Contemplating Pure Beauty

Have you tried bathing in a well? I have tried and this experience made me admire the beauty of nature. Can you imagine how God made all this things? This is a very great miracle! Water under the land. Clean fresh and free… We had a vacation last month in our province, which was located somewhere in the northern part of Cebu. This place is very delicate and the environment was very clean. The beauty of nature was still preserved and in that place you will realize that people could live a simple and better way of living from the resources in the environment. The people were all friendly and this made my vacation remarkable. In the morning, we are awakened by the roaster’s load croak and not by the annoying sound of the alarm clocks as how we used to be here in the city. The fresh and crisp dew refreshed myself for a new day. To replenish my body I should take a bath first, but where? My cousins and I were planning to go to a nearby well and take a bath there. I was really excited about it and ready all the things I needed. The well was just a walking distance from our house. Around the well were the slender banana plants and other big trees. The mouth of the well was covered with the thick pile of moss and vines We started to take a bath and used the ladle with a rope in it or called timba in colloquial speech. The well was not that profound and the substructure could be visibly seen. The water was glimmering like a glass and was incredibly hygienic. It was really icy that I found myself shuddering with the coldness of the water. The vociferous sound of silence was really all around because we were only the ones there. So in order to thrill ourselves, we chat for our experiences in the school and the kind of classmates we have. Suddenly we found ourselves busy talking and accidentally the timba fell inside the well. The three of us really felt worried because our grandmother is going to scold us. We thought of way on how to get that thing out from the water. My younger cousin decided to go inside and get it but I refused because she might be injured and the more problem we will have. But she didn’t even care to listen to my words but went inside the well in order to get that ladle out. I was relieved when I saw her gong up bringing with her was the ladle and she was not hurt even a single bruise. The three of us hugged each other and cheered up. And now it was time to go home! That experience alone was really memorable for me. That made me appreciate the beauty of our ‘mother nature’. And I learned that a family that prays together stays together and that was the thing that determined to get over that obstacle. But the very special lesson that I learned was to ‘Contemplate The Pure Beauty”.

A look at How I Look

They say that beauty is only skin-deep. But why is it though, that the good-looking people seem to get all the advantages? And how can I cope with all the pressure to dress and look like those gorgeous girls? I don’t like the way I look! Well few of us are entirely satisfied with our own appearance. Unlike Narcissus who fell in love with his reflection in a pool of water. But for us we fall into depression when we see our reflection. I think I don’t look so good! I don’t like my hair, the way it looks from the others. To make matters worse, our appearance change so rapidly that we sometimes ‘feel like strangers in our own body.’ Thus, sometimes I fret about my own face, hair and figure. “Everything has made pretty in its time” And how I look can indeed have a profound effect upon the way others view and treat me. “Body image is a part on self-image.” For me this can affect my self-confidence and what I do and don’t in life. A healthy concern about my appearance thus makes good sense. However, when I find myself become so self-conscious that I withdraw from others or feel bad about myself, and then such concern is no longer healthy, that I do sometimes. Interestingly, distress over personal appearance is not always due to real physical defects. From a situation like this: a slender girl sits in the class wishing she was heavier, while on the next aisle, a buxom girl laments how “fat” she is. From where does this dissatisfaction come? What made me think that they’re unattractive? Was it their size that may not be as fit as the sexiest celebrity or maybe they might not have the fine-looking face? “Adolescence is a period of transition in which major reorganization of the body takes place…” To deal with the awkwardness of a new and changing body I rely upon the security of my peers. But under their scrutiny on how tall, short, fat or thin they are, can become a great source of anxiety. And when some of my friends get more attention than me or when I am chided about my looks, I can easily begin to feel bad about myself. But before I will admit that I’m an ugly duckling, I’ll ask myself first, to what extent of my physical flaws are real or imagined. Is this facial feature I fret about really so unattractive? Or have others pressured me into thinking this? “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould”, a proverb says. There is thus no reason to feel depressed because I do not look like a TV or magazine model. Nor are my peers the final judges on how tall, short or slim I must be to look attractive. I am comfortable with how I look and I should give other people a heed. Ironically, the very thing I dislike about my looks may be the source of someone else’s envy. “Charm may be false, prettiness may be vain.”

Breaking the Ice

It is Saturday night. I sit alone in my room "I hate weekends!" But there was no one in the room to answer. I pick-up a magazine and saw a picture of young people enjoying at the beach. I hurled the magazine against the wall. Tears well up. I clamped my teeth on my under lip but tears keep pushing. Unable to fihgt it any loger, i fell on my bed sobbing, "Why am I always left out?" Do you some times feel the sameway I do ? Cut off from the world,lonely, useless and empty? if so do not despair. Because feeling lonely is no feeling of fun, it is just like having a very fatal disease. Simply put loneliness as a warning signal. This warns you that you need companionship, closeness and intimacy. Sometimes loneliness is imposed to us by circumstances beyond our control, like being away from a very close friends as a result of moving to a new location. Back home, Rose and I were very close pals, closer than sisters. When our family moved away, i knew I'm really going to miss her. When the time has come for us to board on the bus, I got choked up. We hugged and said our last goodbye. I felt something very precious was gone. How did I make it out in ym new environment? It was really rough. Back home, my friends like me and care for me but here some folks I lived with, made me feel as if I were no good. I rember looking at he clock and counting back hours and thingking what Rose and I could be doing at this moment. I felt very lonely. When things are not going out well, I often dwell on better times that I had in the past. I always ask myself, "Why has it happened that thet the former days proved to be better than this?" Then I realized and promised to myself never ask such question again. Why? For one thing crcumstances are changed for the better. Then, i could thus overcome this loneliness. How? By talking about my feeling with someone who cares. I can't always live in the past. I forced myself to meet other people, smile at them and show interest on them. It worked! I found new friends and I become happy as I was before. But what about Rose? I was really wrong! Moving away did not end our friendship. The other day I phoned her and we talked for an hour and fifteen minutes. We need food to function well. Likewise we need companionship and friends to feel well. When you take one coal at a glowing heap the glow of that single coal slowly dies. But after you put the coal back into the glowing heap it glows again! In isolation, we similarly do not 'glow' well for long. The need of companionship, closeness and intimacy is built into our framework. We need them in order to "Break the Ice". The ice that separates us our happiness.

I Will Survive!

There are many things that made each and every one of us special and particular. We have our own feelings of disappointments and frustration, our own feelings of happiness and pleasure. Every individual has destined horizon to journey and obstacles to face. I know all and sundry are determined to “reach the unreachable star, that impossible dream…This is my quest to follow that star no matter how hopeless, no matter how far,” according to one of the most famous song. From my younger years to my present teenage life, I always wanted to be a star, a very bright and glimmering star among the others. The stars made me think that they are the happiest things God ever made, for them no time seemed to be sad and gloomy. I then realized that God made them to enlighten, guide and let the people know that HE never let’s distressing feelings lives in the people’s heart. “Everything has a purpose” My interest about the stars made me a better person and met new friends. Our last stargazing overnight was really noteworthy for me. There were a lot of things that took place in that special starless overnight. Though there were just few visible stars I really enjoyed that overnight. Last February 2,we had our third stargazer’s overnight and I really felt excited for it. But before the overnight I seemed to be very nervous but I didn’t know why! My father fetched from school very late and then he told me that my grandfather had been involved in a car accident. My Lolo was an old man in his 60’s but though he is old he could still mange to drive a very big grader. He accidentally bumped a man riding a pedicab who was the breadwinner of a poor family. The man was totally dead on the spot! After I heard the news I felt very worried but my father assured me that God would never leave us in this kind situations. I arrived at the campus around 7o’clock in the evening and I saw my classmates already preparing their mats and sleeping bags. After we have settled our things we take a pose for a picture taking. All of us gave a big smile in our face with an alluring pose. We had a short discussion with Mr. Christopher Go and the other University of San Carlos’ astronomical club. I couldn’t help myself to feel a little bit weary and heavy-eyed while the discussion was going on.

After the discussion we watched an outrageous movie entitled “Shatter”. I was sitting near the jealousy and suddenly, terror crippled up my spine when someone pulled my hair. I found myself shaking and trembling with panic. When I bear out who was it, I was relived when it was a second year guy who accidentally lose his balance in the dicey floor. Huh! That almost killed me. Then, a fourth year student come within reach of the DVD player and turned it off and said that she was told to turn it off because watching bloodcurdling movies is not allowed. Everyone was really discolored with her!

We just go to our sleeping bags at the playing field and it was really chilly. I wore my thick black jacket, my cap and my socks but I was still shivering because of the frosty nighttime zephyr. We didn’t feel dozy so we babble on gobbledygook things and fool around with each other.

When I finally lied down on my sleeping bag, I looked up in the sky and saw a single star shining in the darkness. It was the star that seemed to catch my eyes. While I was looking at it, I remembered my hard times; the trials that tried to let me down, the problems in my studies and our family, my personal afflictions, the peer pressures that tried to tempt me. Then I realized that I’m still alive and I survive! With that few moments on staring at that star, it determined me strive harder and to keep my passion burning in achieving my dreams. The lessons I learned from the stars’ “I WILL SURVIVE!”

Do my clothes Reveal the Real Me?

Me my mother often argued about the clothes I should wear. “It’s not too short you are just being old fashioned!” Off I ran to my room. The grand finale to a quarrel over a skirt I wanted to wear. And perhaps we have been center of this familiar controversy when our parents, teacher or other elders criticized some outfit we love. We called it casual they called it sloppy. We called chic, they called it gaudy or suggestive. Admittedly, tastes vary and I do have the right to my own opinions. But would it mean anything goes upon the way we dress? What I wear is really who I am and how I feel about myself. It will affect my social relationship with the other people. For me, clothing sends out a message a statement to others about who I am. This can whisper stability and high moral standards. Or it can also shout rebellion and discontent. It can even serve as a form on identification. And I know that it can affect my emotional feelings because in a way that my clothing also sends out my mood or my feeling. I want to inform others on who is this girl they are facing. Sometimes I see some people wearing ripped clothing, punk style dresses or expensive designer clothe as a type of their trademark. But should this mean that we need a lot of money to have our own trademark? But others use clothing to allure the opposite sex or to make they appear older than who they really are. Yes, the way we dress could attract other people especially the opposite sex. We want to be attractive to our admirers and to our crush because we want them to know that we deserve. But sometimes it will disappoint others especially those people who expect too much from us “The way we dress has a remarkable impact on the people we meet and this greatly affects on how they treat us.” No wonder my parents are just concerned about the way I dress. Remembered, when I’m just a kid my parents are always the one who decide the dress that I should wear. It should be a formal one when going to church or to any other occasions. I really felt jealous on other children of my age because they are wearing cargo pants and punk style dresses but here I am, a weird girl wearing an old fashioned dress. To my parents it is more than a personal taste. They want me to send out the right message, the one that projects me as a balanced, responsible and a moral individual while I’m just in my young age. Then, I realized that even a dress could determine the true me and how could I get along with other people. It’s not that how my peers pressured me for what should I wear but what I want the other people to get my inner message. The message that says, “I’m a girl who was educated by my parents… A girl who deserves a respect and respects other. I’m not a flirt girl; I’m the conservative one. Does the way you dress, however accomplish the right message you want to send out? What gives you the guide in selecting your clothing? So be sure to handle the way you dress not on how others wanted you to do so but how you want other people to know who you really are. Because for me ‘ My clothes reveal the real me!’

One Caring and Sharing Family, The UPIAN Way!

Remarkable! That was the memories unfolded during our family day. Last 25th day of January, our campus was very alive wit the loud cheer of the crowd. Everyone was really enjoying and a strong family ties in each family was observed.

We woke up around 5 o’clock in the morning and I felt very angry because it was supposed to be 4:30. We are really cramming in packing our things. My father drove very fast that I felt my whole body was twisting. Huh! We were still late and the mass was almost done. After the mass, all the students are told to prepare their costumes for the field demonstration. Our presentations were practiced for many weeks and all of us were very excited to present it. I was rushing in putting in my native costume but SHokkzz! My kimona was left inside the car, so I ran as far as I could to get it because the program will going to start in few minutes. Our presentation was entitled “Lapay Bantigue”. I really felt nervous because many people will be watching and I’m sure my parents will be laughing at me.

The time has come for us to present. M y whole body was trembling but I didn’t show any reaction to my co-presentors. I’m also worried about me and my partner doesn’t master the steps in the approved manner. We might be disappointing the whole group and to our audience and teachers. Before the music was played my partner asked me, “What if we might not perform the steps especially the twirling ones appropriately?” I replied showing no worry in my face but deep inside I was jittering, “Don’t worry, I know we will do it!” Then the music was and everything was going out smoothly. At last we made it! All the steps were really performed correctly and all my fears were gone!

After the field demonstration, my friends and me went to the HomeTech room to see the project displays and had some picture takings. Then we watched the soccer game of the fresh men and the sophomores. I really enjoyed the game because my cRushz was there. Everyone cheered for their teams and gave the player a warm support. Yippee! The first year won the game.

We gathered in our respective tents to take our lunch. In the Bartlett’s tent there were more then enough food for everyone. My tummy was really stuffed. Then our English teacher informed the parents to get the letter that was made by their child. I told my father to get it and I know he will be very happy for that simple gift I gave to them both. I was exhausted that day because there were a lot of fun activities and games throughout the day. Everyone was very happy and enjoyed and brought home a very remarkable memory and experience. We went home around 5 o’clock in the afternoon bringing wit us the satisfaction and fun we have experienced together as one big UPIAN FAMILY!

Facing the Reality

"King Solomon one of the wisest man who ever live, desperately fall in love with a lass who did not return his feelings. He splattered upon her some of the most dazzling poetry, which was like the magnificence of the full moon, pure like the lustrous sun and got absolutely nowhere with her!", Says the bible. Did you experience like this before? When you can’t eat, can’t study anymore! You daydream about him! You are miserable! Nevertheless, I will eventually refrain from my attempts to win him over. But how can I regain control of my personal sensation? “He that is trusting in his own heart is stupid.” This is predominantly factual, when I will found myself caught up in a romantic fantasy. However, “He that is walking with wisdom is the one that will escape.” This simply means seeing thing just the way they are. Be grateful for simple things on what that really meant to be. “How do you legitimate hope from an unfounded hope?” an fascinating question I read from a book which gave a evenhanded retort, “By looking carefully and coldly at the facts.” But how much of a chance is there of a real romance developing with the person I admire? What if that guy is a movie star, the odds are I will never even this person! My chances are really evenly muted when some grown-up folks are might be involved. Yes, actually there was a time when I fell desperately infatuated by a Korean actor who was playing the character of Lee Shin Gun, in my preferred Korean novella “Princess Hours.” Every time I take notice of the commercial or music video about it I hurried to the front of our TV and doesn’t care about the world, all I want was to see him. When I slumber, his visage was always on my mind. I spent a lot of money and surf in the Internet to find his friendster account, his photos and watching his movies online. I bought a complete copy of one of his movies and that cost a peso. All those things made me realize that I’m falling in love with someone who doesn’t even know my name! He is impossible! Furthermore, has this guy I like thus for shown any interest in me at all? If not, is there any real reason to believe that things are going to change in the future? Or am I just simply reading romantic interest from innocent words and actions on his part? All of those doubts are mixing up my mind. Is he really hundred miles away from me, impossible to reach? Or there might be someone who’s just an inch from me, waiting t be loved? Huh! But besides what would I do if that impossible man actually returned my affections? Am I ready for a serious relationship? I’m NOT! Then I should remove vexation in my heart by refusing to dwell on fantasy. There is a “time to love” and that might be years later. Days, months and seconds more…when I’m ready to “Face the Reality.”