Second Chapter: The Ride

     This Grading Period is as thrilling as a carnival. It was a tiring yet exciting experience to conquer all the rides. With the Ferris Wheel of emotions, the Carousel of curiosity, to the roller coaster-like activities, I surely had a lot of fun.

     Half of the school year is in. And as I enter this carnival, a few challenges are encountered, and a lot of lessons are learned. Subject-wise, ICT taught me how Internet was accessed in various ways. In addition to this, I learned how to create and design a web page. But besides these, I learned life lessons that would help me develop as an individual.

     End of the Grading Period fast approaches, and now, challenges start to arise. 

     One of the biggest challenges was having to cope up with the activities I missed. I have not been able to attend to two weeks worth of class because of trainings and reviews for competitions. The number of requirements that need to be accomplished came in zooming like a fast roller coaster. The fact that the periodical tests are upcoming made it harder. 

     Jotting down notes was also hard because of the circumstances. I had a hard time understanding the lessons because I was not able to listen to the discussion. I only copied a few notes and I had to deal with it. A carousel of curiosity started to turn around my brain, hoping to know, gather, and understand even more information.

     Everything that happened in this quarter gave me a whole ferris wheel of moods and emotions. Sometimes, I felt like being at the bottom and just felt low. But some other time, I feel like being on top and it makes me appreciate the beauty of everything that takes place around me.

     Maybe this chapter was exhausting, but if there’s one thing it taught me, it would be coping up with the activities I missed. I learned to manage my time and divide it accordingly so that I can take the quizzes, perform the exercises and learn the lessons I missed. It taught me that when I want to conquer all the rides, I must not waste any time, and make the most of my experience. I should enjoy every ride while it lasts, because I don’t know when it will end.

     After all the rides comes the end to my carnival experience. Just like any other kid, I would not want it to end, but what I felt by the end of the day makes me want to come back everyday. I hope for more experiences in the future, because my ride this time was totally awesome. I will surely apply what I’ve learned this day in the future. I look forward to more great chapters.

All for Human Rights, Human Rights for All

     It is indeed the season to be jolly, because now, we come to celebrate the United Nations Month! It is an annual celebration to showcase different cultures from different countries and continents. This year, the theme of the celebration is “Coming together with those furthest behind to build an inclusive world of universal respect for human rights and dignity”.

     The theme ensures that no one is left behind, even those “furthest behind” are included. As it suggests, let us include everyone, not only those with influence or with power. It aims to end poverty and defend the human rights and dignity of people living in poverty, because at the end of the day, we all are human beings that live with different circumstances.

     In addition to this, the theme for this year emphasizes the recognition and respect for human rights. The issue keeps on growing, but the disrespect on human rights should stop now. The theme of UN for 2018 reminds us of this- that the dignity and rights of every human being should be respected all the time.

     The idea of human rights is as simple as it is powerful: that people have a right to be treated with dignity. Human rights are inherent in all human beings, whatever their nationality, place of residence, national or ethnic origin, color, religion, language, or any other status is. Every individual is entitled to enjoy human rights without discrimination.

     Respect for human rights should always be observed. Wether it be for the poor, the influential, the tall, or the wise ones, let us ALWAYS show our respect. Let us not rely on reminders, but let it be an everyday thing.

Heroes and Magic

     A student may stumble and fall, but she has a hero to help her stand back up. A student may not see the way clearly, but her hero is there to light her way. A student’s journey would not be successful without the guidance of her hero.

     Every September 5 to October 5, we give recognition to these heroes for burning themselves with the betterment of students in mind. We give our thanks to them because they are our second parents. This is the time when we, students, give back the efforts of these heroes. WE CELEBRATE THEM.

     From the moment we entered the school, our teachers are there to help us in every way. From counting 1, 2, 3, to singing Do, Re, Mi, to reciting A, B, C, they are there to guide us. They never get tired of teaching and molding students into the best version that us, students, can be.

     Imagine the world without teachers- there wouldn’t be architects, or doctors, or even lawyers if it isn’t for our teachers who sacrifice so much. Teaching is indeed the noblest profession, and there is magic in teaching.

     These are only a few of the reasons why we should celebrate our teachers- our heroes.

     Not only do they teach, but they also touch lives.

     And if you are reading this, thank a teacher.

Abilities, Potentials, Advancements

     The month of September is recognized as the National Science Club Month. It is being celebrated annually. This year, we celebrate the NSCM with the theme, “Wavefront: Accentuating Potentials, Activating Technological Advancements”. It aims to encourage students to maximize their potentials and create new inventions.

     Over the years, people’s lives have been greatly affected by the number of inventions and innovations that make things more convenient. Some of these are even considered as needs, as they are being used on a daily basis.

     One of the great personalities behind the development of this advanced world we are living in is Michael Faraday. He is a British scientist who developed the concept of electromagnetism which involves both electricity and magnetism. Through this concept, people are able to showcase their talents in creating inventions and developing innovations to make work more efficient.

     Let’s take for example, the speaker. It is hooked up to your new smartphone and contains a small electromagnet or voice coil inside of it, as do all devices with speakers. The electromagnet translates the electrical current into sounds you can hear by vibrating the paper cone or diaphragm. 

     With the theme, young minds are encouraged to use their knowledge and maximize their abilities in order to activate any form of technological advancement, just like the speaker, and channel their inner Michael Faraday within them.

Umbrellas, Bandages, and Juans

"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day, nor the hour."

- Matthew 25:13

     Mighty blows of wind started attacking Tacloban, Leyte, and parts of Samar, afternoon of November 8, 2013. Haiyan began throwing splashes of water, but that was just not it. It felt like rain continuously and tremendously poured. This was worsened when storm surges occurred. The trees were uprooted, and these places were extremely flooded. Children were crying, families went starving, and people went missing- some were drowned, some could not be found. Then, when the super typhoon started to calm down and exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, hundreds of communities were left devastated. Families had nothing left except for the clothes they wore that day. Haiyan only left debris.

     Philippines experiences a number of calamities as it is located near the West Basin and the Pacific Ring of Fire. The most common calamities that visit the country are earthquakes and typhoons.

     That being said, during the aftermath of the typhoon, the primary services from the Local Government Unit started within the residents themselves. Parents, teachers, as well as students lead in the distribution of relief goods. Despite the flooded roads, fallen trees, broken posts, and debris from infrastructure, they managed to deliver these goods to the areas of Leyte that were harder to reach. After a few days, a lot of places were still "underwater", but the condition was more stable. Donations from others were being distributed, and tents were being given out as temporary shelter. The community lost a lot, but not the bayanihan among the people.

     This is a concrete example to show the resiliency of the people. This exact scenario is how Filipinos bandage the wounds brought by disasters.

     But with resilience should come preparedness. Let us be reminded when Benjamin Franklin once mentioned, "An ounce of preparedness is worth a pound of cure." Let us reflect on the story of Noah a long time ago, when he encountered a death-defying calamity. That time, the storms strength was so powerful, it caused extreme floods. The forty days of rain cause water to rise so high, it covered the mountains. Fortunately, he, along with his family and two of each animal, survived. After all, it took him a hundred and twenty years to build an ark to serve as their shield against the challenges that the rain brought. He prepared, and so he survived.

     In emergency management, preparedness and resiliency of us, citizens, will ultimately prove our strength amidst any calamity. Let preparedness be our umbrella- it won't stop the rain but it would help us get through it. And let resiliency be our bandage- it won't heal the wound immediately, but it would help in the process of recovery.

     With our umbrella and bandage, we are ready to face any calamity, no matter how strong it may be.

Scavenger Hunt 2

CHALLENGE 2

Search the Internet for the following facts and information. Write your answers in the table below.

1.            What is the context of "embedded journalist"? When was it first used? Who created the term?

2.             _______________ is the only pope honored by Turkey a Muslim nation. His statue stands at center of a city square of ______________.

3.            Who designed the tallest building in Hong Kong?

4.            In September 11, 2001, two commercial airplanes commandeered by terrorist crashed and destroyed the World Trade Center in New York. Is this the first time that an airplane crashed into a skyscraper in New York?

5.            __________ is the tallest building in the world. It is located in ____________. The construction started in ________ and was finished_________.

6.            What is the meaning of tundra? Why is the Bush administration so interested with exploring and exploiting the tundra?

7.            Draw in a diagram form the metamorphosis of an "urban legend"

Item	Answer	URL	Search Engine	Search Technique
1.	Embedded journalism refers to news reporters being attached to military units involved in armed conflicts. It was first used last 2003.	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Embedded_journalism	Google	Phrase Searching
2.	Pope Benedict XV's is the only pope honored by Turkey , a Muslim nation. His statute stands in the courtyard of St Esprit Cathedral, Instanbul Turkey.	http://www.answers.com/Q/Who_is_the_only_pope_honored_by_Turkey_a_Muslim_nation	Google	Phrase Searching
3.	Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (design) Belt Collins & Associates (landscape) Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Hong_Kong	Google	Phrase Searching
4.	No	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/September_11_attacks	Google	Phrase Searching
5.	Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004, with the exterior completed five years later in 2009. The primary structure is reinforced concrete.	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burj_Khalifa	Google	Phrase Searching
6.	Tundra is a vast, flat, treeless Arctic region of Europe, Asia, and North America in which the subsoil is permanently frozen. Bush administration so interested with exploring and exploiting the tundra because their administration is looking for oil resource	https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=tundra+meaning&oq=tundra&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0l5.3200j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8 http://religion.answers.wikia.com/wiki/Why_is_the_bush_administration_so_interested_with_exploring_and_exploiting_tundra_Rephrase_question	Google	Phrase Searching
7.		https://prezi.com/xvcgfcu4wxy-/fairy-tale-fable-and-myth-venn-diagram/	Google	Phrase Searching

First Chapter: The Beginning

     Over the course of 2 months, I have learned a lot of things- specially in the field of internet and blogging. I have learned how the internet started, what it really is, and how it actually works. In addition to this, I also learned how to create and start a blog, along with it's types. These information- specially blogging- are beneficial to me as a student as it develops my writing skills, widens my vocabulary, and enhances my creativity. Furthermore, I am able to share my ideas and opinions, as well as understand those of others.

     But in the duration of learning and applying these lessons, I encountered a lot of challenges. These challenges needed to be addressed accordingly. Listed below are some of the challenges I encountered and how I faced them:

     First is being able to compose an informative article to be posted on time. During the first articles, I did not know how to start my drafts. I had difficulties in writing because I had no idea on what to put.  So to address this, I always start with an outline of the whole essay. I also research for information by surfing the internet or by interviewing others. When doing these, I find it easier to write an article.

     Another is the difficulty in managing my time. I found it difficult to manage my time considering my first challenge. I always spend a lot of time in writing because I either get distracted and get nothing done, or I start writing but I do not have an idea on what to write. As a result, I would always procrastinate in order to finish them on time. But to lessen the cases, I started to remember and write down everything that needs to be done, or to be taken note of. By doing this, I can see the tasks that need to be completed first and I would start doing it. When I see a lot of things to be done, then I would get motivated to finish them all. Plus, I wouldn't forget to do a task because all are listed.

     Overall, the First Quarter was a great chapter. Despite the challenges, the interaction within the class was amazing. I indeed learned so much- even lessons that I can apply in my daily life. Moving on, I will surely apply what I learned from the challenges that The Beginning brought. I will take note of everything in order to avoid or lessen these challenges. I look forward to more colorful and fun Quarters and Chapters from the ICT Class.

     This is the end of the First Chapter. This is how my story begins.