USC (University of San Carlos) DAYS OPENING 2015

          "USC Days Opening" This is one of the most anticipated events of the USC Days. It is the time where all of the students woke up early as 3am in order to have a seat inside the gym and of course, to witness the happenings of the said event. Upon knowing this from the past two years which I wasn't able to have a seat, I make it into my mind that I should, for this year and for the first time in the third time, to really wake up early and grab a seat. Well, what really happened was not what I had in mind. 

          Later that night, I had a deep conversation with my sister and without our knowing that it was already quarter to one in the morning. So we forced ourselves to sleep and stop our conversation because we both should wake up early since it's also a class day for her. We both woke up at 4:30am and got out of the house at 6am. I arrived at school surprised by the line of students from the main door going to the gym. I know I wouldn't be able to enter the gym but because of my friends I have entered the gym and had seated comfortably.

          The event started late as usual which I felt exhausted since I haven't got the right amount of sleep. I also got annoyed by the people who always passed between me and my friend in order to get up and down. Despite of it, I managed to be patient and continue watching the event. As the event started, I really felt the energies and liveliness inside the gym. Even more exciting was when Fr. Anthony Salas has declared the Intramurals open. Then, the raising of each school's flag was kind of a thrilled part for me because each of the candidates could really raise the flag fast and I wish our team, the School of Business and Economics, would win which they really did. Adding to the smile on my face was when the crowned Mr. & Ms. Intramurals 2015 were from the Mr. & Ms. School of Business and Economics. I was so proud  for the both of them and the reason is not that I'm also a part of the team but because both of them were really talented, confident, and deserves to win. I also was much surprised when Senator Grace Poe entered the gym because I never expected that there was a guest and never was in anyone's mind expected it to happen. The traditional Carolinian wave was also witnessed by the Senator which made it more amazing and fun. There were also performances by the USC's Symphonic Band, Dance Troupe, Glee Club, and Dance Club that made the event interesting. Following through was the most awaited part of the event was the Cheerdance Competition of each of the University's schools. There were lots of death-defying leaps and twists that made me scream and    had goose bumps. Every school had given their all out performances and the only word I could describe was fantastic. The results came and the School of Arts Sciences was the champion; followed by the School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design as the first runner-up; and then the School of Business and Economics as the second runner-up.   My friend and I smiled at each other's faces when we knew that the results were the same orders as we had have guessed it. After which, the event came to an end and each one of us left the gym to continue celebrating the USC Days 2015.

          The USC Days Opening was definitely tiring for me but indeed worth watching because until now it really makes me smile and heave up my mood whenever I remember that day. Each of the school's spirit of cheering makes the place so alive. Aside from that, the performances in the event would give you goose bumps and break your jaw just like what happened to me all the time. Although there was a delay in starting the program and technical problems, the event still has managed to get back on track and made the event a successful one. Furthermore, this event challenges me to wake up early and inspired me to always be at my best just like each of the performers in the event has given.

-August 24, 2015-

Knowing Myself

1. Why do I think this way? If I were given the chance to change how I think, what would I have done?

I entered a big, new place where every girls wear dominant white skirt and a blouse with a sailor type collar while the boys wear white polo and black pants. They were wearing uniforms and there was I, one of them. I entered found my room and my teacher asked for my name because she had already put each of our names in front of our chairs. So I was seated in front and all I see was new faces. After, the bell rang, the morning prayer started and followed by the school's hymn. Our teacher greeted and welcomed us. And it started my high school life.

I can say that high school was the first step of knowing who you are. One of the memories that I can't forget was a group of five girls who I think were like one of the mean girls in every story. They always wore dress codes every Wednesday and they have this eyes that would make your head stare at the ground. One moment, I saw them standing in the hallway while I walked going there, I had no choice but to passed there because it's the only way going to my classroom. I think they had been talking behind my back because I heard my name because two of them were my classmates. I think the two that were my classmate were okay but there was this tall girl in their group that was I think was so strict. I also had this friend of mine who also thinks so too. After a year, my friend were classmates to that tall girl, my friend said that they she was not what we thought of. I agreed to my friend after I saw her with my friend joking around. My eyes really had struck them.

I realized that believing in what you think which has not yet been proved is like judging without knowing. If I were to change the way I think, I would have think that I should first know the person. Even though if I know the person, I would still not judge because every person should be respected. 

2. Why do I feel that way? If I were given the chance to change how I feel, what would I have done?

It was an early day at school and I was in my classroom. The place was so quiet and all I can hear was different noises from the streets. While waiting for classes starts, I reviewed my report from another subject in my afternoon class. I wrote a summary on my index card in order for me to bring my report well. The classes had started, all was well but it was now afternoon and the main event was of my day was now starting. At first, I really didn't felt nervous but when it was almost my time to report, my heart was beating so fast that I could not control it and so I drank my water to calm me down. Now, was really my time to report. I stood up and hold the remote control of the LCD. I greeted everyone. I did it. I finished my report but how I reported was not I was expected. I expected that I could deliver my report thoroughly but in reality I got lack of many things to say that it ended I was speaking my mother tongue.

I always feel nervous when I am in front of many people. Maybe or not maybe because it's true that I am anxious of what's gonna happen. I feel scared of embarrassment or bully. Then, I ask myself why I feel this way? Well, honestly I know that I am shy since I was in kindergarten years. I remember those years when we have a dance practice and I was the only one who can't get off of my butt on my chair. But after many days, I stood up and joined. I could not remember what moved me that time but all I know it was the right thing to do. On my 5th and 6th grade, our school holds a variety show every December to raise funds for school development. Those years started the performer inside of me. I know I can sing but dancing was the skill I developed and being able to perform on stage in front of many people. It was really the happiest moment of my life. Time passed by so quickly and I was now in high school. Although we have had reports, role-plays, and stuff like performing in front of class but I was not really into what I was in grade school. The thing that's inside of me was getting so small and it was confidence, and that's the reason I feel scared, nervous, and anxious. Also I brought it now in my first and second years in college. I hope I can overcome this throughout my life.

I realized that I let society control instead of me. I let bullies and embarrassment pull me down which it should be the reason I should be pushing up. I should've let myself take the courage to rely on what I am because confidence is first build on ourselves. If I were given the chance to change those bad feelings, I should've done all my realizations. 

3. Why did I behave this way? If I were given the chance to change how I behave, what would I have done?

It was a beautiful Monday morning. My bag was all packed and I was in my school uniform. It was my first time in school, finally I was now a kinder pupil. I was accompanied by my father in going to school. I was seated second to the front seat. Each of us introduced ourselves to our teacher. When half of the school year comes, our teacher told us that I was the most silent and behave student. I was really happy when I heard this. Then I really proved it to myself and to everyone of what my teacher has said.

Time passed by and I was now in high school. My friends and teachers also see me as a silent and behave person. When I was in third year, it was a culture in our school to handle a more like recollection event and it is called Search-In: Yes to Life. It was a 3-day and 2-night event. There was an activity called Johari Window, it was about self-awareness. Most of my classmates told me that I am not always talking like I don't always socialize and talk to them. I realized that what my classmate said were true. I was always silent to the point that I became quiet and I am not always the talkative type. I know the reason why I'm like that, it is because I'm shy and I'm kind of introvert. I'm the happiest person when I'm in our house because I can do what I want like playing guitar, listening to music, singing and dancing my own dance steps. Also, it is because my parents trained me and my siblings to always be in the house. I remember when I was still a child, my parents punished me when I went out of the house to play and visit our neighbor. So that I and my siblings will be in the house, we were trained to do chores and our house was connected to the internet and cable television. My parents did that so that if we would get out of the house, we should have a valid reason. My parents always track us to the place we are to be going. At first, I could not understand my parents of what they were doing but as I have grown, I realized that it was for our good. Maybe my parents were just scared that we might fall into wrong paths and regret later on in our life.

Now that I am Eighteen, I am fully aware of who I am. Being silent and behave will always be my nature. At the same time, I can now easily socialize and communicate to other people. If I were given the chance to change how I behave, I would not change anything because it made me who I am today and I am proud of it.
 

4. What external assistance should I seek for to improve myself?

Some external assistance that have had helped me to improve myself were my friends who influenced me to focus on my studies even more; my family who always encouraged and supported me; and most especially to God who always been there and always will be guiding me in all my decisions. Moreover, an external assistance from my teacher would be a great help to improve myself in my studies since teachers are always the second parents of the students.

Honest

One of characteristic that we are looking for a person is an honest one. Some people say it's hard to find an honest person because humans tend to lie and hide something for their own sake. As kindergarten days use to tell me, Honesty is the best policy. How can it be so easy to say and so hard to do? Why do we always tend to lie? Is this really what the world is now -- dishonest humans?

In my kindergarten years, I've always been an honest because all that was in to me was positive vibrations. I can really say I'm an angel when I remember myself. I actually envisioned myself that I will be a nun when I was in kinder. The feeling of simplicity and kindness. It was all in to me. As time pass by, from a pupil to a Grade 2 student, these second year of grade school days was the start of another side of me -- bad side if I may say. Although I was good in my studies but my conscience isn't good. Those days, I've had been involving myself to groups and fights which I always got home late and lied to parents that I was one of the cleaners in our classroom.

Here's another story of mine, I think this is not new to us, students. My classmate asked me if I studied for our test then I answered I didn't because my mind tells me that I should tell that I have studied so that I will not feel pressured. Also I don't like praises from my classmates for example "You'll surely get perfect on the test." because I know they aren't true to what they say. In other words, they just say something for the sake of saying. But maybe I'm just over thinking and judging others. I realized that there are just some people who compliment and not being sarcastic and sometimes the opposite. I learned that I should always say the truth no matter what might others think.

We are born honest and our bad choices made us dishonest. Nevertheless, always say the truth no matter what, it may put you to a punishment from your parents, guardian, or even God but that's okay because what matter most is you and your attitude. Being honest is simple yet it takes a lot of courage. Most of all, saying the truth is being honest and makes you free.

Always stood up for something good. Be HONEST. ;)

Courage

Courage is something big in every person. I think we all have it but I guess not every one of us are able to use it. I guess I am searching for the true meaning of Courage and finding answers to these questions in my head "What is Courage?, Do I have Courage?, Have I been showing myself Courage?, Why do I have to show Courage?". 

I remember when I was still a kid, I think I was 8 and it was summer when my two cousins were learning swimming. There was my brother, me, and my sister going with them. I and my sister were always in the small pool but after, I felt bored and I wanted to try the slide from the 5ft. pool so I asked my brother to accompany me and it was definitely amazing then I tried to do it myself which it took me a long time to slide because I was scared. I laugh at those moments when I think about it now. After several times going to the swimming pool, I have pass it through the fear of sliding down. I never knew what's got into me, I felt like I wanted to try something awesome after that slide thingy. My mind said that I should try swimming the 6ft. pool and so I did. My family was so amazed because I was the only kid who swam in that pool. They even throw a peso coin into the bottom and command me to get it. Those moments were one of my treasured memory.

I remember another story of my life when I was so excited to graduate high school so I could proceed to college. Time passed and I'm officially a graduate but I felt so afraid in what might happen to me when I will enter college. I was so nervous in taking the entrance exam of the University of San Carlos and doing all those procedures of the enrollment since I should be the one who will face it. Fortunately, I passed the entrance exam and I'm officially a Carolinian. I have conquer all my fears like First day as a student in a big school and most especially taking the Comprehensive Examination Level 1 in order to proceed BSA-3 which I didn't pass but I think it was meant for a reason I just don't know yet.

I still can't believe how strong was my spirit back then. I never thought that I was able to swam the deepest pool or had slid into the pool when I was 8 and had conquered all my fears in college. That willingness to achieve something different and new in my life, I can say that I have courage within me and I have been courageous in my life.

My life taught me that Courage is not the absence of fear but it is the will to go though with that fear.  The most important thing is that despite of fear, pain, and uncertainty, I still choose to be courageous in my decisions and that define who I am today and with that, I am ready to face whatever circumstances that might go in my life. I will just keep moving forward.

Being courageous is not simple because you are entering yourself into a situation where it's indefinite. Also, you are being courageous because you are trying to go through a new journey that will make you more of a better person and you know for yourself that it's worth trying for. In other words, you show courage because of love and passion. Each one of us just need to have the strength and the will to face on what might lie ahead.

To whoever reading this article, may you have the COURAGE to SMILE, LAUGH, LOVE and LIVE!

 PRAYER for COURAGE --- http://catholicgo.org/prayer-for-courage/