MANNERS: A Mirror that Shows our Portrait

"When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that his four fingers are pointing at himself."

A powerful quote about manners inspired by Louis Nizer. Indeed, we should not immediately judge a person without a firm reason. Manners is definitely, undoubtedly a mirror on one's personality. It is transmitted from generation to another through inheritance and also acquired through environmental influences. It is a network that links an individual to another person. It serves as a recipe for us to have a tasty and yummy lives. Everyone has a manners, of course. Two kinds of manners, actually. The first one is the proper and advantegeous while the second one is the displeasing behaviors. Humans as we are, we both encompass the two stated manners. Some of our Filipino values are being hospitable, God-fearing and greatful. And also we do have degrading manners like "manyana habit", "ningas kugon", not punctual and the like. But one thing that made us Filipinos different from other countries like America is that we are conservative compared to them, they are liberated.

The very first thing that pops in my mind upon reading the text is my post admired character from the Twilight Saga- Edward Cullen. Simply because he's a well-mannered person. He is almost perfect. A decent, patient, understanding and humble guy. He's definitely one of the best examples of a person possessing such impressive manners.

As for the inspiring reading text, "No One Stops To Say Thank You Anymore", I was hit and pretty embarrassed upon reading it. There are some points that absolutely made me feel ashamed of myself and one of them is located in paragraph 1, that when a homeless, very scruffy man entered a restaurant, all talk stops and everybody feels discomforted by his presence. I've experienced a similar incident when I was in Cebu last summer. While we are eating in a glass-walled restaurant, some street children,homeless individuals were passing by and sometimes stare us for a very long time. Their presence made me feel annoyed, irritated and anxious. Because it's impolite to stare, right? But the fact that these people are uneducated, I just ignored them and continue what I'm doing. What a person I was! Honestly, reminiscing what I've done makes me feel guilty. I was totally awakened by the text. I definitely salute the author, L. A. Wilson for writing such theme. Actually, we have the same perspective when it comes to the homeless man saying "thank you very much". That was the most unforgettable and astonishing part of the story. The author stated that the homeless man stopped to thank despite being desperate to escape a room full of disapproving people. He was incredible, possessing a character, a manner beyond compare. But there are some also disappointing situations cited in the text- impolite kids, rude language and the like. As the population increases, the well-mannered person suddenly decreases.

Very limited individuals of today's generation who are well-mannered. Most of the people acquired degrading attitudes. Because of some human and environmental causes which serves as factors such as poverty, injustice, unemployment and the like, people are tend or force to develop a very displeasing behavior. But then again, no one is perfect. And no person in this universe will be. Only God is the unchanging, perfect and omnipotent One. There are simple rules for us to lessen our discouraging behaviors and zoomed up our good manners. We should practice discipline and of course surrender everything to the Lord. As long as we are still living, we should develop a good relationship with God even though we can't live for a very long time. It is our responsibility, the reason why we are created and blessed with life. And most of all, cultivate the attitude of being grateful. let us not limit ourselves to say "Thank You" anymore.

Mt. Apo: Pride of the Philippines

Majestic, mysterious and breathtaking, these constitutes Mt. Apo also known as the the Philippines' highest mountain located in Davao. Upon reading the text, I was amazed by what most of the persons involved discovered and learned about the said mountain specially about the controversial snow that covered the summit. But these people noted that it is noted that it is not an ice or snow but a sulfur.

Actually, I've never been to Davao to visit Mt. Apo or to have a vacation there. If only I could and I could have the chance, but we don't have sufficient money. Someday, I'm going to set foot on that spectacular mountain and unravel its beauty. I want to experience also the feeling of being mystified by the speculated mountain and gaze its exhilarating scene.

As far as I could remember, I have not seen such mysterious and spectacular mountain in my whole life but I've seen a mountain and even lived in a mountain area. Wanna know why? Simply because my hometown is located in the deep, in the heart of jungle of Zamboanga Sibugay (joke!). Well, it seems like a jungle to me. Honestly, it is one of the remote areas of the said province. So I'm used with mountains, thick forest and the like. But when it comes to mysterious and the like, I have not yet encountered it yet.

The reading text is undoubtedly interesting. Every factual information triggers me to further read the text. I gained a lot of insights knowledge about the said mountain. I already knew about the said mountain because it is obviously popular. Reading, indeed is a tool that shares us a treasure that can never be stolen and it is the glittering knowledge that we acquire from reading.

So keep reading! Soar high Mt. Apo!

The difference between impossible and possible lies in the person's determination

"For with God, all things are possible."

A significant and extremely inspiring proverb, indeed. It clearly explains that we can do all things with the help of Christ and nothing is impossible if we only trust Him. The dictionary defines possible as that may be or may happen and accessible while impossible is unattainable. There's a total difference between the two defined words especially when it comes to person's determination.

Determination is a great factor for us to be able to make our dreams be realized. It will certainly depend on the constancy of a person whether he will turn the impossible thing to possible. Some cases are actually visible in our society. Some people are striving hard to attain, achieve their longed dreams that's why most of them are now successful and contentedly living. However, some are overpowered with their manyana habit. And with that, their determination eventually dilapidated leading to an unsubtle life.

Things are achievable, actually. If we only have the desire and extra effort. Let us not make the possible into impossible but rather convert impossible to possible within our limits of course. Let us not force ourselves on doing what is beyond our limits. Let God work every detail in our lives and turn all our trials into blessings.

What Life Is

“Life is like a rolling ball. Sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down.”

It seems familiar, right? A plain yet significant quote that all of us is absolutely experiencing and can really be applied in our current situation. Take my life for example. Now that the prelim exam is on going, I’m certainly a little bit crazy these past days about the load of requirements, quizzes, projects and most of all the tedious exams. It’s too exhausting .My schedule is positively hectic that I’m not sure what to do first. I can perceive that I’m into the lowest point of the wheel that is being held down to the extent that I can’t anymore reach the top. I can sense that these necessities are slowly killing me, torturing me as if I’m a murderer or a criminal with a very immense case. I don’t know. This is what I feel.

Are these feelings also present to other students of IIT? Is this one of the reasons why lots of students in the said institution committed suicide? Well, I’m just wondering. I can very well say that my life here in IIT is undoubtedly different from the school where I come from. When exams come, I just study and shoot, it’s already done. The exams there are just in average level compared here that is positively, definitely, mind-crashing.

Well, aside from viewing these all odds as a booming problem, I’m also looking at the positive side- that these are just challenges from God in order for me to explore and share my God-given potentials. I strongly concur that how big the problems God gave to you; it also reflects how big the unconditional love of God for you. So we must be flattered by that. I think those students who committed suicide seems to have a bigger problem that they think they can’t handle anymore. But no matter how colossal the problem that I’m handling now, I will never think of suicide as the solution for such. We must be thankful to God for He is really showing, continually blessing us the graces that we sometimes take for granted. So relating back to the quote, I am struggling to face the entire predicament in order for me to be in the top of the rolling ball and achieved my dreams in life.

Twilight Official Movie Trailer HD 2008 Kristin Stewart

Ground breaking TWILIGHT

Activity 2

"You're the most important thing to me now. The most important thing to me ever."

This was the thrilling, captivating and heartwarming statement of Edward Cullen to his lady love Bella Swan. So romantic, right?

People are talking about the anticipated movie/novel "The Twilight Saga" that's composed of Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn by the best-selling author Stephenie Meyer. Wondering why? Simply because it is different from any other vampire stories. I was stunned the way Stephenie Meyer wrote about the unquestionable and interesting novel. It is distinct from any other movie I've seen before. The suspense and romance were just balanced. The story is all about the ultimate forbidden love affair between vampire and a mortal. With regards to the movie, the characters were excellently fit for their roles especially Robert Pattinson (Edward) and Kristen Stewart (Bella). Every scene triggers not to blink your eye particularly when it comes to its fascinating effects. For those who aren't acquainted with the Twilight yet, let me share a little synopsis about it.

Isabella Marie "Bella" Swan has always been a little bit different and an accident-prone teenager. She was not expecting anything out of the ordinary to happen when she moved to live with her dad in Forks, Washington. But this where her life truly begins. There she meets Edward Cullen, a mysterious and dazzlingly handsome at her new high school. Bella soon discovers that Edward is hiding a secret, after he impossibly saves her life from a van with his super-human strength and speed. She is determined to unravel his secret, but the truth is more terrifying than she realized. Edward is a vampire. Any normal person would just keep away from him, but Edward and Bella have fallen passionately and unconditionally in love with each other. And so begins their forbidden relationship between human and vampire.

Their relationship is disturbed when another vampire coven arrives in Forks. James, a tracker vampire who is intrigued by the Cullen's relationship with a human, wants to hunt Bella for sport. Once they realize that James has bitten Bella's hand, Edward successfully sucks the poison from her bloodstream and prevents her from becoming a vampire, after which she is brought to a hospital. Upon returning to Forks, Bella and Edward attend their school prom and Bella expresses her desire to become a vampire but Edward refuses.

Truly inflaming, right? And you will undeniably perceive the story if you will watch the movie or read the novel. Some stated that they esteemed the movie most because of the effects and the gorgeous actors while others liked the novel. But for me, I love both the novel and the movie. They are just equal- astonishing, sensational and romantically filled story. I don't know why I'm addicted to it. As far as I remember, I just felt a strange feeling after watching the movie and even more when I read the novel. I keep on thinking, researching and gathering information about the said movie/novel. Even the pictures of the characters did not escape me. I am definitely crazy about it that people tend to call me as Twilight insane. Well, I accepted it because it's precisely true- I'm certified Twilight addict! But there's one thing that discouraged me, and it's about the Twilight's sequel, New Moon. I didn't really appreciate it because the story focused on the growing love between Bella and Jacob Black, a werewolf. But since it is one of Meyer's best creations, I'm slowly liking it.

I'm definitely looking forward to watch Eclipse and the last movie Breaking Dawn. For others, Twilight is just simply a movie or novel but for me, it's not. I certainly agree with what the School Library Journal stated, "Meyer knows what her fans want: thrills, chills, and a lot of romance, and she delivers on all counts."

About one thing I am absolutely positive-I'm unconditionally and irrevocably in love with the Twilight Saga, an outstanding movie/novel beyond compare.

My Personal Mission in Life

Activity 1

My Personal Mission in Life

"Outstanding people have one thing in common: an absolute sense of mission."

A ponderous and challenging quote from Zig Ziglar that is, indeed significant to all of us. Mission entails the goals and objectives of an individual. Clearly, it is our personal course in life. From the fact that we are existing and maturing, we need to embody a unique direction in life. We need to possess a mission for us to unravel the purpose of our existence.

Everyone has a mission in life, of course. Even in such small things of our daily living like cooking, we have an objective for that-to make it pleasant to eat. I, too exhibits a personal mission in life. From time to time, they are changing but I finally come up with three. First, to treasure and make the most of my college life. We all know that we are just passers by in this universe. What happened in the past will not occur again in the future. So this is what I'm trying to stress in my first mission- to value my life in college, treasure all the positive and negative experiences because they will never going to happen again. I should be thankful for my achievements and accept my failures because it will help me grow into the person who I wanted to be. Engage in social activities where I could share my God-given talents.

My second quest is to strive hard in my academic works in order for me to achieve my dreams and goals in life. This is true to every students. As a student we are absolutely trying our best and make extra effort in our studies for us to have a brilliant and advantageous future. For me, I'm earnestly studying because I desired to assist my family in our present status. I've pondered that they are positively supportive to me so that's why I should offer my achievements to them. They are my second motivators, next to God and factors why I'm doing the best that I can.

The third and my most important mission is to serve God in most possible way. As what Leo Buscaglia quoted, "our talents are the gift that God gave to us. What we make of our talents is our gift back to God." I want to serve God by not necessarily making myself as a nun but by sharing my talents to others without expecting any return. Helping those in need within my capacity. I remember so well the movie of M0ther Teresa that she perceives the poor and outcast as the face of God calling her to serve Him. I'm enlightened with that movie and called to follow God by such simple act of helping.

Imagine how powerful our personal missions into the lives of others. It could greatly affect to ones life's perspective. We should empower our attitude because "our attitude towards life determines life towards us" by Earl Nightingale. It is strongly important to ask guidance from the Divine above and offer or surrender to Him our missions for these to be acquired or come true. We should not let our failures drive away our trust to Him because He is merely testing our faith and every obstacle is a proof of His unconditional love for us. Also, by accepting our uniqueness, be contented for what God blessed us and soar high like an eagle, I firmly assure that everyone's mission will undoubtedly be achieved.