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A Day at the Ayala Museum

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It was a fine Sunday afternoon and I was walking down the pavement across the avenue toward the museum where I will meet with my friends. I came earlier than the arranged time. So I took a seat in front of the museum cafe while the barista serves two foreigners their coffee and tobacco. To pass the time, I listened to the mellow, soothing sounds of jazz played by a jovial musician whose face was quite familiar to me though it might have been someone else that I have been thinking about. As I sat there, I contemplated on how beautiful life was. Though I have already thought so many times and are attested to by the myriad of beautiful scenery that are laid out for us on open fields, on meadows, on mountaintops, and even on top of the high-rise buildings in the splendor of a bustling, illustrious city. I saw a burly man whose skin was lightly toned walking with his wife dragging her feet behind him. He looked to her as if to ask her whether she would like to stop for a while but

Hey Dad!

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It has been a while since I last posted in my blog. Recently, I have been caught up with homework and school activities which means that I have no time to keep a daily update with my blog. Anyway, since today is a very special day, I want to make this post extra special to the people who are entitled to it. Our fathers have stood the test of time; they have made numerous sacrifices to provide for and take care of their family. At times, they would juggle between two or three odd jobs just to make ends meet. But through it all, they continue to persevere and they deserve all the love and respect from their family. Because of what they do, we consider them the supermen in our lives. Every day, they give their best, often more than they can give, just to give us the best kind of life. They serve as our role models and mentors in life. We learn to be good leaders and persons of character from them. They are the epitome of leadership, integrity, justice, and principle. At tim

Happy Mother's Day!

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To my mother and to all moms out there, may you continue to love and to be loved by those around you, by your family, your friends, and may God continue to bless you with the strength and the wisdom to lead your children and to protect your family. A personal poem for my mom that I just did at this moment. Mom, do you know how much I love you each day? Though I may not say it in words or express it through my ways deep down inside, I will love you Always and Forever. Do you know how much I cried when you are not with me? How I longed for your embrace, Just the sight of your face was enough for me or when I hear your soft, gentle voice telling me, "It's okay". Have I ever told you how much you mean to me? Every day you work hard every day you give your all and at times, I am insensitive but you love me anyway I know it in my heart and I just want to show it too. Without you, I would not be here From the time I was in you You cared an

A Short Reaction on the Novel, Sense and Sensibility

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I was meaning to write something about this months ago. I finished reading the novel, though I have not seen the movie, I am fully content with the written story. Basically, this is about two sisters, both of which have interesting characteristics, habits, and thoughts about love and romance. Although they seem totally different in their personalities, one preferring silence and resolve, while the other leans toward strong emotional conviction and carefree living. But as I went along the story, I felt the connection and concern of both sisters with each other as they tread a path of pain from heartbreak and treachery. All the while, their bond becomes stronger, and their respect for each other more so. The elder of the two is Elinor and she is more reserved with her feelings than her ostentatious younger sister, Marianne who always finds a time to express her extreme emotions. However, they are equally passionate in their pursuits, only they show it in different ways. More

Teenagers: 6 Signs of Adolescence

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I know many older people would know how it was to be a teenager. I know that gives them the right to boss the younger ones but times have changed. The traditional teenager is different from the teenagers of this generation. I believe that older people have the wisdom to guide the youth but they need to know how to influence them and they can do that only if they know how to connect properly with the youth of this age. I know the older generation would contest that their time was better. But we live in a constantly changing world so we have to learn to adapt and there are now many factors that can affect the behavior of teenagers today. So, there are good points in their side but I would contest that they have many things to learn about us. Based from my previous article, ' Misunderstood ' which was my first appeal regarding this topic, I believe I gave an idea of how it is to be a teenager. From that, we can say that the fundamental want of an ordinary teenager is freedo

Tuesdays with Morrie: A New Perspective on Life and Death

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I just finished reading the book Tuesdays with Morrie and it is as inspiring as what people have said about it. I have read Mitch Albom's Have a Little Faith as well, two years ago. And they are very inspiring, why? Because, for one, it's non-fiction which brings out more emotion to the readers. You feel like you have met the same people and you have been with the author in his journey right where you're sitting. For those who do not know the story, here is the gist of it. In college, Morrie Schwartz was Mitch's psychology professor. But to Mitch, he was more of a mentor. As the story progressed, they became almost like relatives. Often, Mitch calls him "coach" and likewise, Morrie calls him "player". After graduating from college, Mitch started to seek a job but with no success until the death of his uncle drove him to go back to school. Eventually, he got a master's degree in journalism and became a sports writer. He went from Ne

12 Ways to Spend Summer

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One can really feel the heat already here in the tropics. It is summer time and people are getting out under the sun and having fun. Now, I'm guessing most of you guys have your flights booked and your reservations fixed in some of the finest hotels and the whitest sand beaches in the world. But for those who are not, do not fret; there are a lot of cool stuff to do in the summer. So, make a list, and try to do them one day at a time. In my experience over the years, it is much better to do something in the summer than just lay around the house doing nothing all day. Even if you are in the house, you should make the habit of being productive so that you would not waste a minute of your precious time, especially for the students who are on vacation in summer. Now, I have had days when I really have nothing to do but I try to find something worthwhile to do. So, here's my list of stuff I have done and plan to do in the summer: 1. Travel around the world. Whether it

Learn to Laugh

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I have been so happy and ecstatic lately. Someone just pulled a very good prank on me last April Fools, which gave me inspiration to write this. Note: Sometimes, I am quite curious about what tickles a person's funny bone? Mine is definitely quite easy to persuade. But I would like to know what makes people laugh especially in bad situations. I love to laugh. I love laughing with other people and just making a big, boisterous uproar of laughter with them. It brings me happiness and relief. Once in a while, we need to laugh. We need to pause a moment in the midst of all the busyness of the world and take our time to laugh and to enjoy with friends and family. We need to learn to look at the brighter side of things for every dark cloud has a silver lining. From a snicker, to a giggle, to a chuckle, until it becomes laughter, it is so relieving. Whenever I hear laughter, I would just want to join right in because it takes the tensions away. I love the energy and the go

Friends Will Always Be Friends

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"Good friends must not always be together.  It is the feeling of oneness when distant that proves lasting friendship." In the spur of the moment, I decide to write this. We may be a thousand miles apart, separated by the oceans, the skies, the mountains, and any physical barrier that keeps us distant. Yet still no matter how far apart our friends might be from us, we will never forget them and the good times you shared with them even if it was just a short period of time. Hopefully, when someone leaves us behind, it is for the best. We cannot really say what opportunities lie ahead for them nor for us but we can hope that some day we will meet again. Though everything will have changed by then, our looks, our attitudes, our interests; one thing is certain, your friendship will still remain and probably grow stronger. And besides, you know you will have to go your separate ways some day. You cannot be together forever. There is still Facebook or Twitter anyways.

Goodbyes

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Nobody likes to say goodbye. Nobody likes to leave behind their friends and family. But the inevitable fact is that someday, in one way or another, we will have to bid farewell to those whom we love and care about. We will have to go our separate ways, and just hope that fate will bring us back together again. Being separated from your best friends, or those whom you consider your family, is so painful. It is like whenever you are not with them, there is something missing in you. There is a gap, a sense of emptiness that fills your heart. Many times in the past did I have to say goodbye to people whom I love, and it is such a weird feeling, like a thorn piercing through my heart. My eyes will start to well with tears. Others may not see me do so because I try to hide my feelings as best as I could. Then, when I am alone in a corner, there will I burst into tears. You will not fully realize the true value of a person until you are separated from them. Every day, things would s

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