we are going to regret are the risks that we did not take.
We should never waste the chances that come in to our lives. Chances usually only comes once in a life time. And, we should keep in mind that great things never last. So, better start living your life to the fullest.

Teacher like? I guess not…

Great patience will always be rewarded with great fortune. Especially patience accompanied with love and care.

Know Your School Day (KYSD) started last January 25, 2007, Wednesday. I applied as the Social Science teacher for this day. I replaced Professor Alfredo Montaño who is one of my favorite teachers. Four students applied for the position as Social Science teacher and all of us were accepted. The other three teachers were Shydel Raya, Sunshine Enriquez and Eldee Balolong. Fortunately, the three of us are friends so we did not have any trouble working with each other. During our class, we gave a 25-item test to our classmates. The test was about current events, important things from the book and also from the lecture that Prof Alfredo Montaño gave us. During the whole duration of the test, my classmates kept on murmuring. They were complaining about the items involved in the test, that they were very difficult. Maybe they were not that prepared for that test since we did not tell them anything about it. We intentionally gave that surprise test, as what Professor Alfredo Montaño told us to do, to know if our classmates learned anything from what he had discussed, if they read the book and if they were taking note of the current events. As for my part, I was the one in charge of the questions from the book. I did everything that I could to make that part of the test easy but still intellectually challenging. Despite the effort that I made, still I heard complains from my classmates. Those protests did not make me feel good because I know that I have tried my best for them to have good scores in that test. My patience was really tested during that time and I had to control my temper. At that moment I realized how amazing teachers are. It is not that easy to understand different students with different attitudes. It does not feel good when one of your student’s fail. If a student fails that feeling of failure is doubled for the teacher’s side. Great patience is needed to make it through all these situations. Patience is an excellent quality and I can’t equate my patience to the patience of a teacher because I am an impatient person. I know that my teachers love me and that they care for me. Even thought I am a very stubborn and lazy student, still I know that they are concern of my future. I know that they want all of their students to be successful in the near future. If they get too strict on you, be thankful, it is a good sign that they care for you. And try to follow them to the best of your abilities, because they will surely be grateful if you show them that you are thankful. With all those sacrifices that they have done and they are still continuing to do, I believe that we should honor them.
Hopefully, I would learn to be more patient and learn to care for others someday. Being more patient would surely help me attain my aspirations in life. I’ll forever be grateful to my teachers because they taught me essential things about life, things that only through them might be granted to me. They taught me things beyond what was expected from them. They taught me how to live through the raging difficulties of life.

A Foolish Dream…

Believing in fantasy once in a while is good. It helps me escape from the pains of reality. In the world of fantasy, almost everything is very exciting.

Witches, warlocks, white lighters, dark lighters and demons, these are the creatures that exist in the world of the Charmed Ones. Spells and incantations are cast, and potions are made. The Charmed Ones are three sisters destined to be the most powerful witches. The three sisters have three different powers, one can control objects with her mind, the other can freeze time, and the last one can see the future. They are witches but they were once normal human beings. Still they sometimes want to act normally; by these I mean become stubborn like normal human beings. The most stubborn and the youngest among the three sisters is Phoebe. She is the one who can see the future. She is always the first one who does crazy things, like using her powers to know the future winning numbers in the lotto. Still there was something good in what she did, she shared the winning numbers to an old couple who were about to lose their house. Anyways she wasn’t able to benefit from the winning lotto ticket that she had. The numbers on the lotto ticket disappeared just after the winning numbers were announced. It only shows that you should not use your powers just for your own good. The one born in the middle is Piper. She is the one who can freeze time (a very interesting power for me). Piper is always the one who initiates forgiveness in the family. She always stays in the middle every time Pru and Phoebe has a fight and makes them forgive each other. She is also very responsible and a very good cook. Piper is the most kind among the three sisters and she has a very good heart. She always has the time to help others who are in need. The eldest among the three sisters is Pru. She owns the last power, which is the ability to make objects levitate. Since both their parents are gone, Pru was given the responsibility to take good care of her two sisters. She acts as the mother and father in the family. And she works for her family to make their lives comfortable. These three sisters are the Charmed Ones. They are given the responsibility to save the innocent. It is their duty to protect the people from any form of harm from their world. Combining their powers will create the Power of Three, the most powerful magic in the world of the Charmed Ones. This power is undefeatable and cannot be vanquished.

Sometimes I wish I was one of the Charmed Ones. Having my own power would surely make my life a lot more exciting. I would really love to fight demons and warlocks then save the innocent. If given a chance to have my own power I would surely make the best out of it. I would use my power to live a comfortable life. And of course, I would also use my power to help anyone who might need it. You may think that I’m so foolish to think about these things, but I’d rather be called foolish than go crazy because of too much reality.