First NSTP Area Work Experience

So, here's the thing. The title up there doesn't really match with what I am about to type here. But, here goes nothing. Last Saturday (Aug. 25, 2012) instead of attending our NSTP classes, I and my other friends had to attend swim practice because MILO and PRISAA competitions were drawing near.

It was cold. I tasted the early morning wind as it brushed through my skin. I and the others were to meet at Mc Arthur park. I waited and waited till my legs ached from the long duration I was standing. And as soon as we were complete, we rushed to Marco. Yes, we actually RUSHED. (We were in a hurry) The trip to Marco was long. It took us about 30 minutes. And finally, we arrived. We ran towards the pool for we knew we were late. We were told that our practice would be @ 7AM. But sadly, we arrived one hour late.

We prepared and dressed ourselves and dipped in the pool. It was cold! The pool was crystal clear and clean. Yet we had no time to stop and be amazed by the pool and so the harsh workout began. For more than an hour, we were tasked to swim different strokes. We were given different drills and maybe swam about a total of 2500 Meters. One unique thing about the training that day was that the water was really unstable. It was like we were swimming in open waters. It was wavy (Is that the right term?) and that was what made it more difficult for us to perform the strokes. Our coach was very considerate with the 4 of us so we finished quite ahead than that of the others. We finished @ around 9:30 AM (Don't quite remember the time). We quickly changed, walked to the highway, waited for a jeep and left Marco at 10:15 maybe. The trip was, once again, long. As we stepped into the school premises, we walked quietly up the stairs and opened the red door which we all knew was the 4-Gentleness room.


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We were surprised to see the room with the lights turned off. I wondered why they turned off the lights. And suddenly they began singing HAPPY BIRTHDAY. (or was that Ave Maria?) We were asked to stand in front and do a consequence for not having our very first area work. Seems like we missed something great. Kyla was pretty pissed for everyone was telling us to do something wherein others did not know what we've been through. In exchange of all the sweat and hardwork my classmates had while cleaning, we were asked to clean the 4Gentleness room.

One thing I learned from the series of events is to be on time, manage your time well, do your best and work hard.  And I guess, the rest of the day was history :)
     

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NSTP Journal: One Day

One Day by Matisyahu.

Sometimes I lay under the moon

And I thank God I'm breathin'

Then I pray don't take me soon

'Cause I am here for a reason

Sometimes in my tears I drown

But I never let it get me down

So when negativity surrounds

I know someday it'll all turn around because

All my life I been waitin' for

I been prayin' for, for the people to say

That we don't want to fight no more

They'll be no more wars

And our children will play, one day

It's not about win or lose 'cause we all lose

When they feed on the souls of the innocent blood

Drenched pavement keep on movin'

Though the waters stay ragin'

And in this life you may lose your way

It might drive you crazy

But don't let it phase you, no way

Sometimes in my tears I drown

But I never let it get me down

So when negativity surrounds

I know someday it'll all turn around because

All my life I been waitin' for

I been prayin' for, for the people to say

That we don't want to fight no more

They'll be no more wars

And our children will play, one day

One day this all will change

Treat people the same

Stop with the violence down with the hate

One day we'll all be free and proud

To be under the same sun

Singing songs of freedom like

     This song clearly states through the lyrics of the song that our world is in total chaos. Chaotic because the people living in this world can not attain and obtain peace within themselves.There are wars, mass murders, abortion, human trafficking and an alarming rate of sexual harassment and abusements in our society. The song depicts how the world has changed in such a short period of time. It shows how our generation today has evolved from its inner shell which has been curled up and has not yet been exposed to the outer world. People today are very liberal even to the extent of losing their dignities because of their mindset, "YOLO" which means, You Only Live Once. And because of this they think that they should do everything they want on earth while they still can. The song also reflects on the future of the next generation. If this chaotic society continues, the next generation will not be able to live a well and stable life. They would always feel threatened and they would never understand the word "peace" because of the environment that teaches them the exact opposite. 

     The song wants the wars, violence, hatred and all the negativity that envelopes around man to be vanquished and eliminated. The song promotes peace so that all of us would live a happy and merry life. Yet, the song does not only state that. It teaches us to never give up despite all the obstacles and challenges we might face in the future. With the environment around us at present, it may be certainly difficult for a person to grow, develop and become a good citizen very easily. The society today hinders us to become a well-developed human being. The society has a very good way of influencing us easily yet we should not be wavered and should stand strong on the values, etiquette and good morals our parents, teachers, religious brothers and sisters have taught us.

      But the most important lesson that we can get from this song is that we should never forget to thank God because without Him, we could never stand a chance in this world. He is our everything. Our lives revolve on Him. Only He can solve our problems in a single snap. We should always remember to thank Him and give our sincere gratitude.

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NSTP Blog Entry #2

What can I say about the Nutritional Status of the Philippines? Hm. As far as I can see where the society stands in terms of its nutritional status, majority of Filipino children aging 3-7 years old are malnourished enough. As I browsed through the net, I saw that the Philippines even ranked as one of the highest countries in Asia with malnourished children. Many of our common poor Filipinos have no permanent and proper homes to live in, most even survive on scraps, trashes and even left over foods in dump sites. Since they can't earn a living, how much more can they feed themselves thrice a day? Majority of the poor cannot completely eat the required three meals in a day. Some eat every two to three days, suffering while looking for something to eat. I think the government has done something for these people. BUT, this is still not ENOUGH. With our population arising at a fast rate, more Filipinos suffer from starvation, some even die of hunger. The government's kind act of having feeding programs may help a little but it is certainly not enough to satisfy all its citizens. As a young teenager and citizen, the problems of our country is my concern and my responsibility too. Yet, how can at least ease up the situation. At this rate, I think it would be best to not waste food. And if ever there are scraps, or remains, it would be better if we would give it to street children. Aside from that, I should study and do my best (particularly in Economics) to understand the current situation of our country. By simply doing that and listening to the news daily, I would be a big help in the future. But as for now, I have to bide my time in order to be of use in the government in the future.

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NSTP Journal

The Chinese Legend: The Story of the Bamboo

Once upon a time, in the heart of the Western Kingdom, lay a beautiful garden. And there in the cool of the day the Master of the Garden went to walk. Of all the occupants of the garden, the most beautiful and beloved was a gracious and noble bamboo. Year after year, Bamboo grew yet more noble and gracious, and conscious of his Master’s love and watchful delight, but modest and gentle as well. And often when the wind came to revel in the garden, Bamboo would cast aside his grave stateliness to dance and play right merrily, tossing and swaying and leaping and bowing in joyous abandon, leading the great dance of the Garden which most delighted the Master’s heart.

Now one day, the Master himself drew near to contemplate his Bamboo with eyes of curious expectancy, and Bamboo, in a passion of adoration, bowed his great head to the ground in loving greeting. The Master spoke, “Bamboo, Bamboo, I can use you.”

Bamboo flung his head to the sky in utter delight; the day of days had come, the day for which he had been made, the day to which he had been growing hour by hour, the day in which he would find his completion and his destiny; his voice came low: “Master, I am ready. Use me as you will.”

“Bamboo,” – the Master’s voice was grave – “I would gladly take you and cut you down.”

A trembling of great horror shook Bamboo: “Cut… me… down! Me… whom you, Master, has made the most beautiful in all your garden… to cut me down! Ah, not that, not that. Use me for your joy, O Master, but cut me not down.”

“Beloved Bamboo,” – the Master’s voice grew graver still – “if I cut you not down I cannot use you.”

The garden grew still. Wind held his breath. Bamboo slowly bent his proud and glorious head. There came a whisper:“Master, if you cannot use me but cut me down… then… do your will and cut.”

“Bamboo, beloved Bamboo, I would… cut your leaves and branches from you also.”

“Master, Master, spare me. Cut me down and lay my beauty in the dust; but wouldst you take from me my leaves and branches also?”

“Bamboo, alas, if I cut them not away, I cannot use you.”

The Sun hid his face. A listening butterfly glided fearfully away. And Bamboo shivered in terrible expectancy, whispering low: “Master, cut away.”

“Bamboo, Bamboo, I would yet… split you in two and cut out your heart, for if I cut not so, I cannot use you.”

“Master, Master… then cut and cleave.”

So the Master of the Garden took Bamboo out and cut him down and hacked off his branches and stripped off his leaves and divided him in two and cut out his heart. And lifting him gently, carried him to where there was a spring of fresh, sparkling water in the midst of his dry fields. Then putting one end of the broken Bamboo in the spring and the other end into the water channel in his field the master laid down gently his beloved Bamboo. And the spring sang welcome and the clear sparkling waters raced joyously down the channel of Bamboo’s torn body into the waiting field. Then the rice was planted, and the days went by, and the shoots grew and the harvest came.

In that day, Bamboo, once so glorious in his stately beauty, was yet more glorious in his brokenness and humility. For in his beauty, he was life abundant, but in his brokenness he became a channel of abundant life to his Master’s world.

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The things I need to do in order to master myself is to know first who I am and what is my purpose here on earth. Like the bamboo, he was willing to let his master cut him down because he knew it was his destiny. I must reflect on myself and accept the facts for who I am. I may not be what I wanted myself to be, but I have to whole-heartedly accept myself so that I may master myself.

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